Varanasi is a paradise for sweet lovers, with a tradition of sweet-making that goes back centuries. The city is famous for its chikki (peanut and jaggery bars), malaiyo (a seasonal milk dessert), rabri, and an incredible variety of traditional Indian sweets. Here is where to find the best sweets in the city.
Key Takeaways
- Must-Try Sweets from Varanasi
- Best Sweet Shops
Must-Try Sweets from Varanasi
Banarasi chikki is the signature sweet—a crunchy bar made from peanuts, jaggery, and sesame seeds. Malaiyo is a seasonal delicacy available only in winter, made from milk foam flavored with saffron and cardamom.
Other must-tries includeBanarasi rabri (thickened milk with nuts), peda (milk fudge), and the famous thandai (spiced milk drink) during Holi season.
Banarasi Chikki
Crunchy peanut-jaggery bars, 100-300 per pack
Malaiyo
Seasonal milk foam dessert, winter only, 50-100 per serving
Rabri
Thickened milk dessert, 80-200 per bowl
Best Sweet Shops
Madhurima Sweets, Bhikharam, and Das Pedawala are legendary names in Varanasi sweets. For chikki specifically, look for shops near Dashashwamedh Ghat that have been making it for generations.
Quick Tips
Try chikki for crunch, malaiyo in winter, rabri year-round. Madhurima and Bhikharam are top shops. Buy sealed packs for travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
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