Where to Eat in Nalanda
Nalanda has a handful of plain eateries, not a restaurant scene. Plan your meals around where you will be, and do not expect anything open inside the ruins.
2 places
Nalanda
1 place
Pawapuri
1 place
Silao
Not sure what to order? The Nalanda food guide starts from the dishes — what each one is, when to eat it, and which of these kitchens is known for it.
Near the ruins
The approach road to the ruins has small cafés and dhabas serving Bihari thalis, litti chokha and tea. Nalanda Café is listed near the site entrance for litti chokha and sattu paratha, and it is handy before or after your walk. Hotel Ashok Restaurant, near the Xuanzang memorial, serves Bihari and North Indian meals and is one of the few places here with non-vegetarian food.
Eat before you go in. There are no food stalls inside the ruins, and a full circuit takes two to three hours.
In Silao
Silao Khaja House is on the road between Nalanda and Rajgir, in the town famous for khaja. Many shops here sell the same sweet; the point is to buy it fresh. Stop on your way back to Rajgir and pick up thekua too.
At Pawapuri
Pawapuri Bhojanalaya is a pure-vegetarian eating house near the Jain temples, serving simple satvik thalis. Jain food avoids onion, garlic and root vegetables, so expect plain dal, rice, rotis and seasonal greens. Meals at Jain eating halls are usually served at set times and may stop before sunset, as many Jains do not eat after dark. Ask when lunch is served when you arrive.
For more choice
Rajgir, 12–15 km away, has more hotels with restaurants, and Bihar Sharif, about 13 km away, has busy market eateries. If you are staying in Rajgir, it is often easier to have dinner there.
Good to know
Bihar has banned the sale of alcohol since 2016, so no restaurant here will serve it. Carry some cash for small stalls and auto-rickshaws. Carry bottled water, especially in summer. See what to eat for the dishes and what makes each one worth ordering.
Questions
Nalanda — FAQ
Where should I eat in Nalanda?
4 places are listed here, across 3 areas. Each entry says what that kitchen is known for rather than reprinting its menu, so pick by the dish you want and the area you'll be in.
Are there good vegetarian restaurants in Nalanda?
Yes — 3 of the places listed are pure vegetarian, and the food-type badge on every card tells you before you set out.
What should I order in Nalanda?
Start from the dishes rather than the restaurants — the Nalanda food guide covers what each dish is and when to eat it, then links to the places that do it well.
Is there anywhere to eat inside the Nalanda ruins?
No. There are no food stalls inside the site. Eat on the approach road before you go in, and carry water and a snack.
Can I get non-vegetarian food in Nalanda?
A little. Hotel Ashok Restaurant serves both veg and non-veg, but most places near the ruins and all eateries at Pawapuri are vegetarian. Rajgir and Bihar Sharif have more choice.
Can I get a beer with dinner in Nalanda?
No. Alcohol has been banned across Bihar since 2016, and restaurants do not serve it.