Get The Real 'Khaike Paan Banaras Wala' Feels With A Visit To These 5 Paan Shops In Varanasi

A visit to Varanasi would remain incomplete without tasting a mouthful of their superbly creative paan preparations. With some shops as old as over 150 years, they boast of some crazy varieties of paan that have coloured the lips of renowned personalities from the world over. So check out these places to taste the best paan in Varanasi while you hum ‘khaike paan Banaras wala’!

1. Ramchandra Chaurasia Tambul Bhandar 

One of the most popular places to head out for a mouthful of Banarasi paan is Ramchandra Chaurasia Tambul Bhandar. They bring over 50 years of expertise in creating some of the most flavourful paans you’d ever be blessed with. Known for their multi-flavoured paans with exotic masalas and condiments, you’d never be able to have just one. They have even served their preparations to numerous celebrities and politicians over the years and have also created a name for themselves as manufacturers and exporters of flavoured paan. *Woah!*

Location | CK 19/16-A, RB Collection Pvt. Ltd., Ash Barrio, North Chowk
Check Out Their Website | http://banarasipaan.in/

2. Keshav Tambul Bhandar 

Picture Credits: Atishay jain

This one’s big - no not in terms of the size of the shop but the significance the place holds. Located near Ravidas Gate before the Lanka intersection, it’s over 60 years old! What’s most special about this place is that they have different paans for different seasons, such as the Maghai Paan from December to April, Jagannathi Paan from May to July and Desi Paan from August to September. However, Sanchi Paan is available round the year and their special Gilori Paan has impressed the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Mulayam Singh, Amit Sham & others.

Location | Swastik Plaza, Lanka Rd, Near Ravidas Gate, Anandbagh, Lanka

3. Banaras Paan Store

Another popular store is this one with almost 30 varieties of paan up for grabs. Using numerous mixtures, they ace the art of creating some of the most flavourful paans you would ever taste. From varieties such as Banarasi Saada Paan, Banarasi Paan Navratan, Banarasi Paan Rajratan, Banarasi Paan Meetha with Gulkand mixture, Banarasi Paan Gulab, Banarasi Paan Gojiya Meetha, Banarasi Paan Panchmeva Malai, Banarasi Paan Kohdan Pagh, Banarasi Paan Ice-cream Parler, Banarasi Mukut Paan, Banarasi Variety Paan and many more, get it all here! *WOAH*

Location | H. No.-A 13/1 Prahlad Ghat
Here’s Their Website | http://www.banaraspanstore.com/ 
Check Out Their FB | https://www.facebook.com/Banaras-Paan-Store-477173932307775/

4. Krishna Paan Bhandar

Located near the Nadesar area in Varanasi, this shop is over 100 years old! The legacy of this store has been carried forward through many generations and is currently being maintained by Chotelal. They sell all sorts of creative paans, however it is said that Choti Patti paan is the one with the highest demand at this place. Great personalities like Queen Victoria, Jawaharlal Nehru, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Aamir Khan, Asrani, Aditya Pancholi and others are said to have tasted the paans from this shop.

Location | Main House Contentment, Nadesar

5. Deepak Tambul Bhandar AKA Mohanlal Paan Wale

Picture Credits: Aniruddha Bhattacharjee

Located in Vishwanath Gali in Varanasi, Deepak Tambul Bhandar also known as Mohanlal Paan Wale is pretty famous in the area. The shop is said to be over 150 years old and is currently being run by the fourth generation of the family. They deal in numerous varieties of paan, however the Maghai Paan is always in high demand at this shop. What’s special about this store is that they do not use commercial Zarda in their paan. Instead, they make use of homemade Zarda that has a lower intensity of nicotine. Their Gilori Paan is a definite must-try.

Location | 6/29 Rani Bhawani Gali, Tripura Bhairavi Rd, Lahori Tola

Be sure to head to at least one of these places and try out their superb creations when you’re in Varanasi.