Bhilai City Guide

Local cuisine focuses on Chhattisgarhi dishes. Limited international options are expanding, featuring North Indian and Chinese cuisine.

Nightlife is minimal with few restaurants and no major clubs or bars.

A developing scene with cafés serving Indian tea and coffee. Specialty coffee options are few.

Tipping is appreciated but not expected. Typically 5-10% in restaurants if no service charge.

Buy a SIM card from Jio, Airtel, or Vodafone Idea outlets with necessary ID and photos.

Cleanliness is moderate, with planned areas maintained better.

Limited 24/7 services outside of hospitals. Most stores and facilities operate during regular hours.

Find international goods in large supermarkets, though selection might be limited. Local vendors and mandis are great for fresh produce.

Card payments are common in large stores and restaurants, but cash is essential for small vendors, markets, and buses. UPI is widely accepted for mobile payments.

ATMs are easy to find, with branches from SBI, HDFC, ICICI, and Axis Bank. Expect fees for transactions beyond free limits, usually INR 20-25.

Schools like DPS and St. Xavier's offer quality education with English as the medium.

Very small digital nomad presence. Networking typically requires personal initiative.

Good access to parks like Maitri Bagh for outdoor activities.

Routes around Maitri Bagh and Bhilai Steel Plant township are conducive to running.

Several gyms available. Options for memberships or drop-ins.

Available at some sports complexes and clubs.

Padel is not a common sport here.

Many centers offer yoga classes. Look for studios with English-speaking instructors.

Training available for Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo. Boxing or self-defense classes can also be found.

No skiing. Bhilai is in a tropical region.

Limited water sports at Shivnath River Front. Activities include jet skiing and kayaking.

No surfing opportunities as Bhilai is inland.

No diving, as there are no nearby bodies of water suitable for it.

Private hospitals like Apollo offer better services with English-speaking staff. Public healthcare varies in quality.

Travelers should stick to bottled water. Tap water is not recommended for drinking without treatment.

Several parks and playgrounds are available. Attractions like Maitri Bagh are kid-friendly.

LGBTQ+ acceptance is limited; safe spaces and events are sparse.

Pet accommodations and services are available but limited. Public parks may allow leashed pets.