The Broke Student's Guide to Vadodara: 7 Amazing Food Joints Where You Can Eat Well for Under ₹150 !!

 

Are you a Vadodara student? Is the month-end knocking at your wallet with a hesitated look?, but your hunger for good food is burning brighter than ever? We all know that feeling of standing in front of our skimpy wallets and thinking whether it's going to be yet another night of "hostel special" instant noodles.

But fear not! As a fellow student who’s navigated the same financial tightrope, I’ve made it my mission to explore every nook and cranny of this amazing city to find the best-kept secrets for delicious, filling, and most importantly ridiculously affordable meals.

Forget about settling for taste. Here's your complete guide to 7 iconic places in Baroda where you can enjoy a great meal for less than the cost of a movie ticket (less than ₹150!).

1. Raju Bhai's Maggi & Sandwich Point

Address: Outside the rear gate of MSU's Faculty of Commerce (just next to the University Pavilion). You won't be able to miss the crowd.

What to Order: The iconic Schezwan Cheese Maggi. It's not Maggi, it's a feeling. Creamy, spicy, and full of cheese, it's the stuff comfort food dreams are made of.

Approximate Price: ₹90 for a big, cheesy serving.

The Vibe: Direct, student mess in the best possible way. The sizzle of butter and chatter of students discussing their next class is the actual background score here.

2. Jay Mahakali Sev Usal

Where: Across the busy Kirti Stambh in the old city (Raopura area).

What to Try: The eponymous Sev Usal. A hot, sour, and rich pea-based curry topped with a sev mountain, farsan, and a dash of lemon. With a soft pav, it's an explosion of flavors.

Approximate Price: A full plate of Usal with Pav is about ₹120.

The Vibe: A no-nonsense, crowded place that's a Vadodara institution. It's never empty, which is how you know it's good.

3. Mandap Café

Location: Located in the lane next to Inox Cinema, Fatehgunj.

What to Order: Their Punjabi Samosa or the Cheese Frankie. The samosa is gigantic, filled with a spicy potato mixture, and served with chutneys. The Frankie is a beautifully rolled piece of heaven.

Approximate Price: Samosa with chutney: ₹50. Frankie: ₹110.

The Vibe: The top hangout place for an immediate bite between a movie or after one. It's tiny, perpetually crowded, and bears the quintessential college days café vibe.

4. Samrat Restaurant (The Lassi King)

Location: Off the Old City's main road near Nyay Mandir.

What to Get: Only the Masti Thali or an enormous Sweet Lassi. The thali provides you with a little bit of everything – dal, kadhi, vegetables, roti, and rice – and is ridiculously good value.

How Much: The Masti Thali costs an unbelievable ₹140. A large Lassi costs about ₹80.

The Vibe: A lively, straight-talking restaurant that doesn't mess around: generous portions of tasty, comforting food. You're here to eat, and you're leaving satisfied and stuffed.

5. Jagdish Chaat & Juice Center

Where: Near Makarpura Road, a hit with students from the nearby colleges.

What to Order: Dahi Puri or Pani Puri. Their puris are always crunchy, the fillings are fresh, and the pani is perfectly sweet and spicy.

Approximate Price: You can get a plate of Dahi Puri or Pani Puri at around ₹60-70.

The Vibe: A clean, light, and trustworthy place for your chaat hunger. It's ideal for a refreshing evening snack without burning a hole in your pocket.

6. Bombay Chat Center

Location: Right across the main entrance of MSU University on Fatehgunj Main Road.

What to Order: Pav Bhaji is a buttery, spicy masterclass here. It's the student staple.

Approximate Price: A plate of yummy Pav Bhaji costs about ₹130.

The Vibe: A legendary hangout spot for every MSU student. It's always chock-a-block with energy, ranging from fresherers to alumni returning to old haunts.

7. Ganga-Jamna Tea Stall

Location: In the bylanes close to Kirti Mandir, it's a sort of hidden gem.

What to Order: Their signature Masala Chai and Bun Maska. The tea is strong, milky, and perfectly spiced, while the bun maska is soft and buttery.

Approximate Price: A cutting chai for ₹20 and Bun Maska for ₹30. Total bliss for ₹50!

The Vibe: The ultimate "tapri" experience. Pull up a plastic stool, drink cutting chai, and figure out all the world's problems with your friends. It's not just a tea stall; it's a therapy session.

What's Your Favorite food? Comment Down Below!!