Sambalpur's restaurant scene is modest but satisfying, with a focus on Odia home cooking rather than tourist fare. Rice-based meals dominate — mustard fish curry, mixed vegetable dalma (lentils cooked with vegetables), and pakhala (fermented rice water, refreshing in the heat) are staples you will find in local dhabas along the main roads. Thali restaurants near the bus stand serve filling vegetarian meals at low prices throughout the day.
For a slightly more comfortable setting, a handful of hotels around Sambalpur Road offer multi-cuisine menus that include Bengali, South Indian, and north Indian dishes alongside Odia standards. Sweet shops sell traditional chhena-based desserts and rasagola, and the evening street-food stalls near the Samaleswari Temple area are worth visiting for snacks after a temple visit.