The best bistros and brasseries India

Timetable

There's always somewhere to sit down and have a drink and/or a snack. For comfort and air-conditioning, look no further than hotel cafés and tea rooms.

Budget & Tips

You can have a chai, coffee, lassi or fresh fruit juice for next to nothing in India. It's all part of the pleasure of traveling in this country!

Age restrictions

Legislation varies from state to state; some very religious states, such as Bihar and Gujarat, prohibit the consumption of alcohol. In Kerala, the sale of alcohol is banned on the first Sunday of every month. The sale of beer, wine and spirits within 500 meters of national expressways is banned throughout the country.

Legal drinking and purchasing age:

- 18: Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Sikkim.

- 21: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

- 25 years: Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab and Meghalaya.

It isforbidden to bring alcohol from one state to another, as laws vary. Beware of heavy fines!

What's very local

What's great about an aperitif in India is the amuse-bouches that go with it, so varied and full of flavor. They're called chaat.

Kids

Children have no place in establishments selling alcohol. Women are often looked down upon in local bars.

Smokers

Indian law prohibits smoking in public places. This includes bars. Some bars have a special smoking room or ventilated smoking area.