‘Surat nu jaman ane Kashi nu maran’, said someone once. ‘Tathastu’, reciprocated God.
Every city has its own constituent elements, which makes it what it is. These elements are more or less, responsible for cultivating the city, its people and its culture.
With Surat, one of the primary pillars it stands upon, is its food and its many cuisines.
It spreads love, it brings people closer, and above everything, it gives each one an unparalled self satisfaction, which brings a big smile of contentment effortlessly on the face.
This blog post is a token of appreciation to this same foodie spirit of Surat.
If you love food and want to send you pallets on a fiesta filled with glory, this what a ‘Foodie’s day out in Surat’, would look like.
- It’s 7 in the morning, and ‘Garam Cha’ is what the morning is all about for a lot of Surtis. Tea brewed till strong, with milk and spices, brought to boil at least twice, dark in color and enthralling in aroma, it’s a thunderbolt for your senses.Our suggestions-: Khalil’s tea, Chowk. Vijay, near Dhiraj Sons at athwagate. Anna opposite chowpaty, outside PT Science college gate.
- Locha is every Surti’s favorite word and every Surti’s most sought after breakfast option. Cooked to somewhere between raw ‘Chana Dal no lot’ to ‘Khaman’, absolutely hot and steaming is how you have it. Served with an assortment of chutneys and raw onioins, over the years Italian, Chinese, Mexican and Cheese options[cheese for Surti is like Gold for Malayalees] of Lochas have also come into existence. Heavy Breakfast-Check. Time, 8 am.Our suggestions: Mahalaxmi, Bhatar, Sreeji Locha, near Jani Farsan.
3. South Indian food in this part of Gujarat, has its own funk added to it. The Sambhar is sweet, the chutney a little more Surti. Furthermore, here too there are cheese laced varieties of items. A few hours post your carbohydrate rich breakfast, lets just say 11-11:30, you can head out for a nice South Indian brunch at a few places across the city. South Indian, with its own spectacular uniqueness.
Our suggestions: Sainath, at Nanpura. Mysore Cafe, Athwa Gate. Muthu Dosha[only in the evening]opposite Reliance Mall, Vesu.
- A little while later, when your stomach starts churning again, it’s time to sit down and treat yourself royally. Within the city, there are a number of old school family restaurants. Quiet places, with good food served quickly, Chinese and Punjabi, and Mexican and South Indian, an entire family preferring differing cuisines can feast here.Our Suggestions: Jalaram Khichdi at Majura Gate for Khichidi Kadhi, Gujarati Food. Aathithya near old RTO.
For your sweet tooth, head out to Kailash or Makhan Bhog. Ice cream at Cremery or cup cakes at LSD is also a very viable option.
Brace yourselves, for it’ll indeed hit you.
- A nap or a movie later, when your taste buds is really craving for some chutzpa, head out to the streets and laaris serving you bhel, panipuri and long list of other sweet, sour and spicy dishes shall be found at your service. Light, but filled with energy, it’ll help you gain enthusiasm and the much required power, cause dinner time is the full throttle jalsa time.Our suggestions: Chowpaty at Athwagate. Bachubhai bhelwala, Tirupati Plaza, Athwagate.
- As the sun sets, the streets start coming to life. Laaris are thronged on road sides, and people swarm around them, like honey bees searching for nectar. ‘Chal, Anda Khava’ is like music to everyone in Surat. Boiled and raw, dry and with gravy, served with pav or roti; gulp it down with some Sosyo. Sorcery is the best word to describe it, and the ones to make it are nothing less.Our suggestions: Manoj at New Citylight. Chandan at udhna Darwaja. Caribbean Fry at Mr Egg is highly recommended too.
- When things get too hot to handle, resort to the slurpy, ever soothing sweetness. Multi flavored cold coffes, ice creams and kulfis are rated high on satisfaction levels. One the such favorite post dinner pavilion for Surtis is Sampoorna at Piplod.
Hazelnut Cold Coffee at The Hideout is also really great, Sizzling brownie with Ice Cream Sizzling Salsa is an another hit.
- No day is complete without ‘Midnight munching’. Fortunately for foodies, the SMC Food Plaza remains open into the late hours of the night, where new and upcoming restaurateurs from Surat have opened their doors to us.
- After everything, before you retire back home, a tea at Chamunda is what seals the day. In the pre facebook era, and to an extent even now, this is where all of the night’s social networking activity of the city is concentrated around. A day that began with tea, ends with it.
- With so much satisfaction inside your body, a sound sleep is what’s next on the to do list.
If you have such lists pertaining to anything and everything in the city, we are all eager to collaborate.
Let us know. 😀