Lassiwala MI Road

Lassiwala on MI Road has been pouring lassi since 1944, when Kishanlal Agarwal opened what is described as the first shop of its kind in Jaipur. More than seventy years later it is still run by the same family and remains one of the city's best-known food stops, popular with locals, tourists and, over the years, a long list of Indian film stars and business figures. Its fame has led several imitators to open nearby with similar names, so check you are at the original before ordering.

The product is simple. Lassi here is made from curd and ice alone, without water, and is traditionally offered sweet or salted, with a sugar-free version added more recently. It comes in kulhads, unglazed clay cups, in two sizes, and is often topped with a thick layer of malai, the cream that forms on top of the curd. The result is rich and filling, closer to a light meal than a drink, and on a hot day there are few better ways to cool down between sights. Takeaway orders are packed with paper and thread over the kulhad, and the shop also supplies lassi for functions around Jaipur.

Timing matters. The shop opens early in the morning and stays open only until the curd runs out or begins to sour, so it does not trade into the evening like other shops on the street. Reports suggest it can sell out by early afternoon, so go in the morning or around lunchtime. Fodor's notes the early opening and the long queues that form at busy times.

This is a quick stop rather than a café to linger in. Prices are low, and it is a favourite with families, budget travellers and anyone who wants a taste of everyday Jaipur. If you have a sensitive stomach, start with the smaller size, as the lassi is very rich.

Lassiwala is on MI Road, the main shopping street outside the old city walls, so it fits easily into a walk between New Gate and Panch Batti. Pair it with a visit to Raj Mandir Cinema, a meal at Niros or Handi, or a morning at the Albert Hall Museum, all close by.