Medium spiceDal Bafla
VegA Malwa-Bundelkhand cousin of dal-baati — boiled-then-baked wheat baflas drenched in ghee with dal.
₹120–300
Eat in Khajuraho
What to Eat in Khajuraho Today?
Search Khajuraho dishes by craving — dal bafla, jalebi, kadhi bhaat and more.
Khajuraho is a good place to try the everyday food of Madhya Pradesh and the Bundelkhand region: wheat, lentils, yogurt, ghee and plenty of sweets. Most of it is vegetarian and simply cooked.
The town also has many cafés that cook for foreign visitors, so if you are wondering what to eat in Khajuraho, start with the local dishes you will not find on every menu, like dal bafla, kadhi bhaat and a morning plate of poha with hot jalebi.
Popular cravings
Diet
Best for
5 Khajuraho dishes found
Medium spice
Jalebi
VegCrisp, syrup-soaked jalebi coils — the sweet half of the MP poha-jalebi breakfast.
₹40–120
MildKadhi Bhaat
VegA gentle yogurt-and-gram-flour kadhi over rice — everyday Bundelkhand comfort food.
₹80–200
Mawa Bati
VegA deep-fried khoya (mawa) dumpling soaked in syrup — a festive Bundelkhand-Malwa sweet.
₹40–100
MildPoha Jalebi
VegSoft spiced flattened-rice poha with a side of hot jalebi — the classic Madhya Pradesh breakfast.
₹30–90
Best around: Opposite the Western Group
Famous Food to Eat in Khajuraho
Food in this part of Madhya Pradesh is filling and mostly vegetarian. Try these dishes during your visit.
Dal Bafla
Balls of wheat dough that are boiled, then baked or fried, broken open, soaked in ghee and served with dal. It is a cousin of dal baati and makes a heavy, satisfying lunch.
Poha Jalebi
The classic Madhya Pradesh breakfast: soft flattened rice cooked with mild spices and often topped with sev, served with hot jalebi on the side. It is quick, cheap and best eaten early.
Jalebi
Crisp spirals of batter, fried and soaked in sugar syrup. Eat them hot from the pan, on their own or as the sweet half of poha jalebi.
Kadhi Bhaat
A mild, slightly sour curry of yogurt and gram flour, poured over rice. It is everyday comfort food and a good choice on a hot day.
Mawa Bati
A festive sweet made from mawa (reduced milk solids), often filled with chopped nuts, then deep-fried and soaked in sugar syrup. Think of a large, rich gulab jamun.
Breakfast, Snacks and Cafés in Khajuraho
Start the day with poha jalebi from a stall or sweet shop in the market, and keep tea and snacks for the breaks between temple groups. The cafés and restaurants on Main Road, opposite the Western Group, are handy for a cold drink or lunch after a morning at the temples. For restaurant ideas, see where to eat in Khajuraho.
Food Tips for Travellers in Khajuraho
- Eat poha jalebi early, as stalls often sell out by mid-morning.
- Try a vegetarian thali for dal, vegetables, rice and bread in one meal.
- Ask for less spice if you prefer mild food; most kitchens will adjust.
- Drink bottled or filtered water, especially in the summer heat.
- Carry some cash for small eateries and sweet shops.
- Vegetarians will find plenty to eat, as most local dishes are meat-free.
Questions
Khajuraho — FAQ
What food is Khajuraho famous for?
Khajuraho is known for the local food of Madhya Pradesh and Bundelkhand, such as dal bafla, kadhi bhaat, poha jalebi and mawa bati. Most of these dishes are vegetarian.
What is dal bafla?
Dal bafla is made of wheat dough balls that are boiled, then baked or fried, soaked in ghee and eaten with dal. It is similar to dal baati and is usually eaten as a filling lunch.
What is the best breakfast in Khajuraho?
Try poha jalebi, the classic Madhya Pradesh breakfast of lightly spiced flattened rice with hot jalebi. Stalls and sweet shops sell it in the morning, and it often runs out by mid-morning.
Is Khajuraho food spicy?
Most local dishes are mild to medium. Kadhi bhaat and poha are gentle, while dal bafla can be spicier depending on the dal. Most restaurants will reduce the spice if you ask.