Snack Tourism Takes Over India: Discover The Top Foodie Destinations You Can’t Miss In 2026!

Published on December 28, 2025

India’s food scene has always been characterized by a variety of tastes, textures and different types of raw materials. To get a taste of Snack Tourism in India, one has to look from the loud streets of Mumbai to the magnificent past of Amritsar; in fact, food in India is not only a means to survive but also a lifestyle. Among the new trends in tourism, which have recently become popular, a particular one is snack tourism that is now adopted by food lovers as a new way of travelling. The idea behind this unusual method of travelling is to go on small culinary short trips with the help of local, iconic and sometimes even super-local snacks and thus having an extremely immersive experience of the place’s culture through food.

Snack tourism is essentially about sampling a variety of local snacks that tell the story of a place’s history, people, and culinary traditions. Unlike traditional gastronomic tourism, which typically focuses on meals or full-course dining experiences, snack tourism is about embracing the flavours, textures, and culinary heritage embedded in street food. And with India’s diverse food landscape, it is the perfect destination for this growing trend.

Snack Tourism: A Rising Trend in India

The concept of snack tourism is not new, but it has seen a significant rise in India. Experts believe that the country’s thriving street food culture makes it an ideal destination for snack lovers. Ravi Gosain, president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), mentions that snack tourism is growing rapidly. It’s about experiencing the destination in small bites, the flavours, textures and narratives that shape local living, all in a snack.

Snack tourism, unlike traditional tourism, focuses on local delicacies and snacks that may often be overlooked. India is home to an incredibly diverse range of snacks, from the spicy chaats of Delhi to the sweet jalebis of Ahmedabad, each offering a distinct cultural experience. By sampling snacks from different regions, travellers can engage with a place’s cultural heritage in a more intimate way.

Top 5 Must-Visit Destinations for Snack Tourism in India

For those planning to explore snack tourism in India, here are five destinations that are guaranteed to tantalise your taste buds in 2026:

1. Amritsar, Punjab: The Heart of Street Food Amritsar, famed for the Golden Temple, is also a haven for foodies. The city is famous for its rich array of street snacks, most notably the Amritsari kulcha (a stuffed flatbread) and chole bhature. The bustling streets near the Golden Temple are dotted with food stalls, each serving iconic treats with rich, bold flavours that have been passed down through generations. Snack tourism here isn’t just about the food; it’s also about the stories that accompany these dishes, which connect visitors with the cultural heart of Punjab.
2. Kolkata, West Bengal: A City of Sweet Delights Kolkata’s culinary scene is a perfect blend of flavours that reflect its colonial past and Bengali heritage. Kolkata is famous for its sweets, and no snack tourism experience here is complete without trying rasgulla, sandesh, and the famous kathi rolls. These delicious snacks offer an insight into the city’s culture, with each snack telling a unique story about the region’s history and people.
3. Mumbai, Maharashtra: The Hub of Street Snacks Mumbai is known for its fast-paced lifestyle, and the street food scene here matches the energy of the city. From vada pav to pani puri, Mumbai’s snack scene is as diverse as its population. The street corners of Girgaum Chowpatty, Colaba, and Juhu Beach are famous for serving up delicious snacks that have become staples of the Mumbaikar diet. Snack tourism in Mumbai provides a chance to explore the city’s vibrant food culture in an authentic and down-to-earth manner.
4. Hyderabad, Telangana: The Spice Capital Hyderabad is a food lover’s dream, known for its rich Mughlai cuisine and irresistible street snacks. The city is famous for its biryani, but the real snack treasures lie in its markets, where you can savour mirchi bajji, punugulu, and samosas. Snack tourism in Hyderabad offers an opportunity to experience the blend of spicy and savoury flavours that have been honed over centuries.
5. Jaipur, Rajasthan: Royal Snacks for the Taste Buds Jaipur, the Pink City, offers a taste of Rajasthani royal cuisine, and its street snacks are no different. From the crispy pyaaz kachori to the sweet mawa kachori, Jaipur’s snack offerings are sure to transport you to another era. The city’s culinary delights tell the story of its royal past, where food was not only a necessity but also an art form.

State Governments Leading the Charge in Snack Tourism

As snack tourism gains momentum, several Indian states have started to take notice and invest in promoting their local snacks as a tourist attraction. The state governments of Punjab, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Telangana have already launched initiatives to promote snack tourism. They are working on developing food trails and collaborating with local street vendors to create an immersive food tourism experience that will attract both domestic and international tourists.

Additionally, the Ministry of Tourism has begun to support food-based tourism initiatives, recognising the potential of snack tourism to boost the local economy, create jobs, and preserve culinary traditions.

Snack Tourism: A Cultural and Economic Boost

Snack tourism is not only about satisfying culinary cravings; it also offers a unique opportunity to preserve and promote local food cultures. As more tourists flock to India to sample the country’s iconic snacks, this trend is expected to lead to increased investments in street food infrastructure, creating more sustainable food practices while also boosting the local economy.

By embracing snack tourism, India can continue to celebrate its diverse food culture, while offering an authentic, bite-sized journey for travellers to experience the heart of the country in a whole new way.

Final Thoughts

The year 2026 is going to be an exhilarating year for foodies, regardless of the type of India’s snack tourism industry, that is, the sweet ones, the spicy ones, or the savoury ones, which are going to show these destinations as the ones to provide gastronomic experiences that in every bite would reveal the quintessence of India’s food culture.