Grand & Tasty Indian Thalis Must Try Once in Life

The quintessential Indian thali is more like a cultural exploration and makes for a complete meal in itself. You can never go wrong with these thalis. Colourful, aromatic, and appetizing, these thalis take you straight to foodie heaven.

Thali (meaning "plate") refers to an Indian-style meal made up of a selection of various dishes all served on a single platter. India being a diverse country, each region has its unique take on thali.  As you cross geographical boundaries, you will be welcomed with an array of different local delicacies. Diverse and distinctive as they are, all the Indian thalis are nothing less than a grand feast.

In this section, we have listed down some great Indian thalis.  Extremely palatable each and every meal is fit for a king's feast!

• 1. Kashmir Thali

This royal-looking and exquisitely delectable thali is a meat lovers' paradise. This thali consists of robust dishes such as rajma risemise, kebab nadir shahi (lotus root stuffed with aam papad), tabak maaz (fried lamb ribs), gosht yakhani, kashmiri dum aloo, khatte baingan, kashmiri pulao, al raita (bottle gourd in yogurt), etc. The dessert is usually a rose flavoured rice pudding.

Kashmiri thali is also famous for its ceremonial feast called “Wazwan”- a meat-based platter. Plus, they have different pieces of bread for every season.

• 2. Himachal Thali

Himachali thali is also known as Pahari thali – it's laced with an assortment of traditional herbs and spices and is incredibly delicious. The thali consists of rice, moong dal, madrah of rajma cooked in yogurt , boor ki kari and dark lentil ( Mah dal) topped with Katta (sweet and sour sauce) made of tamarind and jaggery. It ends with a dessert of sweet caramelized rice, liberally mixed with raisins and dry fruits. Homely, yet delicious, this thali promises a healthy dose of nutrients.

• 3. Punjabi Thali

Punjabi thali is colourful, indulgent, and full of flavour. Loaded with lots of ghee (specified butter), this thali consists of aloo kulcha, punjabi chole, paneer tikka, butter chicken, tandoori chicken, aloo paratha, dal makhani, kadhi chawal, rajma chawal, makki di roti, sarson ka saag. No matter if that takes all the space in your system, a glass of sweet lassi is a must.

• 4. Bhojpuri Thali

Chiefly vegetarian, the Bhojpuri thali is as diverse and awesome as the state of Bihar. The platter boasts of dishes such as bharbhara (green gram fritters), dahi chura (yoghurt with rice flakes), sattu ka paratha, litti chokha (doughballs of wheat and Bengal gram flour), kaale chane (Bengal gram curry), gurma (raw mango chutney).  Sweet delicacies like rasiyaaw (sweet rice), and balushahi (a sweet) is served to soothe your taste buds.

• 5. Gujarati Thali

Gujarati thali is lip-smacking. It mostly uses seasonal vegetables, however, the flavours vary in different parts of the state. The thali consists of surti dal, batata nu shak, vaal, papdi, dhokla, kadhi, kachumber, samhabro and basundi, gol papdi or puran poli. The thali varies with the season — in summer, you will get Gujarati aam ras puri and in winter, undhiyu-shrikhand puri.

Divine and luscious, this thali lays emphasis on three tastes which are sweet, sour, and spicy. So, it’s a misconception that all Gujarati thalis are sweet.

• 6. Rajasthani Thali

Drenched in clarified butter, the traditional Rajasthani thali is rich, colourful and regal just like its culture.  The elaborate menu consists of dal baati churma, missi roti with gatte ki sabji, panchmela dal, laal maas, and bajra roti along with flavoured buttermilk. For desserts, gondh ke laddoo and malpuas is served to treat your sweet tooth.

• 7. Maharashtrian Thali

Maharashtrian thali is characterized by slightly hot and fiery dishes. Known for its extremely spicy and unique masalas - this traditional thali consists of, bharli vangi (stuffed brinjal), pitla (thick chickpea flour curry), amti (spicy and tangy toor lentil), kosimbir, bhakri (a flatbread), chicken rassa (chicken gravy), mutton kolhapuri (fiery mutton gravy), sabudana vada, aamras and desserts like kheer or basundi (sweetened dense milk dessert).  Scrumptious and delicious, this thali can blow your mind.

• 8. Goan Thali

Goan thali is amazing just like its beaches! It’s a complete meal at your fingertips. A typical Goan meal consists of steamed rice, sheet kodi nustea (fish curry), kismur (salad made with fresh grated coconut and pan-fried prawns), poi (a butterfly-shaped bread), mackerel rawa fry along with sol kadi (kokum-coconut milk drink).

Some of the thalis may also include the famous vindaloo curry, rice bhakri, and goan banana halwa. You’ll love this thali if you are a hardcore non-vegetarian.

• 9. Assamese Thali

А trаditiоnаl Аssаmese thali starts with а local deliсасy саlled Khаr - а сurry mаde from rаw рараyа, local lentils, аnd роwdered bаnаnа skins. Its then followed by purа (smоked meаt), pоitаbhаt (riсe cooked & gаrnished with сhilies, оniоns, & mustаrd оil), shааk bhаji, pitikа, аnd fritters knоwn аs Bоr аlоng with condiments like рiсkles and chutney. This fantastic meаl ends with deliсiоus riсe pаyаs or narikolor laru (coconut laddoos).

• 10. Bengali Thali

Bengali thali is a veritable feast for fish lovers. It includes signature delicacies like the begun bhaja (pan-fried brinjal), patol bhaja (pointed gourd fry), shukto (a bitter-sweet medley of vegetables), shaak (green leafy vegetables), alu bhate (mashed potatoes), chholar dal (lentil curry), bhaat (rice), maach bhaja (fish fry), maachher kalia (fish curry), kosha mangsho (mutton in thick gravy). To finish the meal on a delicious note, you are offered a sinful rice dessert called Payesh or the Bengal famous sweets like mishti doi and rasgulla.

• 11. Andhra Thali

This quintessential meal is usually served on a banana leaf. The delicacies include piping hot rice smeared with ghee along with mudda pappu (lentil), followed by rasam known as charu, avakaya (mango pickle), parippu podi (powdered lentil mixed with spices), dondakayya veppudu (ivy gourd preparation) and vankaya kothamira kaaram (brinjal preparation). For dessert, you are served delectable rava laddoo or bandhar laddoo.

• 12. Kerala Thali

Kerala Sadhya thali is generally hot and spicy. The thali is traditionally served on banana leaves and usually consists of 26 dishes. Some of the traditional dishes include sambhar, parippu curry (lentil curry), puliserry (cucumber in yoghurt), olan (white gourd in coconut milk), aviyal (mixed vegetables), thoran (veg stir fry), kalan (flavoured yoghurt curry), kichadi/pachadi (cucumber and coconut in yoghurt), etc. In desserts, you are served ada pradhaman (rice and jaggery pudding) and sharkara varatti (banana chips with jaggery).