You've probably heard about the beaches and scuba diving, but the food of Andaman and Nicobar Islands deserves just as much attention on your vacation. Bengali settlers, Tamil migrants, Punjabi traders and the indigenous Nicobarese and Great Andamanese communities have all shaped what lands on a plate here.
The result is a coastline of fish curries, coconut everything, and a surprising number of veg thalis placed between the seafood shacks. Here's your complete guide to eating your way through the islands.
What Makes the Food of Andaman and Nicobar Islands So Special?
Being surrounded by the Bay of Bengal, it makes sense that seafood sits at the centre of the food of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Fish, prawns, crabs and lobster get pulled straight from the water and cooked the same day. Coconut shows up everywhere too, in curries, chutneys, and even desserts, since the islands grow it in abundance.
Layer on Bengali mustard and turmeric, Tamil rice traditions, Punjabi tandoor cooking, and Nicobarese methods using bamboo and banana, and you get a cuisine that changes flavour from one street to the next in Port Blair (now officially Sri Vijaya Puram).
Tribe Travel Tip: Ask your homestay host what's fresh that day. On the islands, the catch decides the menu more than the restaurant does.
What Is the Most Famous Food of Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
If you ask any local, the famous food of Andaman and Nicobar Islands almost always starts with fish curry. It's cooked in a coconut milk gravy with turmeric and tamarind, tangy and rich at once.
Andaman Fish Curry
This dish is made with fresh fish, coconut milk, turmeric, and tamarind, giving it a tangy and creamy flavour with a bit of heat. It’s usually served over steamed rice.
- Where you can find it: Ananda Restaurant and Full Moon Cafe in Port Blair
- Average cost: ₹300 to ₹450 a plate
Coconut Prawn Curry
Plump prawns simmer in a coconut milk base flavoured with curry leaves and ginger, giving you something rich without feeling heavy. It has a mild sweetness from the coconut that evens out the spice, which is probably why it shows up on almost every seafood menu in Port Blair. You'll usually get it with rice on the side to soak up the gravy.
- Where you can find it: Full Moon Cafe, Ananda Restaurant, and Amaya rooftop at SeaShell Marine Hill
- Average cost: ₹450 to ₹700
Grilled or Tandoori Lobster
Lobster here comes straight from the surrounding waters, so freshness is never a question. It gets marinated in Indian spices and either grilled over open flame or slow-cooked in a tandoor, which gives the meat a smoky edge while keeping it tender inside. A squeeze of lemon or a side of garlic butter is the usual finishing touch.
- Where you can find it: Amaya, New Lighthouse Restaurant
- Average cost: ₹1,200 to ₹2,000 depending on size
Which Traditional Food of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Should You Not Miss?
Beyond the seafood classics, the traditional food of Andaman and Nicobar Islands includes dishes tied closely to the indigenous communities and the Bengali settlers who arrived generations ago.
Bamboo Shoot Curry
This special Bamboo Shoot Curry is cooked with local spices until they are soft and earthy. It comes from Andamanese cooking. It has a mild tang and is enjoyed as a daily comfort food, not just for special occasions.
- Where you can find it: Ananda Restaurant, Full Moon Cafe, and street stalls at Aberdeen Bazaar
- Average cost: ₹150 to ₹250
Macher Jhol
If you've ever had Bengali food back home, this fish stew will feel familiar. Fish gets cooked down with potatoes, mustard seeds, turmeric and tomatoes into a light, broth-style curry that leans more comforting than fiery. It's a legacy of the Bengali settlers who brought their kitchen traditions with them to the islands.
- Where you can find it: home-style eateries around Port Blair
- Average cost: ₹200 to ₹350
Andaman Biryani
The local biryani features fragrant rice layered with seafood or chicken and whole spices, making it aromatic but not too heavy. It combines Bengali and South Indian influences instead of sticking to one style. You’ll often find it served for lunch in Port Blair’s restaurants.
- Where you can find it: Gagan Restaurant, near the clock tower in Port Blair's main market
- Average cost: ₹200 to ₹350
Tribe Travel Tip: Skip turtle meat even if it's offered as a local speciality. It's protected under conservation rules and best left off your plate entirely.
Where Can You Find the Best Veg Food of Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
Seafood gets all the attention, but the famous veg food of Andaman and Nicobar Islands holds its own, especially with coconut-based curries and a strong South Indian presence in Port Blair.
Coconut Vegetable Curry
A mix of vegetables like potatoes, beans and carrots gets simmered in a coconut milk gravy with everyday spices. It's mild enough for most palates and pairs well with both rice and roti. It's a reflection of how coconut shapes cooking here.
- Where you can find it: Icy Spicy and Shakahari
- Average cost: ₹150 to ₹300
Amritsari Kulcha with Chole
Not originally from the islands, this stuffed bread arrived with Punjabi settlers and stuck around as a local favourite. The dough gets packed with spiced mashed potatoes and onions, then baked until golden, and it's almost always served with a side of spicy chickpea curry and pickle. It's a filling, fulfilling option if you want a break from seafood.
- Where you can find it: Delhi Vala Restaurant and other North Indian eateries in Port Blair
- Average cost: ₹120 to ₹220
South Indian Thali and Dosa
Thanks to a strong Tamil influence in Port Blair, South Indian food here holds its own against the seafood scene. Crisp dosas, fluffy idlis and full thalis with rice, sambar and chutneys are all easy to find at the city's pure veg spots. It's comfort food that feels familiar no matter where in India you're travelling from.
- Where you can find it: Annapurna, a long-standing pure veg spot in Port Blair
- Average cost: ₹150 to ₹300
Banana Fritters
Ripe bananas get dipped in a sweet batter and deep-fried until the outside becomes crisp and golden while the inside stays soft. It's a snack you'll spot at roadside stalls throughout the day, popular with locals and visitors alike. Simple, sweet and quick to grab between sightseeing stops.
- Where you can find it: street stalls around Aberdeen Bazaar
- Average cost: ₹30 to ₹60
What Does a Typical Meal Cost Across Port Blair?
Your meal cost really comes down to where you eat. Here's a quick breakdown to help you plan.
Type of eatery | What you can get | Average cost per person |
Local eatery or street stall | Simple thalis, fish fry, snacks | ₹200 to ₹400 |
Mid-range restaurant | Seafood curries, biryani, thalis | ₹600 to ₹1,000 |
Fine dining or resort restaurant | Grilled lobster, seafood platters, sea views | ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 |
Conclusion
The food in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is just as memorable as the beaches. You can enjoy coconut prawn curry by the sea or try a Nicobarese bamboo shoot curry that’s unique to the islands. Whether you want fresh seafood or tasty vegetarian thalis, you will be going back with a full stomach.
If planning your vacation to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands feels confusing, advisors at Holiday Tribe can help put together an Andaman travel package customised just for you, with stays and day-to-day itineraries. Get in touch to start planning today.
