Surat — diamonds, legendary street food & the Tapi
One of the world's fastest-growing cities and the processing hub for nine of every ten diamonds polished on Earth. Less obvious (but very real): Surat has one of India's great street-food cultures and a genuinely pleasant new Tapi riverfront.
The diamond capital you're not expecting to love
Surat is huge, car-dominated and surprisingly clean for its size. The key reason to come: food. The locho, khaman, nankhatai, bhel, and undhiyu traditions here are considered among the best in India — even locals in Mumbai say "Surat food is different". Visit Gopipura and Zampa Bazaar in the old city and watch a whole street eat out together from 7 pm.
You can also visit a diamond polishing workshop with prior arrangement — ask your hotel concierge to organise a small-group visit. Most of the world's polished diamonds pass through one of these courtyards.
Add Surat
Don't be put off by the industrial reputation — come hungry.