Food & Shopping

Food & Shopping

 Food in Dhamtari – What & Where to Eat

Dhamtari offers a delightful mix of tribal, Chhattisgarhi, and rural flavors, focusing on fresh ingredients, simple spices, and earthy cooking styles.

 1. Traditional Chhattisgarhi Delicacies

• Must-Try Dishes:
  • Faraa – Steamed rice dumplings with light masala
  • Chana Samosa – Crispy snack filled with spicy chickpeas
  • Bore Baasi – Fermented rice with curd or buttermilk, especially refreshing in summer
  • Aamat – Bamboo shoot curry made with local tribal spices
  • Chousela Roti – Rice flour flatbread served with chutney or spicy sabzi
• Where to Eat:
  • Local dhabas near Gandhi Chowk, Rudri Temple, and along Gangrel Dam Road
  • Ask locals or try homestay meals for the most authentic versions

 2. Street Food & Snacks

• Popular Items:
  • Poha-Jalebi – Breakfast favorite
  • Aloo Tikki, Pakoras, Chana Chaat – Found near markets and schools
  • Local Sweets: Balushahi, Anarsa, and Tilkut
• Best Spots:
  • Near Bus Stand, Gole Bazaar, and temple markets

 3. Tribal Beverages (For the Curious)

• In tribal areas around Sihawa, locals make Mahua liquor and salfi, a forest-based drink.
• Note: Only try under proper guidance, as they are part of traditional customs.

 Shopping in Dhamtari – What to Buy & Where

Dhamtari is known for tribal craftsmanship, forest produce, and locally made goods. It's a great place to pick up sustainable and handmade souvenirs.

 1. Bamboo & Cane Crafts

• What to Buy:
  • Handwoven baskets
  • Storage boxes
  • Bamboo trays, lamps, and mats
• Where: Weekly haat bazaars or roadside craft stalls near Sihawa and Kurud

 2. Tribal Jewelry & Decor

• Includes:
  • Metal jewelry
  • Beaded necklaces
  • Clay and wood-based home decor
• Often made by Gond and Halba artisans

 3. Forest Products & Natural Goods

• What You’ll Find:
  • Wild honey
  • Herbal powders
  • Lac bangles
  • Seeds, dried tamarind, and wild fruits

 4. Traditional Fabrics & Rural Handlooms

• Items to Look For:
  • Tribal print sarees and scarves
  • Cotton handloom fabrics dyed with natural colors

 Top Shopping Areas:

• Gole Bazaar: Daily goods, snacks, small gift items
• Weekly Haat Bazaars: In and around Kurud, Sihawa, and rural crossroads — great for direct-from-artisan finds
• Temple Markets: Rudri and Gangrel temple zones for souvenirs and spiritual items