Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026. If you're hosting family and friends, the easiest way to feed a crowd is a mix of sharing trays: a few snacks, something tangy, something filling and plenty of sweets.

Ananda Kitchen in Langley Park makes vegetarian sharing trays and Indian desserts like gulab jamun and ras malai. Because Diwali weekend is busy, we recommend ordering ahead: call us at (410) 381-0011.

What food is served at a Diwali party?

There's no single Diwali menu. Families celebrate with dishes from their own region and traditions. But most Diwali spreads have a few things in common: fried snacks, something festive and filling, and lots of mithai (sweets). Food is shared, tables are full, and guests come and go all evening.

How do I plan a Diwali spread?

We like to think in four parts:

  1. Snacks for when guests arrive: mini samosas, paneer pakora, aloo pakora or medhu vada. These hold up well and are easy to eat standing up.
  2. Something tangy and fresh: sev puri, dahi bhalla, chaat papdi or a pani puri tray. Chaat makes a party feel festive.
  3. A filling main: chole or aloo bhaji with puri or bhature, dal makhani with rice, or paneer tikka with naan or paratha.
  4. Sweets: gulab jamun and ras malai.

Sharing trays that work well for Diwali

  • Mini samosas (30 pcs) or large samosas (20 pcs): a crowd favorite. Add a side of date & tamarind or mint chutney for dipping.
  • Paneer pakora (50 pcs) or aloo pakora (50 pcs): crispy and easy to pass around.
  • Pani puri (50 pcs) or sev puri (50 pcs): fun for guests to put together. Chaat is best eaten soon after pickup. Read how to eat pani puri if you have first-timers coming.
  • Chhole (48oz) with puri or bhature (10 pcs): a classic festive pairing.
  • Aloo bhaji (48oz) with puri: mild, comforting and great for kids.
  • Dal makhani (48oz) and rice (48oz): a dependable main for larger groups.
  • Idli (20 pcs) and sambar (48oz): a South Indian touch for the table.

For portion guidance, see our guide to Indian catering trays.

Diwali desserts: gulab jamun and ras malai

No Diwali table is complete without sweets.

  • Shahi gulab jamun: soft, round milk-based dumplings soaked in fragrant sugar syrup. Rich, warm and very festive.
  • Ras malai: soft cheese dumplings in sweetened, chilled milk. Lighter and creamy, a nice contrast to fried snacks.

Both are available by the piece, so you can order enough for everyone. Tell us your headcount when you call and we'll help you figure out quantities.

Tip: order Diwali trays a few days early and pick a pickup time. Fried snacks and breads are best picked up close to when guests arrive; desserts can be picked up a little earlier.

Is the food suitable for a Diwali puja?

Everything at Ananda Kitchen is vegetarian and cooked in a separate, dedicated vegetarian kitchen. If your family follows specific dietary practices, see our Swaminarayan-friendly menu and tell us when you order so we can guide you. If any guests eat vegan, mention that too.

How do I order Diwali food ahead?

For party-size orders, call (410) 381-0011 with your date, headcount and pickup time. You can also browse trays on our catering page and order online for pickup. The earlier you order for Diwali weekend, the easier it is for us to have everything ready on time.

Where to pick up Diwali food in Langley Park

Ananda Kitchen is inside BITES Food Court + Bar at 8046 New Hampshire Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20783, in the Langley Park Shopping Center near New Hampshire Ave and University Blvd. Parking is free, which makes picking up big orders easy.

We're open daily 11am to 9pm, and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Happy Diwali from all of us at Ananda Kitchen.