Vijayawada is a great city for anyone who loves Andhra food. Meals here are generous, spicy and full of local flavor. Rather than chasing one famous restaurant, it helps to know the dishes to look for and the areas where you will find them.
Dishes to try
- Andhra meals: rice with several curries, pappu (dal), pickles, curd and ghee, usually served on a plate or banana leaf.
- Gongura: a tangy sorrel-leaf dish, served as chutney or cooked with meat.
- Pesarattu: a green gram crepe, often served with upma or ginger chutney.
- Ulava charu: a rich horse gram soup that is a regional specialty.
- Biryani: Andhra-style versions tend to be hotter than Hyderabadi biryani.
- Bobbatlu: a sweet stuffed flatbread.
Where to go
- MG Road (Bandar Road): a central strip with restaurants of every kind.
- Governorpet: a busy commercial area with long-established eateries.
- Labbipet and Benz Circle: popular with families and younger diners, with newer cafes and restaurants.
- Near Prakasam Barrage and the riverfront: good for an evening outing.
Tips for eating out
- Ask for less spice if you are not used to Andhra heat.
- Go early for popular breakfast spots, since items can sell out.
- Choose busy places, where food turnover is high.
- Check recent reviews and opening hours before you travel.
