24 Hours in Indore – Best Places to Eat, Visit & Explore

Pune to Indore—it was an early morning flight, and my husband and I were excited for a short but flavorful getaway. As we landed, we noticed something surprising: the city felt peacefully quiet, almost serene in the morning light. Unlike other big cities, Indore wasn’t crowded or chaotic at this hour—it had a calm charm, with streets slowly waking up and shopkeepers starting to set up for the day.

From the airport, we took a cab to Fairfield by Marriott, our cozy base for the next 24 hours. Check-in was only at 2 PM, so we freshened up quickly and decided to make the most of the tranquil morning to explore the city. Indore has a rhythm of its own—you don’t bump into traffic; instead, you feel the city slowly coming alive, and we were eager to soak it all in.

Our plan for the day was simple: start with Indore’s iconic breakfast, explore its historic sites, snack our way through local markets, and end with a night-time food adventure at Sarafa Bazaar. In just 24 hours, we wanted to taste, see, and experience what makes Indore both the street food capital and one of the cleanest cities in India.

Morning: Breakfast at Chappan Dukan

After freshening up at the hotel, my husband and I headed straight to Chappan Dukan, the legendary food street of Indore. Even in the calm morning, the place had a gentle buzz, with early risers strolling in for their favorite breakfast treats. For anyone visiting Indore, this is non-negotiable—a perfect way to start the day with authentic local flavors.

Chappan Dukan literally means “56 shops” — the name comes from the fact that when this famous food street in Indore was first established, there were exactly 56 separate food outlets lined up along the lane. Over the years the area has grown, but the name stuck. Another explanation according to locals suggests that the name is inspired by “Chappan bhog” — the offering of *56 food items traditionally prepared during Janmashtami to honour Lord Krishna — implying an abundance of food. This interpretation ties into the idea of plentiful food choices.

We began with the iconic poha and jalebi from Vijay Chaat House—light, fluffy poha perfectly balanced with spicy seasonings, paired with sweet, syrupy jalebi that melted in the mouth. Every bite felt like a true taste of Indore’s breakfast culture.

Next, we couldn’t resist trying the famous mutton hotdogs from Johny Hot Dogs (look for Stall 51, as there are a few look-alikes!). The combination of juicy mutton, soft bun, and tangy sauces was absolutely delicious, and my husband kept raving about it long after we finished.

We continued our foodie adventure with a coconut crush, some steaming tea, and the crunchy khobra kachori, savoring each flavor slowly. By the time we finally looked at the clock, it was already 9:30 AM—and we were perfectly fueled to continue exploring the city.

Morning to Afternoon: Exploring Indore’s Heritage

After our hearty breakfast at Chappan Dukan, we hopped into an auto-rickshaw and made our way to Krishna Raj Chatris, a cluster of historic cenotaphs. We spent some time wandering the grounds—it was interesting, but honestly, not very charming. If you’re short on time, it’s completely fine to skip this spot.

Next, we strolled towards Rajwada Palace, one of Indore’s most iconic landmarks. Unfortunately, it was closed when we reached, as it opens only at 11 AM. Not to be disheartened, we rented an electric rickshaw and went over to Lal Bagh Palace. This was a highlight of our day—the grandeur of the palace, intricate interiors, and historical charm kept us engrossed for nearly 1 to 1.5 hours.

From there, we headed to Kanch Mandir, a stunning Jain temple made entirely of mirrors. Photography wasn’t allowed inside, but walking across the mirrored floors felt almost surreal—it truly reflects the meticulous craftsmanship of the place.

Next on our heritage trail was Rawada Palace, where we explored the sprawling palace grounds and admired the architecture. By now, we had built quite an appetite, so we decided to stop for lunch at Rajhans Dal Bafle, a local specialty of Indore.

Lunch at Rajhans Dal Bafle: A Local Culinary Experience

After exploring the city, our stomachs were definitely calling for some authentic Indori flavors. We headed to Rajhans Dal Bafle, a local favorite renowned for its dal bafle—soft, fluffy wheat bafles served with rich, spiced lentils, ghee, and chutneys.

What made this meal truly memorable was the warm hospitality. The owner personally came over to guide us on how to enjoy the dish the traditional way. He suggested crushing the bafle with bare hands and adding generous amount of ghee and then dipping into the dal first, then pairing it with a bit of chutneys and sabji. Following his advice, every bite was a burst of flavor—comforting, hearty, and completely satisfying. My husband and I couldn’t stop raving about the combination of textures—the warm bafle, the spiced dal, and the aromatic ghee brought the perfect balance. Cost for the Thali is Rupees 250/-

Completely satisfied and fueled for the rest of the day, we headed back to our hotel for a quick afternoon nap, ready to explore Indore’s vibrant streets and markets in the evening.

Evening: Temples, Sarees & Sarafa Bazaar Food Crawl

After a relaxing afternoon nap, we stepped out to explore more of Indore in the evening. Our first stop was Khajrana Ganesh Temple, conveniently located near our hotel about 2 kms away. The calm ambience and simple yet profound architecture offered a peaceful respite from the day’s explorations. From there, we visited Annapurna Temple, another beautiful local spot where we soaked in the spiritual vibes and watched devotees offering prayers.

Next on our list was a bit of shopping. We headed to Pawar Handlooms in Rajendra Nagar, famous for authentic Maheshwari and Chanderi sarees. Walking through the store was like entering a treasure trove—the variety was huge, and I wanted to buy so many sarees! Each piece told a story through its weave and colors, and the staff were incredibly helpful in explaining the fabrics and patterns. It was a shopper’s dream come true. The sarees were authentic and affordable. They have a loom in Maheshwar since 90 years and this shop was there since more than 10 years.

As the evening turned into night, it was time for the highlight of any Indore trip—the Sarafa Bazaar street food experience. The market was alive with lights, aromas, and chatter, making it a sensory delight. We started with Flying Dahi Vade from Joshi’s, perfectly tangy and crispy, followed by a mix of chaat that was bursting with flavors. No Indore food crawl is complete without kulfi and the gigantic jalebi, and we happily indulged in both. Every bite, every stall, felt like a celebration of Indore’s legendary street food culture.

Pro Tip: If you have extra time or want to try more, AV Madhuram Sandwich is another must-visit for classic Indori sandwiches.

Getting Around: Indore is surprisingly easy to navigate—Ola cabs and auto-rickshaws are readily available, and for heritage spots, electric rickshaws are a fun, convenient way to explore the crowded places.

Our whirlwind day in Indore flew by, but it was packed with memories. From the calm morning streets and Chappan Dukan breakfast, to Lal Bagh Palace, Kanch Mandir, Rawada Palace, and Rajhans Dal Bafle, plus temples, saree shopping, and Sarafa Bazaar street food, we experienced the city’s heritage, culture, and flavors in one perfect day.