Find Diwali sweets at these 5 Indian restaurants, markets in Phoenix

Sweeten your Diwali celebrations or try the flavors of the holiday at these five spots.

October 29, 2024

Image: At New India Bazaar, jalebis are made fresh for Diwali.

At New India Bazaar, jalebis are made fresh for Diwali. Allison Young

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Widely known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali will be celebrated all across the world and locally on Thursday. Diwali is part of a five-day festival which is the most important holiday in India. Celebrations include gathering with family, watching fireworks displays and exchanging sweets. Here are five spots where you can find Diwali treats around metro Phoenix.

India's Flame

4427 S. Rural Road, #3 and #4, Tempe After enjoying a nice lunch buffet or dinner for your Diwali meal, India's Flame wants you to have options when it comes to dessert. This year, the restaurant is offering gulab jamun, carrot gajar ka halwa, ras malai and kheer. All are between $6 and $7 so, with these prices, you can order several and pick your favorite.

The owner of New Indian Bazaar makes his Diwali sweets from scratch.

Allison Young

New India Bazaar & Cuisine

2544 N. Seventh St.Jalebi, fried swirls of dough dipped in sugar, are a popular sweet for the holiday and at New India Bazaar & Cuisine, customers can see them made fresh outside the market from Oct. 30 through Nov 1. The owner makes regular and flavored jalebi and the treats are sold by the pound. The market also sells a wide variety of fudgy sweets spread out on a table inside. Grab a box and a pair of tongs and pick your own selection. On the way out, if you want your Diwali night to have a special touch you can also buy fireworks to cap off your evening.

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Tikka Shack has options for individual portions and catering this Diwali.

Rudri Bhatt Patel

Tikka Shack

Multiple Locations Tikka Shack has you covered for Diwali. You can create your own curry bowl or purchase an entree and finish with dessert. Gulab jamun and ras malai can be purchased individually, or if you're hosting a gathering this Diwali, place a catering order. The traditional Indian sweets are available alongside brownies and cookies.

Apna Bazaar Indian Groceries

3607 E. Bell Road A Diwali sale is happening at Apna Bazaar Indian Groceries to commemorate the holiday. If you choose to make homemade treats, ghee or clarified butter often used in Indian sweets, is on sale for $8.99 Those who rather spend the holiday enjoying Diwali sweets instead of making them can buy many flavors of kulfi on a buy one, get one free deal. Many other ingredients and sweets are on sale and Apna Bazaar also sells traditional Indian clothing, fireworks and holiday decorations.

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The Dhaba is the perfect spot for those who want to taste a little of everything. If you can't choose just one dish, order one of the sweet or savory Thalis.

Tirion Boan

The Dhaba

1872 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe At Tempe restaurant The Dhaba, customers can order individual portions of kheer, ras malai, kulfi and gulab jamun for $5 to $6 each. Or, if you're not sure which to choose, order the Mithi Thali. This $10 platter comes with a selection of different treats sure to satisfy every sweet tooth. The treats can be enjoyed at the restaurant or ordered for takeout.

Rudri Patel is a lawyer turned writer and editor. She is the co-editor of the online literary journal The Sunlight Press and on staff at Literary Mama.

A message from Food & Drink Editor Tirion Boan: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Phoenix's evolving dining scene and the chefs and restaurants that serve our community.

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Tirion Boan is the Food Editor of Phoenix New Times where she’s worked since May 2022. Tirion keeps a close eye on restaurant openings and closings, offers dining recommendations and reports on metro Phoenix food news and trends. She also publishes major annual lists like Top 100 Bars and Top 100 Restaurants, and contributes to the Best of Phoenix project. Tirion previously worked for publications including The Arizona Republic and The Tucson Weekly. She holds a bachelor’s of arts in journalism from the University of Arizona.