DAY ONE

Punjabi Dhaba in Inman Square (225 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, 617-547-8272, royalbharatinc.com) is usually crowded at lunch and dinner for good reason: The Punjabi-language music and use of the steel plates called thaalis — not to mention the food — scream authentic. Order one of the “Dhaba specials” (Chole Bhature, a chickpea curry with fried bread, is a favorite) for a true Indian-style meal.