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Bhavnagar is a historic city that is situated in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The vibrant coastal city boasts a rich and thriving culinary scene; some of its most finger-licking specialties include evergreen Gujarati classics in the vein of undhiyu and handvo, as well as enticing sweet treats such as sukhdi. The city is also famed for its grand thali meals, which will be explored in detail below. Visit the local establishment, Nilambag Palace Restaurant, to soak up the authentic Gujarati thali experience.
Being situated on the coast of the Arabian Sea, the cuisine of Bhavnagar is also rich in seafood delicacies. This makes the city somewhat of an anomaly in Gujarat because most of the state is renowned for its nutritious and wholesome vegetarian dishes. Seafood enthusiasts can sample ornate seafood platters, comprising a variety of specialties, including prawns, shellfish, and flavourful fish gravies, as well as mouthwatering fish fries, at a restaurant known as Blue Sea.
Take a look at the top 7 local delicacies in Bhavnagar.
Gujarati Thali
Image Credits: By Bheem3 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons
The Gujarati thali is a big hit among food lovers and aficionados everywhere. The specialty is sought-after for the effortless manner in which it combines a variety of dishes into a single, artful plate, making for a complete and fulfilling meal. A traditional thali of Bhavnagar typically comprises rice, dal, vegetable gravies called “shaak,” flatbreads, pickles, and papad. The platter also includes a sweet dish like shrikhand or gulab jamun to enable customers to end their meal on a sweet note.
Recommendations: Nilambag Palace Restaurant
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹300 approx.
Sev Tameta Nu Shaak
Image Credits: Freepik
Sev tameta nu shaak is a succulent curry-based dish that can be savoured with rice, flatbreads, or even by itself. The dish is typically prepared by blending crunchy sev, also identified as gram flour noodles, with an enticing and delightfully tangy tomato gravy. The dish is considered a specialty for its masterful blending of contrasting flavours, such as sweet, spicy, crunchy, and tangy, which helps produce a complex and multidimensional gastronomic experience that transcends merely eating for the sake of eating.
Recommendations: Swad Restaurant
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹250–300, approx.
Handvo
Image Credits: Freepik
As touched on above, handvo is a luscious and crispy mixed vegetable cake that is a delicacy throughout Gujarat. The Bhavnagar special handvo is usually crafted by combining lentils and rice; this mixture is subsequently flavoured with a host of spices, including fresh ginger and green chillies. Other ingredients used to prepare this sumptuous steamed treat include sesame seeds, curry leaves, and mustard seeds. The dish is typically sliced into triangular pieces and savoured with a spicy green coriander chutney.
Recommendations: Tea Post
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹175 approx.
Batata Vada
Image Credits: By Arthrajsinh Solanki - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons
Batata vada is a popular street food in the western states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. The Maharashtrian version, known as “vada pav,” is eaten with a roll called pav. In contrast, the Gujarati Bhavnagar variety can be consumed with or without bread. To prepare this dish, potatoes are mashed and spiced with seasonings, including turmeric and red chilli powder. The mash is then dunked in a gram flour batter and deep-fried till it becomes golden brown. Crispy and aromatic, batata vadas are served with a flavourful green chutney.
Recommendations: Meghana Vada Samrat
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹200 approx.
Gathiya
Image Credits: Freepik
Gathiya is a beloved fried snack that is a staple in Gujarati households. This tasty delicacy is made from gram flour and is usually enjoyed as an evening snack with a hot cup of tea or coffee. In Gujarat, alongside jalebi, it is absolutely vital to serve gathiya on the occasion of Dussehra annually. Due to its dry texture and bite-sized presentation, gathiya is also considered a popular travel snack. One can munch on it during long road trips without worrying about creating a mess.
Recommendations: Manubhai Gathiyawala
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹150, approx.
Fafda-Jalebi
Fafda-jalebi is an irresistible breakfast snack in Gujarat. In this dish, crispy snacks made from gram flour known as fafda, are paired with the sinful and syrupy sweet treat known as jalebi. Together, these two foods create a lovely harmony of flavours and textures, with the fafda providing bite and crunch, and the jalebi lending the palate a melt-in-the-mouth sensation. Like gathiya, fafda-jalebi can be bought from local stores; however, this specialty is still made from scratch in many Gujarati households.
Recommendations: Gokul Sweet & Farsan Mart
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹200 approx.
Sukhdi
Image Credits: By Sushant savla - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons
Sukhdi is an enchanting Gujarati sweet dish made from wheat flour, ghee, and jaggery. Also known as gol papdi or gur papdi, this dish resembles fudge in terms of appearance and texture. When it comes to flavour, the dish is quite sweet and scrumptious; it also tends to melt in the mouth owing to its soft and fluffy consistency. Although sukhdi is considered a winter special dish, it is typically savoured all year. The dish is topped off with nuts and dried fruits to lend it some crunch.
Recommendations: Taste of Bhavnagar
Type: Vegetarian
Cost for Two: ₹100 approx.
