🐟 Overview of Cuisine of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
When I visited the Andaman Islands, I was surrounded by beautiful beaches, serene islands, clear waters, and thrilling adventure activities. Amidst all this, I also explored the local cuisine. The more I learned about Andaman foods, the more excited I became. Many dishes, although known in other countries, have a unique identity here, and their flavors are simply incredible.
• Seafood Specialties of Andaman
Andaman is famous for its rich seafood. Some of the must-try dishes include:
- Lobster Masala
- Crab Curry
- Prawn Curry
- Squid Fry / Masala
- Grilled Fish
These dishes attract every tourist with their mouth-watering flavors and leave a lasting memory of the Andamans.
• Tribal and Traditional Flavors
The islands also have unique tribal and traditional foods that are deeply rooted in the local culture. Some of these include:
- Boiled Tapioca (Cassava)
- Dugong Meat (Sea Cow)
- Local Fruit-Based Dishes
These dishes are treasured by the Andamanese people and offer a truly unique taste.
• Popular Dishes Across India
Andaman cuisine also features dishes that are popular throughout India, such as:
South Indian Dishes:
- Dosa
- Idli
- Sambar
Bengali Dishes:
- Machher Jhol (Fish Curry)
- Rasgulla
- Sandesh
North Indian Dishes:
- Roti
- Sabzi
- Biryani
All these dishes are delightful, and their flavors are loved by food lovers across India.
🦞 Famous Cuisine of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Seafood Specialties: Lobster, Crab, Prawns, Fish Curry
1 . Lobster
In Andaman, you can find many types of lobsters. As strange as they may look, they are equally delicious. When you see a live lobster with its green-blue shell and long antennae resembling big moustaches, you might wonder how people eat it. However, Andaman offers several varieties of this seafood, and each one is incredibly tasty.
• Popular Lobster Dishes
- Grilled Lobster
- Lobster Curry (Andaman Style)
- Butter Garlic Lobster
- Tandoori Lobster
Each dish is full of flavor and loved by tourists. The moment you take your first bite, you experience a subtle sweetness combined with a distinct oceanic flavor. The meat is white, tender, and juicy.
If you are dining with friends, it’s best to start with the lobster tail, as it contains the softest and most delicate meat. Its taste truly leaves a lasting impression.
• Price
The price usually ranges from ₹1,200 to ₹3,500, depending on the size of the lobster and whether you are enjoying it at a beach shack, restaurant, or hotel.
2. Crab in Andaman
• Habitat
Amid the waves of the sea and the roots of Andaman’s mangroves lives the crab, with its strong claws. Despite being tough, the taste of crab is highly loved by the people of Andaman. Its flavor is slightly sweet, the meat is soft and juicy, and that’s what makes it so popular.
• Taste and Favorite Part
The powerful claws feel like they are filled with a treasure of meat, and this part is every crab lover’s favorite. Some tourists especially enjoy eating it with rice. I also tried crab for the first time with rice, and I still remember the very first bite of crab and rice together.
• Price
The price usually ranges between ₹500–₹800, depending on the season and the size of the crab. Most of the time, you can enjoy it within this range while sitting by the sea and making the most of your Andaman trip.
3.Prawns in Andaman: A Seafood Lover’s Delight
• Introduction
In the air of Andaman, the aroma of fresh seafood seems to float around, as if it has a life of its own. The moment I thought of fish, I found myself at the bustling fish market, where all kinds of prawns were on display. It felt like a grand seafood fair, with tiger prawns and white prawns standing out the most.
• Types of Prawns and Popular Dishes
These prawns are used to prepare a variety of dishes such as fry, curry, and tandoori, all of which are incredibly tasty. Locals often cook prawns in coconut curry, a staple in their daily meals. On the other hand, tourists love butter garlic prawns cooked in a continental style.
For me, it was the prawn curry that stole the show, as I personally love curry. Preparing it takes both time and effort, but the flavor is absolutely worth it.
• The Taste Experience
Mixing rice with prawn curry provided a comforting and delightful taste. The curry even had a slight sweetness, which the staff explained came from jaggery added to the dish. This unique flavor made the meal simply delicious and memorable.
• Pricing Guide
The total price for my meal was ₹600, which I found very reasonable. Prawn prices in Andaman generally vary by size:
- Small size: ₹350 – ₹500
- Medium size: ₹600 – ₹800
- Large/Jumbo size: ₹900 – ₹1,500
For families, large/jumbo prawns are the best option, while for solo travelers, small prawns are more than enough. Prices may vary depending on the season and restaurant, but one thing is certain—the taste is always outstanding.
Link: Andaman Nicobar currency
4. Fish Curry in Andaman: A Seafood Delight
• Introduction
Fish curry, loved all across India, also has its die-hard fans in Andaman. Here, people enjoy it almost daily, but the taste is slightly different from the rest of the country. In every bowl of fish curry, I could feel the influence of two states—Kerala and Bengal—because communities from both regions live together in harmony. This shared love for fish curry strengthens their bond even more.
• How to Enjoy Fish Curry
You can enjoy it with hot steamed rice or chapati, as both pair perfectly with the curry. It is available in both roadside dhabas and restaurants, usually priced between ₹150–₹250.
• The Unique Beach Experience
The real magic, however, is eating it by the beach: one side the open sea, and on the other side, a plate of spicy Andaman-style fish curry. This combination gives a vibe that is truly unmatched anywhere else.
🥥 Traditional Tribal Food Items in Andaman
• Tribal Cuisine and Flavors
The people of the Andaman Islands prepare their traditional food with a lot of love, and that warmth is reflected in the taste. Their cuisine mainly includes seafood, tubers, and roots, which are often boiled, roasted, or mashed. The flavor is slightly sweet with an earthy aroma, reminiscent of the fragrance of fresh soil in the village. You can experience this food at the homes of local people in the Andamans, and some restaurants also serve it.
• Coconut: A Key Ingredient
Coconut is a common ingredient in their cooking, and coconut water is especially loved by the locals. Among the dishes I got to try were Mohinga and Mopheto.
• Mohinga: A Delightful Burmese Dish
Mohinga is a famous dish from Myanmar (Burma), but people in the Andamans are very fond of it. The preparation starts as early as 3 a.m., when noodles are made fresh. Many ingredients are mixed together, such as rice powder, banana, lemongrass, and various spices. The final taste is unique and truly delightful.
Mopheto: The Local Energy Bar
Mopheto, prepared by the Karen tribes, is known as a local energy bar. It is made by mixing coconut and jaggery, then wrapping the mixture in banana leaves. The taste is sweet, and I really enjoyed slowly unwrapping the banana leaf to eat it.
🍟 Street Food & Snacks Popular Among Tourists in Andaman
• Irresistible Street Food Aroma
As soon as you walk through the streets of the Andamans, the aroma of street food pulls you in, as if it has been waiting for you for hours. The street food here is incredibly tasty — items like mirchi bhajiya, banana bhajiya, onion bhajiya, and medu vada are how most people start their day.
• Perfect Evening Snacks
On the other hand, chicken pakoda, egg pakoda, fish pakoda, and fish cutlets with a cup of tea make for a perfect evening snack.
• Popular Treats Among Tourists
Some people also enjoy treats like pizza, burgers, falooda, fried snacks, shawarma, milkshakes, rasgullas, samosas, chow mein, and dahi puri — which almost feel like they were specially made for girls with a sweet tooth.
• Unique Beach Experience
Watching the waves rise and fall at the beach while enjoying Andaman’s tangy and spicy snacks provides a truly unique experience.
🥗 Famous Veg Food in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Vegetarian Thalis in Local Restaurants
Surrounded by islands and beaches, every tourist who visits the Andamans often wonders if vegetarian food will be available. While it is true that vegetarian restaurants are fewer compared to non-vegetarian ones, the restaurants that do exist serve dishes that remind you of home.
These include salad, papad, dal tadka, dal fry, bottle gourd, potato, beans, carrot, and cauliflower curries, giving the feeling of home-cooked meals. A simple thali often comes with aloo ki sabzi, while a special thali includes dishes like paneer butter masala or shahi paneer, served with jeera rice or steamed rice, roti, and poori.
• Enhancing the Experience
The experience is further enhanced with tangy mango or lemon pickle, coconut chutney, and raita, which complete the meal. For dessert, traditional sweets like kheer, seviyan, suji halwa, or gulab jamun make the trip even sweeter.
• Pricing
The price of a simple thali ranges from ₹150–200, while a special thali costs around ₹250–350, depending on the restaurant you choose.
🥞 South Indian Dishes (Idli, Dosa, Sambar) in Andaman
• South Indian Restaurants in Andaman
As soon as you arrive in Andaman, you will find many South Indian restaurants. The idli, medu vada, sambar, and chutney served here are very tasty. These foods are light and easy to digest, which is why people prefer them for breakfast.
• Popular South Indian Dishes
On the other hand, plain dosa, rava dosa, and masala dosa, served with coconut chutney, sambar, and aloo masala, bring a special joy of tasting South Indian flavors in Andaman. Since these dishes are mostly prepared by people from South India, the taste is truly authentic.
• Traditional South Indian Meals
Some places also serve sambar vada, uttapam (onion/tomato), and traditional meals (South Indian thali) on banana leaves. Seeing such variety filled my heart with happiness, though my stomach still wanted more. The thali usually includes many items such as different types of chutneys, pickles, rice, puri, curries, rasam, papad, curd, poriyal, and sambar.
• Memorable Taste and Pricing
The food was really delicious, but I especially loved the sambar — its taste is something I will remember for a lifetime. I truly wish you make your journey memorable in the same way. The cost for such meals usually ranges from ₹200–250, depending on the restaurant you choose.
Link: Andaman Nicoabr full guide
🫓 North Indian Veg Food Available in Andaman & Nicobar
• Discover North Indian Cuisine in Andaman
Experience the amazing taste of North Indian food in Andaman. From the streets of Andaman, the aroma of delicious dishes pulls every food lover towards it. Whether it’s Chole Bhature, Pav Bhaji, Veg Pulao, or Veg Biryani, each dish brings memories and unique flavors.
• Popular North Indian Dishes in Andaman
• Chole Bhature
Enjoy the classic Delhi taste with freshly made Chole Bhature that instantly reminds you of the streets of Delhi.
• Pav Bhaji
A dish that takes control over your heart and mind, Pav Bhaji is a must-try for every visitor.
• Veg Pulao & Veg Biryani
Perfect for sharing with friends, these dishes bring back memories of fun times and mischief.
• North Indian Thali Options and Pricing
• Veg Thali & Special North Indian Thali
Price range: ₹200–₹400
Even though a full stomach may limit your tasting experience, each dish is packed with flavor.
• Affordable Prices
Most North Indian dishes in Andaman are priced between ₹100–₹400. In some restaurants, prices may be slightly higher due to location or service.
• Tips to Enjoy North Indian Food in Andaman
- Search Nearby Restaurants – Use Google to find restaurants near your location.
- Check Reviews & Ratings – Look at pictures, videos, and user reviews before visiting.
- Contact the Owner – Call or message the restaurant to confirm availability and menu details.
- Relax & Enjoy – Focus on enjoying Andaman beaches and local vibes while savoring North Indian cuisine.
• Why Andaman is a Food Lover’s Paradise
Andaman is not just for beaches; it is also a food lover’s paradise for North Indian cuisine. With affordable options, delicious flavors, and helpful tips, you can fully enjoy North Indian food in Andaman without any worries.
🍽️ Popular Restaurants & Cafes in Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Island
• Best Restaurants in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Port Blair (Capital – Maximum Options)
• Annapurna Restaurant
In Port Blair, the first name that comes to everyone’s mind is Annapurna Restaurant. Here, you will find pure vegetarian food, Bengali-style meals, and South Indian thalis that every tourist enjoys. It feels like the food carries the true flavor of Andaman.
- Google Rating: 3.7
- Reviews: 3,977
• New Light House Restaurant
While watching the sea waves, seafood like lobster, crab, and red snapper always comes to mind. The same taste is offered at New Light House Restaurant, which remains open for tourists 24 hours. Sitting on a chair with a sea view and enjoying seafood here is a special experience.
- Google Rating: 3.8
- Reviews: 3,097
Icy Spicy Restaurant
At Icy Spicy Restaurant, along with food, you can also buy spices to carry back home. The aroma of these spices blends with your kitchen at home. This restaurant has a good reputation in Port Blair.
- Google Rating: 4.1
- Reviews: 2.9K
• Amaya Lounge Bar & Restaurant
As soon as you enter Amaya Lounge Bar & Restaurant, it feels like the sea is right beside you. The view is wonderful with greenery, cool breeze, and the sight of the ocean, which makes the taste of food even better. Most tourists spend 2–5 hours here enjoying the view along with tasty food.
- Google Rating: 4.3
- Reviews: 1,494
• Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep – Most Popular)
• Full Moon Restaurant
Full Moon Restaurant is very popular in Havelock Island. Here you will find a wide variety of seafood. The taste feels so fresh as if the fish was just caught from the beach and cooked immediately.
- Google Rating: 4.3
- Reviews: 1.2K
• Something Different Café
The name itself, Something Different Café, gives a feeling of uniqueness. At the entrance, the beach vibe begins, and inside, the restaurant is also famous for shayari written on the walls. The food is well-loved, especially fish curry and prawn dishes.
- Google Rating: 4.4
- Reviews: 4,472
• Anju Coco Resto
In Havelock, Anju Coco Resto is known as a budget-friendly restaurant. Its grilled fish and crab masala are very popular among visitors.
- Google Rating: 4.2
- Reviews: 2,034
• Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep – Peaceful Destination)
• Seashell Restaurant
On Neil Island, Seashell Restaurant keeps tourists connected with island flavors. The most famous dish is Nicobari fish curry made with coconut milk-based recipes.
- Google Rating: 4.4
- Reviews: 287
• Garden View Restaurant
The name Garden View Restaurant itself gives the feel of nature. As soon as you enter, you see coconut trees, flowers, and beautiful paths like a natural welcome. The food is simple but authentic, mostly local thali.
- Google Rating: 4.8
- Reviews: 61
•Blue Sea Restaurant
Inside Blue Sea Restaurant, it feels like a place specially made for fish lovers. All types of fresh fish are served here with a unique and delicious taste. Both locals and foreign tourists love this place.
- Google Rating: 4.4
- Reviews: 77
Final Note
All these restaurants are known for their taste and staff behavior. Add them to your trip and enjoy the famous food of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
FAQs on Cuisine of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Q1: What is the famous food of Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
Andaman and Nicobar is famous for many things, but some foods stay on every tourist’s mind: fish curry, lobsters, prawns, crab masala, coconut prawn curry, and coconut rice. These dishes can be found in almost every non-vegetarian restaurant in Andaman.
Q2: Is vegetarian food easily available in Andaman?
Yes, vegetarian food is easily available in Andaman, but compared to non-vegetarian options, it is somewhat limited in restaurants. Vegetarian dishes are available in restaurants like Annapurna and Icy Spicy Restaurant. Street food also offers some vegetarian options.
Q3: What makes Andaman cuisine different from mainland Indian food?
The food in Andaman is different from the mainland because fresh seafood and coconut are used extensively. It is a fusion of Bengali, Tamil, and local flavors, which makes the dishes taste truly unique.
Q4: What are the must-try local dishes in Andaman & Nicobar?
If you are a food lover, there are some dishes you must try in Andaman, such as fish curry, grilled lobster and prawns, squid fry, chili curry, Andamanese pulao, and coconut rice. A trip to Andaman is incomplete without tasting these foods.
Conclusion
If you are planning to travel, make sure to add Andaman to your list. The islands add life to your trip, and after visiting, every tourist wonders when they can plan their next trip here. The moment you arrive, it feels like the Maldives—with blue waters, cool breezes, and coconut trees surrounding the island. This island is truly loved by many travelers.