The cuisine of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is a good representative of the Awadhi traditions of Northern India. Uttar Pradesh is proud of its Nawab dishes, diverse flavors, authentic recipes, and delectable items that help redefine exotic cuisine for foreigners. Delicacies from Uttar Pradesh have crossed over to many parts of the word such as pakora and samosa. In Hinduism, Varanasi is revered as the holiest of the seven sacred cities and believed to have been the place where the Buddha founded Buddhism. Varanasi is also an important cultural center, and because it is a pilgrimage site, the city’s restaurants are veterans at feeding guests. As this sacred city awaits your discerning palate, check out our list of the best rooftop restaurants in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. While you’re at it, be sure to look at the best hotels and heritage hotels if you don’t have a place to stay for your trip yet.
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1. Tantra Rooftop Restaurant
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Tantra-Terrace Lounge on Tuesday, February 14, 2017
The lovely interiors of Tantra Rooftop Restaurant put you in the mood to sample its delectable menu. The place is one of the top restaurants in Varanasi. It’s an exceptional spot with high marks for ambiance, service, and value for money. It’s not always easy to serve guests on a rooftop location, but the staff and managers of Tantra Rooftop Restaurant manage this with flair and efficiency. The enticing aroma will remind you of the exotic streets of Varanasi. You will be seated comfortably on a roof deck in the company of family, so there’s nothing left but to dig in and enjoy.
Tantra Rooftop Restaurant
Address: P-5, Anandbagh, Bhelupur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221010, India
Website: Tantra-Terrace Lounget
Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (daily)
2. Shri Guest House & Roof Top Restaurant
Near Dashashwamedh Ghat, one of the top romantic places in Varanasi, is a two-star hotel and dining place known as Shri Guest House & Roof Top Restaurant. Sri Guest House is an inn that you will find in an area where pilgrims take part in the Ganga Aarti ceremony at dusk. This ritual prayer is offered by priests to Ganges River. The restaurant on the building’s roof deck serves food throughout the day. You might think the menu features only Uttar Pradesh cuisine but you will also find continental, Asian, and European dishes here. The menu comes with beverage options that complement the many tastes and preferences of people who visit the famous ghat nearby.
Shri Guest House & Roof Top Restaurant
Address: 17/122A Dashashwamedh Ghat Road Near Maa Ganga Temple, opp. Jal Police, Near Dashaswmedh Ghat, Bangali Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
3. Ganga View Cafe & Restaurant
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Ganga View Cafe & Restaurant stands proudly near Chausatti Ghat on the banks of Ganges River, one of the historical places in Varanasi. This open-air cafe is a place to chill for locals. Word gets around really quick when a place serves fresh and delicious foods, and so foreigners often find their way here to sit for a good meal and enjoy the view. As soon as you are seated, expect to be surrounded by the stunning beauty of Varanasi. Take your time and enjoy the food served. Don’t forget to compliment the staff for the homemade food that never fails to satisfy. You absolutely have to visit Ganga View Cafe in Varanasi for a mind-blowing gastronomic experience.
Ganga View Cafe & Restaurant
Address: Chausatti Ghat at Sita Guest House, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
Opening hours: 8am - 11pm (daily)
4. Ganpati Restaurant
Aside from sitting in a restaurant with a view, you also get to sip an excellent artisanal beer here. Ganpati Restaurant, at the very top of Ganpati Guest House, serves good coffee and tea as well. Ganpati Restaurant serves good Indian food by any standards and specializes in vegetarian cuisine. They also serve European and Middle Eastern foods for variety. Make the trip and be rewarded with wholesome food and amazing vistas of Ganges River. Your dietary requests will be accommodated gladly by the staff, so let them know if you have allergies and specific requirements.
Ganpati Restaurant
Address: D 3/24 Meer Ghat Ganpati Guest House, Varanasi 221001 India
Website: Ganpati Guesthouse
Opening hours: 7am - 11pm (daily)
Varanasi Tour Guide
Ashish Kumar
My name is Ashish Kumar, and I am working as a tour guide in the Buddhist field in India. I am from Bodhgaya Bihar where Lord Buddha got enlightenment under a Bodhi tree. Guiding is an interesting and meaningful job. Bodhgaya is one of the most Buddhist spiritual destinations, attracting thousands of tourists and devotees from all over the world. I am an IITTF and Bihar Gov. approved tour guide... Read more
5. Rajat's Roof 80 Restaurant
Appetizingly good food served in a spacious rooftop restaurant with a memorable ambiance. That is the promise of Rajat’s Roof 80 Restaurant to customers, and it delivers. Known as a fusion restaurant, Rajat’s Roof 80 is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists visiting nearby Assi Ghat. This rooftop restaurant near Assi Ghat has an extensive menu that features Indian, vegetarian, Chinese, and Italian dishes among others. At this time, dine-in service is available, and you can expect healthy and tasty food served on your table.
Rajat's Roof 80 Restaurant
Address: B 1/129A, Assi Ghat Rd, Near Assi Ghat, Anandbagh, Dumraon Colony, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
Website: Rajat’s Roof 80 Restaurant
Opening hours: 9am - 10:30pm (daily)
6. B - 4 Cafe & Rooftop Restaurant
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by B - 4 Cafe & Rooftop Restaurant on Saturday, May 19, 2018
Spacious roof-level seating awaits your party at B - 4 Cafe & Rooftop Restaurant. After hours of exploring the many things to do and places to visit in Varanasi, you’d be wanting to sit down in a relaxing place. This restaurant with a view in Varanasi is a place where food is served warm and on time. The chicken curry comes highly recommended, so start with that. You will meet a dedicated team of managers and cafe staff who serve their customers to the best of their ability. You can hang out until the late hours to watch the city transform magically from day into night.
B - 4 Cafe & Rooftop Restaurant
Address: B4, 30, near Junna Akhada, Hanuman Ghat, Bangali Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
Website: B - 4 Cafe & Rooftop Restaurant
Opening hours: 8am - 11pm (daily)
7. Dolphin Restaurant
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Dolphin Restaurant is a casual dining place that serves continental and local food. You will find the restaurant at Rami Guest House in Varanasi. The view from the roof deck is remarkable, so better grab a table when you can. Dolphin Restaurant is usually busy being located at Manmandir Ghat which is right next to Dashwamedh Ghat. From there, you will still be able to witness the evening Aarti at Dashwamedh in comfort and away from the crowds. Dolphin Restaurant offers tasty vegan and vegetarian food. They offer high-quality foods and beverages from many cultural traditions including Continental, Chinese, and tandoori foods. Order paneer tikka and pizza together to find out they are prepared equally well!
Dolphin Restaurant
Address: D 16/30, opposite Rashmi guest House, Manmandir Ghat, Bangali Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
Website: Dolphin Restaurant
Opening hours: 7.30am - 10pm (daily)
8. Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe on Sunday, February 14, 2021
Enjoying a meal at a riverside patio on the banks of Ganges is a pleasant way to spend time in Varanasi. Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe, as the name suggests, serves Italian and Indian cuisine. Get the best of both worlds from an elevated vantage point. You probably do not expect thin crust, wood-fired pizza so near Assi Ghat. You can also gratify your sweet cravings with the cafe’s sumptuous apple pie, and tell the waiter you want a scoop of ice cream on top of it. Whenever you plan to visit Varanasi, find time to dine in the first pizzeria of India which was established in 1992.
Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe
Address: B-1/178, Assi Ghat Rd, Shivala, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
Website: Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe
Opening hours: 7am - 10pm (daily)
9. The Tower Rooftop
Varanasi (also known as Benaras) is a historic city with riverside steps known as ghats. Shivala is one of the 88 ghats fronting Ganges River. The Tower Rooftop is in the vicinity of Shivala Ghat which is a peaceful neighborhood steeped in tradition. You can sit down for a meal at The Tower Rooftop while contemplating the numerous myths and legends associated with the ghats. Folklore and spiritual beliefs are largely intertwined. Perhaps you can ask the lovely staff of The Tower Rooftop if they know stories associated with Varanasi’s holy ghats.
The Tower Rooftop
Address: B2/28, Shivala, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
Opening hours: 1am - 11am (daily)
10. Brown Bread Bakery
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
~ Insalata di Riso ~
Posted by Brown Bread Bakery on Sunday, February 10, 2019
If you’re a tourist in Uttar Pradesh and desperate for European and continental flavors, the best place to dine is at Brown Bread Bakery in Varanasi. They have bread, cakes, and cheeses of such variety, you might think you’re transported to a boulangerie in France by the smell alone. This establishment is proud to be the “first organic bakery and restaurant in Varanasi,” and they do their best to live up to expectations. A European breakfast order should tide you up handsomely. They serve delicious Awadhi cuisine as well, so try that another time. The bakery supports an international charity. Learn more about this noble cause when you come to visit.
Brown Bread Bakery
Address: D 25/42 Ganga Mahal, Bangali Tola Rd, Pandey Ghat, Bangali Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
Website: Brown Bread Bakery
Opening hours: 7am - 10pm (daily)
Witness life unfold in Varanasi
Varanasi is the “City of Life,” and the purifying Ganges River flows through it. It offers plenty of dining options, from delicious street foods to the best biryani. When you sit for a spell on a rooftop restaurant along Ganga, you have a unique vantage point. Make the most of the opportunity to see daily life centered on faith and pilgrimage unfold before your very eyes.
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