Tirupati is one of the most strictly vegetarian towns in India. Almost no restaurants serve meat, eggs, or alcohol within the temple-influence zone around Tirumala and central Tirupati. The local food is south Indian — idli, dosa, vada, sambar, rasam — done well and very cheaply by countless small tiffin centres and meals hotels.
The defining food of Tirupati is the Tirupati laddoo, the temple's official prasadam (consecrated offering). Each laddoo is made on the hill by hundreds of cooks in the temple kitchen, from gram flour, ghee, sugar, cashews, and raisins. It carries Geographical Indication status — only TTD-produced laddoos can use the name. Every pilgrim receives one or more as part of their darshan ticket. Selling Tirupati laddoo outside the temple is illegal.
For sit-down meals in town, Bhimas Deluxe Hotel and Hotel Mayura are reliable mid-range south Indian restaurants. Sri Krishna Bhavan near the bus station does an excellent thali for under ₹150. Up at Tirumala, free meals are served continuously to all pilgrims at the TTD's Annaprasadam complex — clean, vegetarian, and entirely free.