Cookies! They are not just something we eat. This site uses cookies so we can provide you the best user experience and deliver advertising and offers that are relevant to you. To read more about our cookie policy, including how to change your cookie settings, please read our Privacy and Cookie Policy. By continuing to use the site you are agreeing to our cookie policy.
I accept
VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Manisha (food tour)

Pondicherry, India

USD
$40 per person

Food tour in Pondicherry, explore the rich culinary heritage

Host offerings
  • Cooking studio
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Manisha (food tour)

Born in Nagaland to Oriya parents and raised in West Bengal, Manisha has called Pondicherry home for over 40 years. Her diverse cultural background and deep expertise in medicinal plants have shaped her unique culinary approach, blending the rich flavors of Indian and French Creole cuisines. With a passion for food as medicine, she teaches how culinary traditions can enhance health and well-being. Manisha's work has been featured in National Geographic, Conde Nast, ARTE - European Cultural TV, and Hyundai Road Chasers, where she showcases the cultural and medicinal value of food. For over two decades, she has shared her knowledge with thousands of international students through hands-on cooking classes, food walks, and cycle tours in French, English, and various regional Indian languages. Manisha's goal through this Pondicherry culinary tour is to provide a unique opportunity to taste local delicacies, learn about the city’s rich history, and connect with friendly vendors.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Food tour: (1-10 guests) Embark on a 2.5 hour walking food tour in the heart of Pondicherry, guided by a local, Manisha, who will take you through the vibrant streets of the city, weaving through the historical Goubert Market, iconic food stalls, and hidden gems. This culinary adventure is a perfect blend of tasting authentic street food, learning about Pondicherry's rich food heritage, and sharing stories with friendly vendors along the way.

Your tour begins at the bustling Goubert Market, where every stop tells a story of the city's rich food heritage. Here you will sample sweet, locally-grown red bananas, a unique Pondicherry treat. Then step back in time as you visit the historic Indian Coffee House, where you’ll savor aromatic filter coffee that evokes the charm of British colonial days. As you weave through the city's bustling streets, savor quintessential street snacks loved by locals - crispy vegetable bhaji (fritters) and pillowy paniyaram (pan fried lentil dumplings) at the beloved Srim RK Juice Centre on Mission street. As you continue your exploration near the Puducherry railway station, treat yourself to Nizam Soup Stall's famous mutton samosas and soul-warming bone soup. Vegetarians can enjoy hearty potato samosas at Madhu Sweet and Snacks, known for its flavorful treats. For the grand finale, choose between indulging in flaky lachha parathas served with traditional accompaniments, or dive into local tiffin specialties at Cool Cat's, a favorite among food lovers. And no food tour is complete without dessert, so end your adventure with creamy kulfi made from Ponlait, Pondicherry’s own beloved dairy brand.

This Pondicherry food tour is not just about eating - it’s about connecting with the history, culture, meeting the vendors who make it so special, and experiencing the city through the eyes of a local. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this immersive culinary journey offers a delightful way to taste the true flavors of Pondicherry. Perfect for food lovers and travelers seeking an immersive culinary experience in Pondicherry, with local delicacies, insights into the city's culinary history, and connections with friendly vendors.

Notes: Manisha can accommodate a vegetarian diet on her Pondicherry food experience. Put on your comfiest shoes, wear something breezy, grab a hat, and come hungry!

Languages spoken: English, French and 4 Indian Languages (Tamil, Hindi, Oriya, Bengali)

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Sampling of 5-6 local foods:
  • Locally-grown sweet red bananas
  • Filter coffee
  • Vegetable bhaji (fritters)
  • Paniyaram (pan fried lentil dumplings)
  • Mutton samosa (non-veg) or Potato samosa (veg)
  • Lachha paratha (flatbread) or Local tiffin specialties
  • Creamy kulfi (icecream)
5631c3ed 376c 4628 9e54 1154412b5e80

Manisha (food tour)

$40 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
 $40 $40 $40
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
 $40 $40 $40
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Food Tour
 5:00pm-8:00pm

Meet Manisha (food tour)

Born in Nagaland to Oriya parents and raised in West Bengal, Manisha has called Pondicherry home for over 40 years. Her diverse cultural background and deep expertise in medicinal plants have shaped her unique culinary approach, blending the rich flavors of Indian and French Creole cuisines. With a passion for food as medicine, she teaches how culinary traditions can enhance health and well-being. Manisha's work has been featured in National Geographic, Conde Nast, ARTE - European Cultural TV, and Hyundai Road Chasers, where she showcases the cultural and medicinal value of food. For over two decades, she has shared her knowledge with thousands of international students through hands-on cooking classes, food walks, and cycle tours in French, English, and various regional Indian languages. Manisha's goal through this Pondicherry culinary tour is to provide a unique opportunity to taste local delicacies, learn about the city’s rich history, and connect with friendly vendors.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Food tour: (1-10 guests) Embark on a 2.5 hour walking food tour in the heart of Pondicherry, guided by a local, Manisha, who will take you through the vibrant streets of the city, weaving through the historical Goubert Market, iconic food stalls, and hidden gems. This culinary adventure is a perfect blend of tasting authentic street food, learning about Pondicherry's rich food heritage, and sharing stories with friendly vendors along the way.

Your tour begins at the bustling Goubert Market, where every stop tells a story of the city's rich food heritage. Here you will sample sweet, locally-grown red bananas, a unique Pondicherry treat. Then step back in time as you visit the historic Indian Coffee House, where you’ll savor aromatic filter coffee that evokes the charm of British colonial days. As you weave through the city's bustling streets, savor quintessential street snacks loved by locals - crispy vegetable bhaji (fritters) and pillowy paniyaram (pan fried lentil dumplings) at the beloved Srim RK Juice Centre on Mission street. As you continue your exploration near the Puducherry railway station, treat yourself to Nizam Soup Stall's famous mutton samosas and soul-warming bone soup. Vegetarians can enjoy hearty potato samosas at Madhu Sweet and Snacks, known for its flavorful treats. For the grand finale, choose between indulging in flaky lachha parathas served with traditional accompaniments, or dive into local tiffin specialties at Cool Cat's, a favorite among food lovers. And no food tour is complete without dessert, so end your adventure with creamy kulfi made from Ponlait, Pondicherry’s own beloved dairy brand.

This Pondicherry food tour is not just about eating - it’s about connecting with the history, culture, meeting the vendors who make it so special, and experiencing the city through the eyes of a local. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this immersive culinary journey offers a delightful way to taste the true flavors of Pondicherry. Perfect for food lovers and travelers seeking an immersive culinary experience in Pondicherry, with local delicacies, insights into the city's culinary history, and connections with friendly vendors.

Notes: Manisha can accommodate a vegetarian diet on her Pondicherry food experience. Put on your comfiest shoes, wear something breezy, grab a hat, and come hungry!

Languages spoken: English, French and 4 Indian Languages (Tamil, Hindi, Oriya, Bengali)

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Sampling of 5-6 local foods:
  • Locally-grown sweet red bananas
  • Filter coffee
  • Vegetable bhaji (fritters)
  • Paniyaram (pan fried lentil dumplings)
  • Mutton samosa (non-veg) or Potato samosa (veg)
  • Lachha paratha (flatbread) or Local tiffin specialties
  • Creamy kulfi (icecream)
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
 $40 $40 $40
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
 $40 $40 $40
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Food Tour
 5:00pm-8:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.