Which IIT Has The Best... Food? Ranking The IITs

Established in the 1950s, the IITs have come a long way since then. With world-class faculty, excellent research opportunities, and cutting-edge infrastructure, they are the go-to destination for aspiring engineers and scientists. But there's something else that attracts students to IITs—the food! 

The messes at each IIT are managed by experienced cooks and chefs who take great pride in the food they serve. The food is also incredibly diverse, with different cuisines from around the world being served at each IIT. From North Indian to South Indian, Chinese to Continental, there is something for everyone at the IITs. But which IITs are the best when it comes to the food scene?   

In this article, we'll dive right in, and find out which IITs are the best when it comes to food. The average menu at any IIT across India might look something like this: 

Breakfast 

  • Cornflakes, poha, upma, dosa, idli, vada, and paratha. 
  • Milk, tea, and coffee. 
  • Toasted bread with butter, hard-boiled eggs, and jam.
  • Omelette and scrambled eggs. 

Lunch 

  • Regular white rice, fried rice, red rice, and soy rice are always on hand. 
  • Roti, daal, kadai paneer, and mixed vegetables (in gravy or dry). 
  • Sides of salad, pickles, papad, raita, aamras (in summer), jaljeera, and lemonade.

Items like chicken handi, chicken Kolhapuri, egg curry, chicken biryani, falafel, and paneer chilli are all examples of à la carte items for which students, faculty, and staff are charged extra. 

Snacks 

  • Sandwiches made of toast, butter, and jam. 
  • Sabudana Vada, Misal Pav, Vada Pav
  • Fruits, tea, coffee, or milkshakes. 

Dinner:  The food served at dinnertime is frequently identical to that served at lunch. 

Desserts: moong daal halwa, gulab jamun, and rasgulla. 

Award for Food Excellence on Indian College Campuses 

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on offering healthy and nutritious food options on campus. Many educational institutions, like the IITs, have introduced initiatives to promote healthy eating habits among students, faculty, and staff, such as offering a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based protein sources. 

On June 7th, 2019, in honor of the first World Food Safety Day, the Indian Institute of Technology at Gandhinagar (IITGN) received the "Eat Right Campus Award," making it the first 5-star institution in the country to receive this honor.

The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) Eat Right Campus Award is given to educational institutions that demonstrate commitment to promoting food safety, health, and wellness among students, faculty, and staff. The goal of this award is to recognize and encourage institutions that are working to encourage healthy eating habits and make their campuses safe and healthy places to eat. 

After a third-party audit of all 12 messes there, IIT Roorkee was awarded the Eat Right Campus Award for 2022 for the high quality of the food it serves. The food preparation, the food served, the quality and sustainability of the food, the cleanliness of the mess, and the health of the mess workers were all evaluated in accordance with international standards and protocols for the audit. 

The award criteria included a focus on five pillars or parameters: 

  1. A well-rounded and nutritious menu.
  2. Strict adherence to food safety and hygiene standards 
  3.  Effective waste management, 
  4.  The promotion of locally sourced and seasonally appropriate foods 
  5.  Increased campus-wide knowledge of the importance of both. 

Food served on campuses in India, such as at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), can vary widely depending on the specific institution and its location. 

  • Meal planning: Each IIT has a dedicated nutritionist who monitors the food being served and makes sure that it is healthy and balanced. The nutritionists make sure that each dish is cooked well and is rich in essential nutrients. 
  • Midnight cravings: At IIT Bombay, canteens are an essential part of every student's routine, serving food until 3:30 in the morning. The canteens stock the fifth meal of the day, the late-night snack, and something to satisfy the midnight munchies. 
  • Street food: IIT campuses may also have food carts or stalls like Domino's on campus that offer a range of snack items, such as pizza, chaat, and samosas, as well as sandwiches, wraps, and other quick and convenient options. 
  • Specialty options: Some IIT campuses may also have gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan meals for people who have dietary restrictions. 

So, which of the IITs is set to win the Eat Right Campus award for 2023? IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Bombay, and IIT Roorkee all offer a variety of dishes, healthy food options, delicious tastes, and great student messes.