Vadodara eats well. Like the rest of Gujarat it is overwhelmingly vegetarian, with a strong tradition of the all-you-can-eat Gujarati thali -- a parade of small bowls of dal, kadhi, vegetables, rotli, rice, pickles, and sweets. Try one at least once. Beyond that, the city has a lively student-driven scene of paratha specialists, sizzler joints, and Indian-Chinese places, plus a handful of more ambitious multi-cuisine restaurants clustered in the Alkapuri and Old Padra Road neighbourhoods. Remember Gujarat is a dry state -- no alcohol with dinner.