Sarafa Bazaar Indore

Indore being Madhya Pradesh’s business capital, it might as well be called the food capital too. Indore is a city that prides itself on its food. It’s the only city that I can think of where they have a whole street famously called ‘Sarafa’ that serves the tastiest vegetarian snacks, chaat, and sweets right from 8 pm up to 2 at night, converts into a fully pedestrian one with people from Indore and tourists in equal numbers visiting it at night. Needless to say that it’s completely safe to go there and the experience is something we would recommend every foodie to take at least once in your life. The street food of Indore has its roots based in recipes from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. These three combined will serve to give you a delicious meal that will have you smiling all day!

History & Belief

The streets behind Rajwada in Indore are crowded jewellery Market in the daytime and hence name Sarafa Bazaar which started in early 19th century, however, no one is sure of the origin of the night food bazaar. Some believe it started some 100 years back and was encouraged by jewellery shop owners so that their shops were secured even post midnight. With this in mind they willingly started offering front space of their shop to food vendors and thus Night Food Bazar came in existence ensuring the streets are empty only for few hours in the early morning.

The tick off list for Sarafa must include dishes such as Garadu, Khopra Pattice, Batla Kachori, Bhutte ki kees and the best of North Indian sweets such as Malpua, Moong daal halwa, Rabri, Kulfi, Kesariya doodh and Gulab jamun. Do not miss Joshi ke dahi bade (since 1977), Nagori ki Shikanji, Rajhans ka Daal bafla before closing the night’s gluttony with Anna ka paan.