Certainly! Below is a complete, detailed, and self-sufficient guide to the Top 10 Restaurants in Gaya and Bodh Gaya, including cost per person, location, timings, must-try dishes, ambience, and local tips — perfect for any new tourist or city visitor.
1. The Spice Affair (Gaya)
- Type: Multi-Cuisine, Casual Dining
- Cuisine: Indian, Mughlai, Chinese, South Indian
- Average Cost per Person: ₹250–₹400
- Timings: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
- Location: Gandhi Maidan Road, Dulhingunj
- Must-Try:
- Butter Chicken
- Biryani
- Masala Dosa
- Mango Lassi
- Ambience: Bollywood-themed, vibrant interiors
- Tip: Good choice for both lunch & dinner, suitable for small celebrations
2. Paprika Fine Dine Pure Veg Restaurant (Gaya)
- Type: Pure Veg, Fine Dining
- Cuisine: North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Jain-friendly
- Average Cost per Person: ₹300–₹450
- Timings: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Location: Dulhingunj, Gaya (near Kiran Cinema)
- Must-Try:
- Tandoori Paneer
- Special Thali
- Kurkure Momos
- Butterscotch Shake
- Ambience: AC family restaurant with elegant seating
- Tip: Ideal for vegetarian families; gets busy post 7 PM, so consider early dinner
3. Black Heart Café (Gaya)
- Type: Café and Lounge
- Cuisine: Continental, Italian, Indian Snacks
- Average Cost per Person: ₹200–₹300
- Timings: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Location: Kareem Ganj, Gaya
- Must-Try:
- Veg Burger
- Loaded Fries
- Oreo Shake
- Ambience: Youthful, quirky décor with lounge music
- Tip: Ideal for couples and college students; perfect for light brunch
4. BrooD’s Play N Eat (Gaya)
- Type: Fun + Food Concept Restaurant
- Cuisine: Indian, Chinese, Fusion Fast Food
- Average Cost per Person: ₹250–₹350
- Timings: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Location: AN Road, Yasin Complex, Gaya
- Must-Try:
- Singapore Noodles
- Masala Fries
- Softy with Brownie
- Ambience: Kids zone, VR games, neon lighting
- Tip: Best for kids & birthday parties — reserve in advance on weekends
5. Coffee Roaster’s Café (Gaya)
- Type: Modern Café
- Cuisine: Coffee, Sandwiches, Continental
- Average Cost per Person: ₹150–₹250
- Timings: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Location: Chanakyapuri Colony, Judges Compound
- Must-Try:
- Cappuccino
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Chocolate Lava Cake
- Ambience: Cosy with rooftop and garden seating
- Tip: Go during sunset for a beautiful rooftop view
6. Athithyam Restaurant (Gaya)
- Type: South Indian Restaurant
- Cuisine: South Indian
- Average Cost per Person: ₹100–₹200
- Timings: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Location: Near Polytechnic Chowk, Gaya
- Must-Try:
- Masala Dosa
- Medu Vada
- Filter Coffee
- Ambience: Clean and minimal with fast service
- Tip: Perfect for breakfast before a temple visit
7. Be Happy Café (Bodh Gaya)
- Type: International Vegetarian Café
- Cuisine: Italian, Tibetan, Bakery
- Average Cost per Person: ₹250–₹350
- Timings: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Location: Kalachakra Ground Area
- Must-Try:
- Carrot Cake
- Spaghetti Pomodoro
- Herbal Tea
- Ambience: Western-style café with relaxed indoor seating
- Tip: Perfect spot for breakfast or dessert — arrives early as cakes sell out
8. Tibet Om Café (Bodh Gaya)
- Type: Tibetan Homestyle Café
- Cuisine: Tibetan, Nepali, Indian
- Average Cost per Person: ₹120–₹200
- Timings: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Location: Near Thai Monastery
- Must-Try:
- Thukpa
- Vegetable Momos
- Tingmo with Dal
- Ambience: Rustic, monastery-style seating
- Tip: You can ask for less spicy versions; good for vegans
9. Maya Heritage Restaurant (Bodh Gaya)
- Type: Heritage Fine Dining
- Cuisine: Indian, Continental
- Average Cost per Person: ₹400–₹500
- Timings: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
- Location: Behind Hotel Maya Heritage, Bodh Gaya
- Must-Try:
- Paneer Butter Masala
- Garlic Naan
- Brownie with Ice Cream
- Ambience: Colonial charm with candle-lit dinner options
- Tip: Best for couples and special dinners — reservations recommended
10. Nirvana The Veg Café (Bodh Gaya)
- Type: Budget-Friendly Vegetarian Café
- Cuisine: Indian, Tibetan, Light Snacks
- Average Cost per Person: ₹150–₹250
- Timings: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Location: Near Kalachakra Ground, Bodh Gaya
- Must-Try:
- Veg Thali
- Ginger Lemon Tea
- Aloo Paratha
- Ambience: Quiet, clean, and peaceful
- Tip: Good for solo travelers and monks — cash only
Quick Comparison Table
| No. | Restaurant | Area | Cuisine Type | Cost/Person | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paprika Fine Dine | Gaya | Pure Veg, Multi | ₹300–₹450 | Family dinners, Jain meals |
| 2 | The Spice Affair | Gaya | Indian, Mughlai | ₹250–₹400 | Group lunches/dinners |
| 3 | Black Heart Café | Gaya | Fusion Café | ₹200–₹300 | Friends, hangouts |
| 4 | BrooD’s Play N Eat | Gaya | Fun Dining | ₹250–₹350 | Kids, birthdays |
| 5 | Coffee Roaster’s Café | Gaya | Café & Snacks | ₹150–₹250 | Rooftop coffee lovers |
| 6 | Athithyam | Gaya | South Indian | ₹100–₹200 | Quick, budget-friendly meals |
| 7 | Nirvana Veg Café | Bodh Gaya | Veg Café | ₹150–₹250 | Calm breakfast/lunch |
| 8 | Tibet Om Café | Bodh Gaya | Tibetan, Vegan | ₹120–₹200 | Monastery-side lunch |
| 9 | Maya Heritage Restro | Bodh Gaya | Heritage Dining | ₹400–₹500 | Romantic or formal dinners |
| 10 | Be Happy Café | Bodh Gaya | Continental, Cake | ₹250–₹350 | Foreigners, dessert cravings |
Final Tips for Foodies
- Best Time to Visit: 1–3 PM (lunch) & 7–9 PM (dinner); avoid 8:30–9:30 PM on weekends due to rush.
- Cash or UPI: Most accept UPI, but cafés like Nirvana or Tibet Om Café may prefer cash.
- Order Early for Local Sweets: Try tilkut and peda in the mornings from Gopal Sweets.
- Street Food: Try litti-chokha, ghugni, and khaja at Tower Chowk or Dulhingunj market.
- Veg or Jain travelers: Gaya has many Jain-friendly and pure-veg options.