Thanjavur sits at the heart of Tamil Nadu's rice bowl, and the local cuisine reflects this — rice-based meals, Chettinad-influenced spices, and plenty of south Indian breakfast staples. The town is not a culinary destination in itself, but good meals are easy to find around the temple area and near the bus stand.
Most restaurants are vegetarian or predominantly vegetarian, with a few serving non-vegetarian dishes. Prices are low by any standard.