Introduction
Vellore, a city steeped in history and culture, is not only known for its magnificent fort and academic institutions like VIT University but also for its vibrant streets and irresistible street food. Whether you’re a history buff, a curious wanderer, or a passionate foodie, exploring Vellore’s streets offers a feast for the senses.
Let’s take a journey through the city’s iconic roads and flavorful dishes, and discover why street food in Vellore is a local treasure.
Strolling Through Historic Vellore Streets
Fort Road – A Blend of Heritage and Local Flavor
Start your walk at Fort Road, home to the iconic Vellore Fort a 16th-century granite marvel. Around the fort, you’ll find street vendors serving traditional South Indian snacks like idli, vada, and mini dosa. The air is filled with the aroma of sambar simmering in big pots and chutneys being ground fresh.
Long Bazaar – The Local Shopping and Eating Hub
Long Bazaar is one of the oldest and busiest commercial streets in Vellore. Packed with textile shops, utensils, and electronics stores, it also houses some of the best hidden food gems. During evenings, the sidewalks come alive with vendors selling pani puri, bhel puri, and spicy mirchi bajji.
Gandhi Road & Anna Salai – Urban Energy, Local Flavors
These roads are the heart of modern Vellore. From college students to local residents, everyone flocks here for street-side eats. You’ll find tea stalls, kothu parotta counters, and stalls selling egg dosa or the unique banana dosa, a sweet twist to a classic.
Wandering Through Famous Vellore Streets

1. Fort Road
This street near the historic Vellore Fort is perfect for blending sightseeing with snacking. You’ll find vendors selling crispy vadais, piping hot idlis, and flavorful sambar from early morning.
2. Long Bazaar
A historic commercial hub, Long Bazaar is always buzzing. Alongside its shops for textiles and utensils, it has hidden stalls selling bhel puri, fruit chaat, and kulfi in the evenings.
3. Gandhi Road
This busy road is a lifeline of central Vellore, lined with tea kadais, snack shops, and dosa counters. Ideal for grabbing a quick tiffin while shopping.
4. Anna Salai
Known for its mix of traditional and modern eateries, Anna Salai is popular among youth and office-goers. Try out food trucks parked here in the evenings offering fried chicken, wraps, and fusion dosas.
5. Katpadi Junction & Katpadi Road
Near the railway station and VIT University, this area is known for student-friendly food stalls that offer budget meals, sandwiches, Maggi noodles, and biryani.
6. Thottapalayam Street
This street near Vellore’s core city area is dotted with stalls offering evening snacks like samosas, bhajji, and masala sundal.
7. Officer’s Line
Once a British-era military settlement, this leafy neighborhood is now filled with quiet tea stalls, mini bakeries, and homemade snack vendors. It’s great for an early morning or peaceful evening stroll.
8. Dharapadavedu Main Road
This lesser-known gem connects parts of Vellore with newer residential neighborhoods. Here, you’ll find puff pastries, egg dosa stalls, and tiny eateries that serve home-style non-veg meals.
9. CMC Hospital Street (Ida Scudder Road)
This road near the famous CMC Hospital has bustling cafes, bakeries, and stalls that cater to hospital staff and visitors. You’ll find everything from rice meals to North Indian thalis and chai-wallahs.
10. Viruthampet Main Road
Emerging as a developing area, this road hosts stalls selling chicken rolls, kebabs, pani puri, and milkshakes that attract the younger crowd in the evenings.
Must-Try Street Food in Vellore

1. Bun Parotta with Salna
This layered flatbread, crispy on the outside and soft inside, is served with a flavorful, spicy curry called salna. It’s a go-to dinner or midnight snack in Vellore and is available at nearly every corner—from roadside carts near the old bus stand to stalls on Katpadi Road.
2. Dosa Varieties
Vellore dosa stalls are known for their creativity. Don’t miss:
- Ghee Roast Dosa – Thin, crisp, and rich
- Podi Dosa – Spicy lentil powder sprinkled generously
- Banana Dosa – A sweet version with jaggery and cardamom
3. Chaat and Pani Puri
The influence of North Indian flavors is strong. Try:
- Pani Puri with mint-spiced water
- Aloo Tikki Chaat topped with curd and tamarind chutney
- Dahi Puri bursting with sweet, tangy flavors
These are best savored at Kanpur Chaat Corner near Gandhi Nagar.
4. Filter Coffee and Tea Kadai Snacks
No food walk is complete without sipping strong filter coffee from a steel tumbler and dabara. Pair it with:
- Medu Vada
- Bajji
- Masala Sundal
Visit small tea shops in Sankaranpalayam or outside VIT University for the most authentic experiences.
5. Jigarthanda and Local Sweets
Cool down with a glass of jigarthanda, a chilled drink made with milk, almond gum (badam pisin), and ice cream. For sweet lovers, don’t miss:
- Mysore Pak
- Badusha
- Gulab Jamun at traditional sweet shops like Sri Sangeetha Sweets and Rajshree Sweets.
Top 5 Street Food Spots in Vellore You Shouldn’t Miss
1. Darbar Street Food Corner
Located near the old bus stand, this area is bustling with small eateries offering everything from bun parotta, chicken fry, to beef roast.
2. Vellore Old Bus Stand
A hotspot for late-night eats, especially parotta-salna stalls and egg-based dishes. Ideal for night owls.
3. Katpadi Railway Station Area
Great for grabbing quick snacks like vadai, tea, and vegetable puff—perfect for travellers and students.
4. Gandhi Nagar Street Food Line
This area is packed with fast-food stalls, including chaat corners, frankie rolls, and kulfi ice cream vendors.
5. Food Trucks and Mobile Vans
Vellore has seen a recent rise in trendy food trucks offering burgers, fried chicken, and even fusion dosas. Look for them in Anna Salai and near CMC Hospital.
Tips for Street Food Lovers in Vellore
Hygiene and Safety
- Pick stalls that have a steady stream of customers (indicates freshness)
- Ensure the vendor uses gloves or tongs
- Avoid raw garnishes like onions if you have a sensitive stomach
Best Time to Explore Street Food
- Morning (7 AM – 10 AM): Idli, dosa, tea, pongal
- Evening (5 PM – 8 PM): Chaat, bajji, parotta
- Late Night (10 PM – Midnight): Salna, kal dosa, tea shops
How to Interact with Local Vendors
Most vendors understand basic Tamil and a bit of English. Smile, be polite, and ask:
- “Enna special irukku?” (What’s special today?)
- “Sooda irukka?” (Is it hot/fresh?)
Khanna Fiesta – Best Place to Stay in Vellore
If you’re searching for a luxurious yet affordable stay in the heart of Vellore, Khanna Fiesta is your top choice. Located conveniently near CMC Hospital, Vellore Fort, and Gandhi Road, the hotel offers easy access to many of the city’s famous food streets and shopping spots.
Why Stay at Khanna Fiesta?
- Prime Location: Situated near Anna Salai, it puts you right in the middle of Vellore’s vibrant action.
- In-House Fine Dining: Enjoy delicious multicuisine meals at the hotel’s restaurant if you’re not in the mood to head out.
- Modern Amenities: Spacious rooms, Wi-Fi, AC, parking, and excellent service—perfect for families, business travelers, and tourists.
- Walkable to Street Food Hotspots: You can walk to popular local food streets like Gandhi Road, Anna Salai, and Long Bazaar.
- Ideal for Medical Tourists: Just minutes from CMC Hospital, making it a perfect stay for patients and families.
Whether you’re in town for business, treatment, or a weekend getaway, Khanna Fiesta blends comfort, convenience, and quality—ensuring your Vellore trip is both flavorful and restful.
Address: No. 28, Officer’s Line, Anna Salai,Vasanthapuram, Vellore
Conclusion: Taste the Soul of Vellore, One Bite at a Time
Vellore’s streets offer more than just travel; it’s an experience of aromas, textures, and flavors that define the city’s soul. From traditional dosas to innovative chaats, from historic lanes to bustling market streets, Vellore invites you to explore it with your feet and taste it with your heart.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning traveler, take a walk through the streets of Vellore and let its street food tell you stories of tradition, flavor, and culture.