Agra Food Guide: Petha, Mughlai and Where to Eat

Agra food guide: petha, bedai and jalebi, Mughlai curries, chaat and where to eat near the Taj Mahal, with tips for first-time visitors.

By the Lux India Tours Team·Oct 19, 2026

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Cubes of orange kesari petha, the Agra sweet, in close-up

Agra is more than the Taj Mahal, and its food is part of the reason. The city is famous for petha, a sweet of candied ash gourd, and for Mughlai cooking that still follows the old courts. Breakfast, chaat and sweets matter as much as dinner.

This guide covers what to try and the kinds of places to try it in.

Kesari petha, an Agra sweet.

Dish	What it is	When
Petha	A translucent sweet of ash gourd, plain or flavoured	Any time, as a gift
Bedai and jalebi	A fried bread with spiced potato, then a hot jalebi	Breakfast
Mughlai curries	Rich dishes with cream, nuts and slow cooking	Dinner
Chaat	Tangy street snacks	Late afternoon
Kebabs and biryani	Charcoal grills and rice dishes	Dinner

Petha

Petha is Agra's signature, and you will see shops everywhere. The plain version is soft and clear, and there are many flavours, including kesari, paan and dry-fruit versions. Sample a piece before you buy, and choose a busy shop with fresh stock. It is a good gift because it travels well in a sealed box.

Plain petha from Agra.

Breakfast: bedai and jalebi

The classic Agra breakfast is bedai, a puffed bread served with a spiced potato curry, followed by a hot jalebi. It is cheap and filling. You will find it at small stalls in the old city in the early morning.

Mughlai

Agra was a Mughal capital, and its restaurants keep the tradition alive. Look for kebabs, rich gravies, naan from a tandoor and biryani. The Taj Ganj area and the main roads near the fort both have options, from simple eateries to hotel dining rooms.

Chaat and street food

Agra's chaat is tangy and popular. Try tikki, golgappa and papdi chaat at busy stalls near the main markets, such as Sadar Bazaar and Kinari Bazaar. Pick stalls with a crowd and food cooked in front of you.