The local cuisine is one of the oldest cuisines as it has been mentioned in old documents dating back to 1500 AD. Irrespective of the districts having their own popular dishes, there are some dishes which are common to all. Rice is popular and apart of the regular diet consumed by the locals. Both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian side dishes can be found in Chikmagalur. Rice pudding is a desert that is particularly liked by the peopleof this region.