Food & Shopping
Sambalpur offers a delightful mix of traditional Odia cuisine and authentic Sambalpuri handicrafts. Here’s a detailed guide to the best food to try and places to shop in Sambalpur.
Traditional Sambalpuri Cuisine to Try
1️ Dahi Baigana
- A delicious dish made with brinjal, curd, and mustard seeds.
- Has a tangy and creamy taste, perfect with rice.
2️ Manda Pitha & Kakara Pitha
- Traditional Odia sweet dumplings made of rice flour and coconut.
- Mostly prepared during festivals like Nuakhai.
3️ Mudhi Mansa
- A unique puffed rice and mutton curry combo.
- A local delicacy loved by both tourists and locals.
4️ Rasabali
- A sweet dish made of deep-fried chhena (cheese curds) soaked in flavored milk.
- A must-try if you love rich, creamy desserts.
5️ Chhena Poda
- Odisha’s signature dessert, a caramelized baked cheesecake made from chhena (cottage cheese).
- Has a smoky flavor and is a must-have for sweet lovers.
6️ Dalma
- A nutritious dish made of dal (lentils) and vegetables, cooked with minimal spices.
- Served with rice and loved for its authentic Odia taste.
7️ Pakhala Bhata
- Fermented rice soaked in water, served with fried vegetables, badi chura (dried lentil dumpling), and curd.
- A cooling dish, perfect for the hot climate.
8️ Macha Besara (Fish Curry with Mustard Sauce)
- A traditional fish curry cooked with mustard paste and mustard oil.
- Best enjoyed with hot steamed rice.
Best Restaurants & Food Places in Sambalpur
1. Hotel Harjit
- Best for traditional Odia thali and North Indian cuisine.
- Serves delicious Dalma, Pakhala, and Fish Curry.
2. Trupti Restaurant
- Famous for authentic Sambalpuri food and sweets.
- Try their Macha Besara, Dahi Baigana, and Chhena Poda.
3. Konark Restaurant
- Popular for Odia, Chinese, and North Indian food.
- Great ambiance and tasty vegetarian dishes.
4. Hotel Sheela Towers – Zaika Restaurant
- Famous for Mudhi Mansa and seafood specialties.
- Serves a mix of Odia, Mughlai, and Tandoori dishes.
5. The Silver Spoon
- A modern café serving multi-cuisine dishes, snacks, and coffee.
- Good place for fast food and continental dishes.
Shopping in Sambalpur
1️⃣ Sambalpuri Handloom Sarees & Fabrics
- Sambalpur is famous for its handwoven Sambalpuri Ikat sarees.
- These sarees are made using the tie-and-dye (Bandha) technique and have intricate geometric patterns.
Best Places to Buy:
- Sambalpuri Bastralaya Handloom Co-operative (Largest handloom store in Sambalpur).
- Boyanika – Government Handloom Store.
- Local Handloom Weaving Villages (visit weavers directly).
2️ Terracotta & Tribal Handicrafts
- Traditional clay and wooden artifacts, inspired by tribal culture.
- Great for souvenirs and home decor.
Where to Buy:
- Gole Bazaar
- Handicraft Emporiums
3️ Dokra Metal Crafts
- Beautiful brass and bell metal artifacts.
- Unique designs of figurines, idols, and home decor items.
Best Place to Buy:
- Gole Bazaar & Tribal Craft Stores
4️ Sambalpuri Jewellery & Accessories
- Ethnic jewelry with beaded, silver, and tribal designs.
- Matching bangles and earrings for Sambalpuri sarees.
Where to Buy:
- Sambalpur Handloom Shops
- Street Markets
5️ Organic Spices & Pickles
- Locally made pickles, spices, and dried fish products.
- Famous for mango and lemon pickles.
Best Places to Buy:
- Local Markets
- Weekly Haat Bazaars
Best Shopping Markets in Sambalpur
1. Gole Bazaar
- The most popular market for handloom sarees, tribal jewelry, and souvenirs.
- Also famous for street food and snacks.
2. Laxmi Talkies Market
- Best place for modern clothing, electronics, and household items.
3. Sambalpur Handloom Cooperative Society
- Best place to buy authentic Sambalpuri fabrics and sarees.
4. Dhanupali Market
- Great for terracotta pottery, home decor items, and souvenirs.
Sambalpur is a paradise for food lovers and shopping enthusiasts. Whether you want to try authentic Odia food or buy handwoven textiles and handicrafts, this city has something for everyone!
