India dining prefs—veg or omnivore

I personally would stick with the veg option. Refrigeration can be a problem with power cuts. You won't be disappointed & the food is wonderful!

I'm here mainly to suggest that you state when you are going to India, so that no one spends time composing a thoughtful response when it's too late to be of any use to you.

Still, as long as I'm here, I'll agree with Flo above. I don't know how much a civilization that's 3500 years old will change in 15, but my one India trip was in 2011, and it was a relatively short one, including only Delhi, Jaipur and Pushkar -- so obviously I'm neither current, nor expert. But on that trip I did find that India does remarkably good things with vegetarian meals, and even non-vegetarian restaurants sometimes offered great vegetarian menus. One of the things I liked about India, was the impression I got that even if vegetarianism is not universal, it is understood and respected -- in India, unlike in certain other countries, I could ask for vegetarian options in more general restaurants without getting funny looks, or having to hide my face in shame!

I was in India for several weeks last year. I ate everything. I don't know why vegetarian options would give you a truer taste.

If you choose the vegetarian, does that mean all your meals will be strictly vegetarian? The hotels I stayed at throughout India had breakfast buffets, so you'll always find vegetarian options on the buffet as well as plenty of non-veg items. So if you really want to go vegetarian, that would still give you the chance to try some meat dishes.

But if you like to eat meat, I don't see any reason not to in India. Just be aware that there's absolutely no beef. It'll be pork, chicken, and lamb. And the food was awesome!

Who's asking you your dietary preferences? Presumably you can just eat where you want, unless you're on a tour (you say group trip, but is it formally organised?). If you eat meat, go for meat - there is so much good food you'll be spoiled for choice. If you specify vegetarian you may end up locking yourself in (typically it means no meat, onions or garlic).

I'm assuming by "golden triangle" you mean Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, but perhaps you can clarify.

It's a great trip - have fun!

We did the Golden Triangle with Gate 1 Travel and tried vegetarian food, it was good, but we still preferred some meat. I will say that the only meat we ever were offered was chicken.
The chicken was better than the veggie.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this. I don’t know why they asked about meal preferences, perhaps just to suss out allergies, vegan, etc. I’ll stay with no prefs rather than vegetarian, and expect it will increase my food choices when I’m there. I often eat vegetarian which is why the question arose for me.

Any tour is going to stay at reliable lodgings, so I wouldn't change your omnivores plans. They eat meat and cook it well. It is often common to have group meals that are indicative to a locati9n. I was on 2 different types of tours in India in 2022 and enjoyed both meat and vegetarian options. As I am gluten free, I also had ample options for my dietary needs as well.
The one thing I will remind you, however, is the problems with any buffet regardless of country. Wash your hands either with soap and water, or hand sanitizer, after using those communal buffet serving spoons. It may not be staff, but another guest who hasn't properly washed hands. Or use a napkin when using g the spoon. This is particularly important when you use your hands to eat, even if it is just your bread.

Thanks so much for this advice.

When we travelled to Northern India, we were asked at each place we ate whether we wanted "veg or non-veg". Most times we were served Thali which is a dish with many compartments where they put rice and various small portions of dishes that were both vegetarian or meat in sauces. For veg only they would omit the meat option and substitute extra non-meat. The chicken tasted different as they are skinnier than the chickens we get here and in the States. I didn't come across lamb, I think they eat an older sheep or goat. The dishes we had were usually "mutton" which is goat in India. It's actually delicious. I would have declined pork if offered which is unlikely anyway in Northern India. It is not usually served due to cultural issues. Hindus don't eat it and there are many Muslims in Northern India.

Vegetarian option is always the best to experience the true taste of India but then do ensure avoiding the tourist traps and eateries which the guide recommends you. Prepare the food list in mind and then try talking with a few locals, preferably ladies who will be more genuine with their recommendations.