Banana Lassi
VegA thick banana lassi — a backpacker-café favourite in Hampi's riverside eateries.
₹60–150
Best around: Virupapura Gaddi (Hippie Island)
Eat in Hampi
What to Eat in Hampi Today?
Search Hampi dishes by craving — banana lassi, filter coffee, jolada rotti with ennegayi and more.
Food in Hampi is simple, vegetarian and cheap, shaped by two things: North Karnataka home cooking and the backpacker cafés that grew up around Hampi Bazaar and across the river. A day here often starts with masala dosa and filter coffee and ends with a banana lassi as the sun goes down.
If you are wondering what to eat in Hampi, try the regional dishes first, especially jolada rotti with ennegayi, which you will not find in most other parts of India.
Popular cravings
Diet
Best for
5 Hampi dishes found
Filter Coffee
VegStrong South Indian filter coffee — the traveller's Hampi pick-me-up.
₹20–60
Best around: Hampi Bazaar
Medium spiceJolada Rotti with Ennegayi
VegNorth-Karnataka sorghum flatbread with stuffed-brinjal ennegayi curry — hearty and rustic.
₹80–180
MildMasala Dosa
VegA crisp golden dosa with potato masala and chutneys — the reliable Hampi breakfast.
₹40–100
Best around: Hampi Bazaar
Medium spiceSouth Indian Thali
VegA banana-leaf or plate thali of rice, sambar, rasam, palya and curd — the everyday Karnataka meal.
₹80–200
Best around: Hampi Bazaar
Famous Food to Eat in Hampi
Hampi's food is mostly vegetarian, filling and made for long days out in the sun. These are the dishes to look for.
Jolada Rotti with Ennegayi
A thin flatbread made from jowar (sorghum), served with ennegayi, a curry of small brinjals stuffed with a spiced peanut and sesame masala. It is a classic North Karnataka meal and the most local thing you can eat in Hampi.
Masala Dosa
A crisp rice-and-lentil crêpe filled with spiced potato and served with chutney and sambar. It is the most reliable breakfast in Hampi before a morning at the ruins.
South Indian Thali
A plate or banana leaf of rice, sambar, rasam, a vegetable palya and curd. It is the everyday Karnataka lunch and a good, filling meal in the middle of the day.
Filter Coffee
Strong South Indian coffee brewed in a metal filter and mixed with hot milk and sugar. A cup is the usual start to a sunrise outing.
Cafés and Drinks in Hampi
The cafés around Hampi Bazaar and on Virupapur Gaddi, across the river, serve relaxed meals with rooftop or river views. A thick banana lassi is the classic order here, especially on a hot afternoon. Fresh lime soda, coconut water and fruit juices are also easy to find around the bazaar.
Food Tips for Travellers in Hampi
- Hampi is a temple town, and food around Hampi Bazaar is almost entirely vegetarian.
- Eat a good breakfast early, as you will want to be out before the heat.
- Drink bottled or filtered water and carry a refillable bottle.
- Try a jolada rotti meal at least once for a taste of North Karnataka.
- Carry cash, as smaller eateries may not take cards.
- Plan dinner on Virupapur Gaddi only if you can get back across the river before the boats stop.
Questions
Hampi — FAQ
What food is Hampi famous for?
Hampi is known for North Karnataka dishes like jolada rotti with ennegayi, South Indian favourites such as masala dosa, filter coffee and the thali, and the banana lassi served in its cafés.
What is jolada rotti?
Jolada rotti is a thin flatbread made from jowar (sorghum) flour. In Hampi it is usually eaten with ennegayi, a spicy curry of stuffed brinjals.
Is non-vegetarian food available in Hampi?
Very little around Hampi Bazaar, which is a temple area and almost fully vegetarian. For non-vegetarian food, most visitors go to Hosapete or Kamalapur.
Is the food in Hampi spicy?
North Karnataka dishes like ennegayi can be quite spicy, while dosas and thalis are usually mild to medium. Cafés are used to travellers and can make food less spicy if you ask.