Mathura is a famous holy city situated in Western Uttar Pradesh. It is well-known for its temples and also for its food and delicacies, especially the sweets, which are prepared here. It is frequently referred to as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, a revered Hindu deity. The inhabitants of this beautiful town are mostly vegetarian. Thus, the local cuisine is devoid of meats. However, milk and milk products are extensively used and consumed in large quantities, more so in the preparation of mithais like peda, rasmalai, malpua and many more. The taste of Mathura is said, best enjoyed on the streets, rather than sophisticated fine dine restaurants.

• Mathura Peda:

Mathura is well-known for its signature sweet, the Peda. It is a sweet, which is as delicious as it is simple. Made from Milk, sugar powder, condensed milk and ghee, it is available throughout the year. It is highly popular among the locals and visitors.

• Mathura Dubki wale Aloo:

The Dubki wale Aloo is a thin curry made from Potatoes. Although spicy and tangy in taste due to the addition of many local spices like black pepper, chilli, cardamom, cinnamon and mango powder, vegetables like onion and garlic are completely avoided. The curry is usually paired with pooris.

• Ghewar:

Ghewar is a sweet dish of Rajasthani origin. It is not available throughout the year and is specially prepared only during the Raksha Bhandan festival, which celebrates the Brother-Sister relationship. It is made from flour and ghee and flavoured with cardamom and nuts like almonds and pistachios and deep fried in oil or ghee. Finally, soaked in sugar syrup and served hot.

• Thandai:

Thandai is a drink that is served cold. It requires a large assortment of dry fruits and nuts. Milk is the main ingredient which gets flavoured and sugar is added to give it a sweet taste. The drink is well known for its taste texture and smell and is served on special occasions to guests. It is very popular during the summer season as a soothing drink.

• Kachori Jalebi:

Kachori and Jalebi is the most common breakfast combination eaten at Mathura. Both are fried foods. Kachori is a stuffed savoury and may be served with potato curry and Jalebi is a sweet dish prepared in sugar syrup. This pairing is available in a very few places outside Mathura and best enjoyed in one of the numerous Kachori and Jalebi shops of Mathura.

• Soan Papdi:

Another dessert that is popular among the sweet loving residents of Mathura. Soan papdi is a square shaped sweetmeat, which has a crispy, thin and flaky texture. It is very brittle and has a delicate taste, which melts in the mouth. Cardamom is also used and there are many variations of it, as well like Orange soan papdi, Coconut Soan papdi, chocolate soan papdi, etc.

• Aloo Chaat:

Aloo chaat is tasty comfort food that is easily found in all corners of Mathura. There is no de facto recipe, with the only rule being the usage of potato as a base. Different combination of spices, sauces and chutneys are served at different places. The typical aloo chaat is made with onions, tomatoes and chilli powder and served with tamarind or mango chutney.

• Ras Malai:

Ras malai is another sweet dish of Mathura. It consists of a creamy a ball of paneer that is soaked completely in clotted cream. Cardamom is used to flavour the clotted cream. Ras malai has a tender taste. It is said to be good roughage and helps in the digestive process. Ras malai bears a close resemblance to Rasagullas of Bengal in both taste and texture.