Culture and cuisine are two highlights of the city of Ahmedabad, and not necessarily in that order. Food is so large a preoccupation that places in New Ahmedabad are actually known by the restaurants located in the area. Eating out is the most popular form of entertainment and has been en vogue since times immemorial.
In the past, when the city was confined to Old Ahmedabad, Manek Chowk was the prime area for eating out. At the time, I was told, there was no concept of restaurants and street fare was the order of the day. Then slowly the restaurant concept settled in.

Ahmedabad caters to every taste from home cooked Gujarati thalis to exquisite gourmet meals. The predominantly vegetarian Gujarati cuisine with its dal, bath, roti, dhokla, kadhi, and theplas is irresistable. Add to this the delights of Srikhand and Doodhpak and the rich flavours of Undhyoo.
For an authentic Gujarati experience order a Thali in any Gujarati restaurant in Ahmedabad. Choose between Spicy North Indian flavours or delicious South Indian food. If you fancy Chinese cuisine, Thai food or Continental fare, not to miss out on Pizzas and Burgers, Ahmedabad has it too. Explore and eat at the Law garden and the C. G. Road municipal market eateries to experience the real Amdavad. And while you are at it see for yourself how dearly Amdavadi’s love icecream. If you love good food Ahmedabad is the place for you.

Here are some recommended eateries in Ahmedabad:

Gopi Dining Hall, just off the west end of Ellis Bridge, near VS Hospital, is one of the most popular places for a thali. An all-you-can-eat Gujarati thali is Rs 40 (lunch) or Rs 55 (dinner).

Sankalp Restaurant, off Ashram Road near Dinesh Hall in the Embassy Market area, is worth a visit. This air-conditioned restaurant boasts one of the longest dosas in India - four feet long and has been featured in the ‘Guiness Book Of World Records’ as the only restaurant to have made a 25 feet long ‘Dosa’.

Vishalla is an interesting rural complex on the southern edge of town on Vasana which evokes the atmosphere of a Gujarati village. Here, you'll dine in Indian fashion, seated on the floor, while watching puppet shows. It's not cheap, but the food is great. Lunch runs from 11 am to 2 pm and costs Rs 125, while dinner is from 7 to 11 pm and costs Rs 180. Dessert will cost you extra! The interesting Utensils Museum is located here.

Khau Galli at Law Garden is a gourmet’s delight dishing out sumptuous street fare. The place dishes out a host of cuisines apart from traditional Gujarati, Kathiawadi, Saurasthra and Rajasthani food.

Gordhan Thal located at the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway is a legendary outlet in its own right. “Its humble beginning can be traced back to Gordhan maharaj (chef in Gujarati) hailing from Rajasthan who had become a household name in catering in traditional Ahmedabad. As eating out turned into a fashion statement, his heirs decided to ‘cash in’ on the brand’s goodwill and have established a popular restaurant called Gordhan Thal,” related Sanathan Pancholi, resident manager, Gujarat Tourism Board, Mumbai. The ambience and decor of this restaurant is essentially Rajwadi style detailing mirror work, mud work and other traditional Rajasthani interiors. As a matter of fact most ‘maharajs’ originated from Rajasthan and adapted swiftly to preparing authentic Gujarati cuisine. Although, being neighbouring states both cuisines are greatly influenced by each other without losing their individual character.

Honest Pav Bhaji – a chain of restaurants - is probably the biggest name in Ahmedabad city for fast food with Punjabi, Chinese, continental and interesting Pav Bhaji variations on the offer.

Popular Punjabi restaurants include Mirch Masala at Swastik Cross Road, Tomato’s at CG Road, 9 Spice at the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway, Chuttneez at Fun Republic and Copper Chimney on CG Road. Incidentally CG Road is the main commercial road in New Ahmedabad, it’s like the pulse of the city housing all the branded stores and the commercial complexes making it the prime business area of the city. Bawarchi off CG Road is famous for its ‘Balti Paneer’ and the prime attraction of Sanjha Chula on Gota Gandhinagar highway is ‘Makai ki Roti’ and ‘Sarson Ka Saag’.

For the non-vegetarian cuisine, head to Upper Crust at Vijay Char Rasta - the shop primarily known for its cakes and pastries, but serves excellent non-vegetarian food like chicken sandwiches and sizzles. Curries, opposite AMA, is another promisiong option to try some Indian style non-vegetarian dishes like specially grilled fish, butter chicken and tawa chicken. Khyber, the roof-top restaurant at Fortune Landmark Hotel, Usmapura, serves non-vegetarian food till late in the nite in an amazing ambience that just improves the experience of fine-dining. For those pinched in the wallets, La Bella in Khanpur, Khamasa galli and Bhatiar galli are the places to go for fresh, spicy non-vegetarian food at economical rates.