Esphahan

Top choice in Agra


There are only two sittings each evening at Agra's finest restaurant, so booking ahead is essential, especially as non-hotel-guest tables are limited. The exquisite menu is chock-full of unique delicacies, with the modern fusion tasting menus and Indian thalis offering the best selection.

Anything that comes out of the succulent North Indian tandoor is a showstopper (especially the bharwan aloo, a potato kebab stuffed with nuts, spices, mint and coriander). Melt-in-your-mouth dishes such as aloobukhara maaz (a Mughlai lamb kebab stuffed with prunes) redefine lamb as most know it. It's all set to a romantic background soundtrack of a live santoor (a stringed instrument) player. A special night.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Agra attractions

1. Jawab

0.52 MILES

The jawab, to the east of the Taj Mahal itself, was built for symmetry purposes, matching up identically with the red-sandstone mosque to the west.

2. Taj Mahal

0.58 MILES

Poet Rabindranath Tagore described it as 'a teardrop on the cheek of eternity'; Rudyard Kipling as 'the embodiment of all things pure'; while its creator,…

3. Taj Museum

0.59 MILES

Within the Taj complex, on the western side of the gardens, is the small but excellent Taj Museum, housing a number of original Mughal miniature paintings…

4. Mosque

0.65 MILES

The Taj Mahal's red-sandstone mosque to the west of the main monument is an important gathering place for Agra's Muslims.

5. Mehtab Bagh

0.85 MILES

This park, originally built by Emperor Babur as the last in a series of 11 parks on the Yamuna’s east bank (long before the Taj was conceived), fell into…

6. Khas Mahal

1.7 MILES

This beautiful marble pavillion and pool formed the living quarters of Shah Jahan, while the large attached courtyard housed the court harem.

7. Jehangir's Palace

1.73 MILES

This huge red-sandstone palace inside Agra Fort, a combination of Indian and Central Asian architectural styles, was most likely built by the Mughal ruler…

8. Amar Singh Gate

1.74 MILES

The sole entry point to Agra Fort, and where you buy your entrance ticket.