A simple bowl of chopped fruits is the first thing that comes to mind when we think of fruit salad. But fruit salad comes in different versions across in India. It’s a mix of tradition, creativity and regional flavour, all in a bowl of fresh food.
Whether you’re looking for a light start to your day, something cooling during the summer, or a fasting-friendly snack, fruit salads in India come in many delightful forms. Every region—and every home—adds its own flavour to this healthy dish, from sweet to spicy, creamy to tangy.
Let’s dive into the many ways Indians make fruit salad.
Classic Indian Fruit Chaat
The classic fruit chaat is probably the most famous type of fruit salad in India. This isn’t just a bowl of cut-up fruit; it’s a flavour bomb. Chaat masala, black salt, roasted cumin powder, and lemon juice are mixed with a variety of seasonal fruits, such as apples, bananas, pomegranate, papaya, and guava. Result? A sweet, sour and spicy treat that will please all your taste buds. It’s a street-side favourite in Delhi, Lucknow, and Mumbai.
Dahi Fruit Salad (Curd-Based Fruit Bowl)
Dahi fruit salad is a summer staple because it is creamy, cool, and good for you. It is also a common food during fasting days. It’s just fresh curd with chopped fruits mixed in. Sometimes honey or cardamom is added for flavour. Some versions also include soaked nuts and raisins for added texture. It’s like dessert, but healthy.
Fruit Custard
A dessert that most Indians grew up with—fruit custard combines the goodness of fruits with the creamy sweetness of vanilla-flavoured custard. Typically served chilled, it includes chopped apples, bananas, grapes and pomegranate mixed into thick custard sauce. It’s a festive favorite, especially at birthdays, weddings and potlucks.
Dry Fruit & Fruit Mix Salad
This one’s a rich twist on the classic. It includes fruits like mangoes, chikoo (sapota), figs, or berries mixed with dry fruits like almonds, walnuts, dates, and cashews. It’s full of natural sugars and healthy fats, so it’s filling and tasty. People often eat it during Navratri fasts or celebrations.
Pazham Salad, or South Indian Style Fruit Salad
South Indian Style Fruit Salad (Pazham Salad)In parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, a unique version of fruit salad is made using chopped fresh fruits mixed with sweetened coconut milk. Sometimes, a bit of condensed milk is also added. This version, known locally as Pazham Salad, is rich, slightly sweet and served cold, often as part of a traditional meal.
Street-Style Spicy Fruit Mix
Head to any bustling Indian market and you’ll see vendors slicing up pineapples, cucumbers, watermelons, and raw mangoes—doused in chili powder, black salt, and lime juice. This street-style fruit mix is more snack than salad, but it’s wildly popular. It’s tangy, spicy, juicy and totally addictive—especially in places like Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Chennai.
Yoghurt & Granola Fruit Bowls (Modern Cafe Style)
Thanks to health-conscious trends, cafes across cities are now are now serving fruit bowls with Greek yogurt, granola, honey and fresh fruit. . These colourful bowls are perfect for breakfast or a post-workout snack. They may be new-age, but they celebrate the same love for fresh fruit—just in a more Instagrammable way.
No Time to Chop? Order Fresh Fruit Salads online
Whether you’re craving a bowl of classic fruit chaat, a creamy custard, or a healthy yoghurt fruit bowl, Zomato makes it easy to enjoy fresh fruit salads without the prep.
Just open the app, search for fruit salad or fruit chaat, and explore a variety of options from cafes, health-focused kitchens or your favorite juice and salad bars. Perfect for a quick office lunch, a post-yoga snack or just when you’re trying to eat cleaner.
Fresh, flavorful and delivered to your door—that’s fruit salad, the easy way.