Udaipur offers no gastronomical delights, but this is more than made up by the ambience most eating place offer; perched at the banks of Lake Pichola, most restaurants overlook the waters, the Aravalis, and the skyline of beautiful white havelis and grand palaces. The restaurateurs take advantage of this and the city is run over by rooftop restaurants. The food they offer is fairly simple, a medley of Mughlai, Rajasthani and simple homemade food. Most have little alcoves with mattresses and bolsters, looking over to the lake through the jharokhas, to sit in. Most are similar, in decor and in cuisine, with quirky names that sometimes border on the strange. Try the egg curry at Dream Heaven restaurant at Chand Pole, on the other side of the lake from Jagdish Temple.
Many restaurants have continental dishes such as pastas and spaghetti, which are best avoided at most places. Try Savage Garden at Chand Pole, serving pasta and fusion dishes (Alu Liver, Penne in Tomato Chutney) in a converted haveli. For homesick expatriates (Udaipur is very popular amongst them and many have settled down here), and to entertain the string of foreign tourists, many 'German' bakeries around Lake Pichola particularly also do brisk business in Udaipur selling sandwiches and bagels, cupcakes and marmite, apple pie and chocolate balls. Edelweiss at Gangaur Ghat has divine coffee.
To dine in style and with pomp, visit the terrace restaurant of the Lake Palace. The food is delicious, although seriously expensive, but the sight of Rajasthani dancers at the terrace and the City Palace all lit up, far away on the banks, is divine. (Reservation recommended. Call 0294-252 7961.)
The dining option at the City Palace – the Sunset View Terrace – offers a more casual, yet immensely romantic, way to dine. With a varied cuisine ranging from Paneer Tikka to Pasta, an extensive wine list, live music, candles on the table and the sight of the sunset across the lake is an experience you will always remember.
The Gallery restaurant at Fateh Prakash Palace, a part of the City Palace complex, serves authentic English tea complete with cream, scones and homemade jams. The great view of the lake, a regal setting and the world's largest collection of crystals upstairs doesn't hurt either! (Reservation recommended. Call: 0294-2528 016.)
