Gujrat

Gujarat Places to Stay

The Beach Camp at Mandvi Place

The huge estate of the impressive Vijay Vilas Palace in Mandvi features a private beach, rigged with charming Raj- themed tents. Furnished with carved furniture, redolent of old Anglo-Indian homes, you will camp in luxury. Go for a swim in the sea, eat fresh seafood barbequed on the beach and enjoy the gorgeous sunset from the historic pavilion.

www.mandvibeach.com

Orchard Palace,Gondal

Formerly the guesthouse of the Maharajahs of Gondal, this late 19^th century building is set in the grounds of the Huzoor Palace, where the owners keep their extensive collection of vintage cars. The huge high ceilinged rooms are decorated with period furniture and antiques, but you can also stay in royal rail saloon, featuring elegant wood paneling and porcelean artifacts. Within the same complex, Naulakha Palace is filled with princely memorablia.

www.gondalpalaces.com

Rann Riders,Dasada

Near the enterance to the Little Rann of Kutch Wild Ass Sanctuary, this safari resort is imaginatively and comprises cottages resembling the village houses of Kutch. Complete with mud plastered walls and decorated with mirror work, all rooms feature comfortable furniture and modern bathrooms. The resort has a barbecue pit, where fish, shrimps caught from the small private lake, are grilled for your buffet dinner. During the day, head out for an open jeep safari across the Little Rann of Kutch with a local guide.

www.rannriders.com

Places to Eat

Bhatvari Garden Restaurant, Surat

One of the best places for Gujarati food in Surat, this garden restaurant specializes in authentically prepared Kathiawadi and Marawri Thalis. The food is served in attractive bronze thalis ,with bowls and glasses to match. Relax in one of the charming thatched pavilions and let the traditionally attired waiters cater to your every whim

www.bhatvari.com

Bhajiyas in Gondal

Before you start on the tour of palaces in Gondal, stop for a while at the Bhajiya or Pakora Shop near the railway station- these fried delights are to die for. The darbar bhajiya platter comprises seven different deep-fried batter-coated vegetable fritters with dips and accompaniments like pickles, chutneys and chopped onions.

Rajwadu,Ahemdabad

For a fantastic Gujrati food, in a wonderfully ambient setting, look no further than Rajwadu, an open air restaurant with a colorfully rustic courtyard. Sit out on the charpoys and watch the nightly folk dance performances, before relaxing over dinner in cosy balcony-like sitting areas around water areas.

Non Veg Street Food, Old City, Ahemdabad

Head into the winding galis from the old city’s Teen Darwaza, and you will find the most delicious, most rebelliously non-vegeterian treats in the state. Ask any rickshaw driver to direct you to Bhatiyar Gali, where the rich aroma of grilling meats permates the air. Here cooks, known as bhatiyaras , fry mutton, lamb ,liver,fish bheja and chicken all marinated in their signature masalas. Besides their tawas, many will have handis on the fire filled with paya, bhuna gosht and murgi curry. Find a nook and finish you meal with tawa-fried pau.

Simran,Ahemdabad

This restaurant has brought street- side tawa cuisine into a more comfortable setting. Their tiger prawns, gurdha kaleji, mutton masala, tawa kheema, sheikh kebabs and paneer tikkas are well known, for a truly royal repast try the Shahi Raan, roasted leg of lamb.

Beside Honda Showroom, Khanpur, Lal Darwaza