Meerut's food culture centres on the old city's street food scene, which is considered among the best in western UP. The city is particularly known for its chaat — the sweet, sour, spicy snack plates that are eaten at roadside stalls throughout north India — and locals insist that Meerut's versions are superior to Delhi's. The area around Ghanta Ghar (the old clock tower in the city centre) has a concentration of good stalls.
The city also has a strong Muslim food tradition reflecting its demographic composition, with excellent kebabs, nihari (slow-cooked meat broth eaten at breakfast), and biryani available in the old city lanes. Sit-down restaurants tend toward north Indian standards; for the interesting food, follow the street.