Want to give yourself a break from the daily grind of the kitchen and yet it’s that hapless end of the month pulling at your purse strings? Rest easy, as the city gives you ample opportunities to still indulge and make merry. From traditional to contemporary, spicy to simple, snacks to main course, you can pick your fill without burning a hole in your pocket.

Begin your journey with some good non-veg fare at amazing prices at the many kaka (Malayalee Muslim) joints, like the Imperial Restaurant , and gorge yourself on beef, meat and chicken dishes. The must tries here are Kerala-style fish fries and fish curries with appams, parothas or steamed rice. Smaller food stalls sell kebabs by weight, so for a nominal amount you could buy quite a fill.

For some good reasonably-priced biriyanis, visit the legendary Taj Restaurant at Shivajinagar ; the aromas wafting from this place will make your head spin. If you are planning to pick up some grilled and roasted chicken for the weekend bash, head off to Siddique Kebab Centre on Coles Road. The traffic here is a little chaotic but it’s worth a dekho for its value-for-money meals. The various dhabas that dot the highway on the outskirts of the city too serve good grub at reasonable prices.

To wash down these scrumptious chows, try some fresh fruit juices at one of the numerous juice stalls that dot the city’s landscape. Other low-cost thirst quenchers are buttermilk and the good old lassi--Punjab’s gift to the nation. Try out some desi coolants at the shop near Koshy’s on St Marks Road that serves yummy lassis and other frosty delights.

If you are looking for a light evening snack, head off to Mangalore Stores for its great snacks, pickles and squashes. And as you stroll down one of the city boulevards, stop by the ubiquitous push cart selling those mouth-watering pani puri, masala puri, masala samosa, and bhel puri. Such is the effect of these dishes on the city’s gastronomic psyche that the Darshini group of restaurants has started including these all-time favourite snacks in their menu, apart from serving a delightful vegetarian fare. You also get good samosas at Bhagatrams on Commercial Street and in many small eateries at Shivajinagar market.

So what are you waiting for … go ahead and enjoy!