Sambalpur is a place of culture, handloom practices, temples, and the grand Hirakud Dam. But the city is not simply restricted to tourist attractions, as it holds a strong food identity. A food trail in Sambalpur will introduce you to simple, locally sourced food items full of traditional spices and regional flavours. You can try out some of the classics of the region that include Odia meals, sweets, snacks, and family restaurants.
Odia cuisine is known for its balance of ingredients and sharp flavours. It comprises mainly staples like rice, dal, vegetables, mustard, curd, local spices, and seasonal produce. Other dishes such as pakhala bhata, dalma, santula, kanika, chhena poda, and other milk-based sweets are also a part of Odisha’s larger food culture.
Start with an Odia Thali
To begin your food trail, you have to begin with the classic Odia to understand the region’s food. It generally includes rice, lentils, vegetable curry, fried snacks, pickle, and local sweets. You can also customise your thali based on your dietary choices and preferences.
What to try: Dalma, santula, saga bhaja, tomato khatta, rice, and seasonal vegetables.
Why it works:
- The flavours are light and balanced to satisfy your appetite. This is a suitable lunch option for travellers.
Try Pakhala Bhata
Summers are a convenient time to indulge in the pakhala, which is a must-try. The dish consists of fermented or water-soaked rice served with curd, salt, green chilli, roasted vegetables, and fried items. The recipe creates a cooling effect during warm summer afternoons and is deeply connected with Odia homely food.
Best for: Lunch on a hot day.
Taste profile: Mild, cooling, earthy, and refreshing.
Popular Street Snacks in Sambalpur
Once you are in Sambalpur, it is important to try the wide range of snack options the city presents. Small snack shops and sweet shops are scattered across the town, where you can try samosa, kachori, dahi bada, chaat, ghugni, dhokla, mixture, ganthia, and other quick bites. Piplani’s Sweets in Golbazar is known locally for snacks and sweets among both tourists and the residents. Some of the listed items and special mentions include dahi bada, samosa, kachori, chaat, kulfi, lassi, mixture, and sweets.
Dahi Bara and Aloo Dum
Dahi bara aloo dum is one of Odisha’s most loved street food items that visitors should try. The soft lentil dumplings are soaked in curd and complemented by the spicy potato curry. The dish has a distinct sweet, spicy, tangy, and cooling taste ideal for bingeing on a breezy evening. The dish of Dahi Bara and Aloo Dum is now gaining popularity across the neighbouring cities and states, like West Bengal, as well.
Best time to eat: Morning for breakfast and evening snacks.
Best for: Travellers looking for affordable and filling street snacks to satisfy midday cravings.
Chaat and Kachori
Visitors can indulge in chaat, kachori, or samosa from local stalls. These items are simple but tasty, making them suitable for evening snacks. Look for stalls that have steady crowds and fast service to indulge in quality kachori and chaat platters.
Food tip:
- Choose places with fresh turnover so you can enjoy a good dish.
- Avoid fried kachori or chaat items that look like they have been sitting for too long.
Regional Sweets in Sambalpur
Odisha is popular for milk-based sweets and desserts, especially in areas like Sambalpur. When travelling to places like Sambalpur, you should first search for chhena poda, rasagola, chhena sweets, soan papdi, kulfi, and local mithai. Some of the popular sweet outlets in this area include Piplani’s Sweets and New Delhi Sweets, which are among the A-listed spots for sweets and snacks in Sambalpur. New Delhi Sweets is situated near the G.M. College area and serves dishes like mithai, street food, snacks, and beverages.
What to try: Chhena poda, rasagola, kulfi, lassi, soan papdi, and seasonal sweets.
Best for:
- Suitable for sitting and enjoying an evening dessert
- Takeaway gifts and hampers are also available as souvenirs.
Where to Stay During a Food Trip to Sambalpur?
If you are exclusively visiting Sambalpur to engage in a food trail, then try to find accommodation near the city centre, railway station, Budharaja, Golbazar, or Ainthapali side. Some of the popular hotels in Sambalpur include Regenta Inn Sambalpur, Hotel Sheela Towers, and The Grand SIBA. While Regenta Inn is described as a corporate business-class hotel with dining and meeting facilities, you can also book Sheela Towers, located in the heart of the city. It offers services for business travellers and families, such as in-house dining options, Wi-Fi, and parking.
When seeking hotels in Sambalpur, select places that give easy access to markets, restaurants, and transport points. This reduces the exhaustion of roaming the city during your culinary expeditions.
