New Delhi: Diwali, the festival of lights, is not just about the celebrations and festivities; it’s also a time to indulge in delicious food with family and friends. During Diwali, feasts are a central part of the celebrations, with a wide array of traditional sweets and snacks being prepared.
If you’re hosting a vegetarian lunch this Diwali, you’ll want a menu that reflects the spirit of the occasion while offering a variety of flavours and textures. However, planning a lunch or dinner party menu can sometimes feel overwhelming, with so many delicious options to choose from. Worry not! We’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ve curated a list of dishes that you can easily prepare at home for your guests, ensuring your Diwali meal is nothing short of spectacular.
Diwali special lunch menu ideas
Celebrate Diwali with a vibrant lunch menu with delicious starters, desserts, main course and beverages.
1, Starters
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Paneer Tikka: Marinated paneer cubes grilled to smoky perfection, bursting with spices and tang.
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Vegetable Samosas: Crisp pastry filled with spicy potatoes and peas, a timeless festival favourite.
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Hara Bhara Kabab: Nutritious patties of spinach, peas, and potatoes, light and flavourful.
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Corn Chaat: Tangy and spicy mixed corn salad with Indian chaat masala and lemon.
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Stuffed Mushrooms: Button mushrooms loaded with cheesy herb filling, baked to savoury delight.
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Aloo Tikki: Crisp fried potato patties served with tangy green and tamarind chutneys.
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Paneer Pakora: Soft paneer slices dipped in chickpea batter and deep-fried until golden.
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Vegetable Spring Rolls: Crunchy rolls filled with seasoned veggies, perfect for starters.
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Dahi Puri: Hollow puris filled with yoghurt, chutneys, and spices, a burst of textures.
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Masala Peanuts: Crunchy peanuts roasted with aromatic Indian spices for a spicy snack.
2. Beverages
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Masala Chai: Warm spiced tea brewed with cardamom and ginger, comforting and aromatic.
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Fresh Aam Panna: Refreshing raw mango drink flavoured with roasted cumin and mint leaves.
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Jaljeera: Tangy cumin and mint cooler to awaken the palate between dishes.
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Rose Lassi: Sweet, creamy yoghurt drink infused with fragrant rose essence.
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Badam Milk: Nutty almond-flavoured milk enriched with saffron, perfect for festive warmth.
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Coconut Water: Natural hydrating drink with a subtle tropical flavour.
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Lemon Mint Cooler: Citrus lemonade blended with fresh mint for a cooling effect.
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Filter Coffee: Traditional South Indian coffee with a rich, robust flavour.
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Thandai: Spiced milk drink with nuts and cardamom, a classic festive sipper.
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Ginger Lime Soda: Fizzy and zesty soda with a ginger kick and lime freshness.
3. Main course
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Paneer Do Pyaza: Soft paneer cooked with double onions and aromatic spices for richness.
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Malai Kofta: Creamy tomato-based curry with melt-in-mouth paneer and veggie balls.
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Dal Makhani: Slow-cooked black lentils in butter and cream, rich and hearty.
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Navratan Korma: Mixed vegetables in a creamy cashew and saffron gravy, delicately spiced.
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Bhindi Masala: Stir-fried okra cooked with tomatoes and robust Indian spices.
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Chole: Chickpeas simmered in a spicy and tangy tomato-onion gravy.
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Vegetable Jalfrezi: Tossed colourful vegetables cooked in a tangy, spiced sauce.
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Baingan Bharta: Smoky mashed roasted eggplant combined with fresh herbs and spices.
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Kadai Paneer: Paneer cubes cooked with bell peppers in a bold, spicy tomato gravy.
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Dhaba Style Aloo Palak: Rustic dry curry of potatoes and spinach, packed with earthy spices.
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Punjabi Kadhi Pakoda: Tangy yoghurt-based curry with soft chickpea flour fritters.
4. Rice and breads
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Vegetable Biryani: A festive dish layered with spiced basmati rice and colourful vegetables, delivering an aromatic and hearty flavour.
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Jeera Rice: Fragrant basmati rice tempered with cumin seeds, perfect for balancing rich curries.
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Peas Pulao: Mildly spiced rice cooked with fresh green peas, light yet flavourful.
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Saffron Rice: Basmati rice infused with saffron strands, adding a subtle floral aroma and golden hue.
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Lemon Rice: Tangy and refreshing rice flavoured with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and lemon juice.
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Tandoori Roti: Soft and wholesome whole wheat flatbread baked in a tandoor, ideal for scooping up rich gravies.
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Butter Naan: Fluffy, leavened bread brushed generously with butter for decadence.
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Missi Roti: Whole wheat flatbread mixed with gram flour and spices, adding extra flavour and texture.
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Laccha Paratha: Multi-layered flaky bread that’s crisp on the outside and soft inside.
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Poori: Deep-fried puffed bread, golden and slightly crisp, a Diwali favourite.
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Rumali Roti: Thin, soft bread folded like a handkerchief, delicate and light.
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Phulka: Simple, puffed whole wheat bread cooked on direct flame, light and healthy.
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Kulcha: Soft bread, typically stuffed or plain, baked until golden brown.
5. Desserts
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Kesar Phirni: Creamy rice pudding scented with saffron and garnished with pistachios.
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Sugar-Free Dry Fruit Ladoo: Energy-packed sweets naturally sweetened with dates and nuts.
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Gajar Halwa: Traditional carrot pudding slow-cooked with ghee and cardamom warmth.
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Rasgulla: Soft, spongy cottage cheese balls soaked in light sugar syrup.
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Gulab Jamun: Deep-fried milk dumplings drenched in fragrant rose and cardamom syrup.
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Besan Ladoo: Sweet balls of roasted chickpea flour, ghee, and jaggery for rustic charm.
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Moong Dal Halwa: Rich, melt-in-mouth dessert made from yellow lentils and ghee.
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Sandesh: A Delicate Bengali sweet made with fresh paneer and subtly flavoured.
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Coconut Ladoo: Sweet, chewy balls made from grated coconut and condensed milk.
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Fruit Custard: Creamy custard mixed with fresh seasonal fruits for a refreshing finish.
This lavish Diwali lunch menu encapsulates the colours and flavours of the festival, offering a perfect balance of textures and tastes. Whether at home, hosting or celebrating on the move, these dishes will make your Diwali 2025 a truly delicious and memorable occasion.