Cuisine & Must Try Dishes

Maharashtrian Cuisine

Maharashtrian cuisine is a delicious blend of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors, influenced by the state’s coastal, rural, and urban food culture. From street food favorites like Vada Pav to rich Kolhapuri curries, and Malvani seafood to Puran Poli, Maharashtra offers a diverse food experience for every foodie!

Here’s a list of the most famous Maharashtrian dishes that every traveler must try!

 1. Vada Pav – The Iconic Mumbai Street Food

 Best Place to Try: Mumbai, Pune
 Best For: Quick Snack, Budget-Friendly Eats

✅ Why Try It?
✔️ Known as Mumbai’s "Desi Burger", this deep-fried potato dumpling inside a bun is a local favorite.
✔️ Served with spicy chutney, fried chilies, and garlic powder.
✔️ A must-try for street food lovers!

 Best Places to Try Vada Pav:
✔️ Anand Vada Pav (Opp. Mithibai College, Mumbai) – Most famous in Mumbai.
✔️ Aaram Vada Pav (Near CST Station, Mumbai).

 Price: ₹15 – ₹40

 2. Misal Pav – The Spiciest Maharashtrian Curry

 Best Place to Try: Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur
 Best For: Spicy Food Lovers

✅ Why Try It?
✔️ A fiery, spicy curry made with sprouted lentils, topped with crispy farsan & onions.
✔️ Served with soft pav (bread rolls) & a side of lemon.
✔️ Different versions across Maharashtra: Kolhapuri Misal (very spicy), Puneri Misal (mild & sweet), Nashik Misal (medium spice).

 Best Places to Try Misal Pav:
✔️ Bedekar Misal (Pune) – Most famous for Puneri-style Misal.
✔️ Hotel Shree Datta (Kolhapur) – Best for Kolhapuri spicy Misal.

 Price: ₹50 – ₹100

 3. Puran Poli – Maharashtra’s Traditional Sweet Dish

 Best Place to Try: Pune, Nashik, Mumbai
 Best For: Sweet Lovers, Festival Specialties

✅ Why Try It?
✔️ A soft, sweet flatbread stuffed with jaggery & lentils.
✔️ Made during festivals like Gudi Padwa & Diwali.
✔️ Best served with ghee or milk.

 Best Places to Try Puran Poli:
✔️ Shabree Restaurant (Pune) – Famous for Maharashtrian thali.
✔️ Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale (Pune & Mumbai) – Authentic Puran Poli.

 Price: ₹50 – ₹120 per serving.

 4. Kolhapuri Chicken / Tambda Rassa – Maharashtra’s Spiciest Curry

 Best Place to Try: Kolhapur, Pune, Mumbai
 Best For: Non-Vegetarians, Spicy Food Lovers

✅ Why Try It?
✔️ A fiery, spicy chicken or mutton curry from Kolhapur.
✔️ Comes in two versions:
✔️ Tambda Rassa (Red Curry) – Extremely spicy.
✔️ Pandhra Rassa (White Curry) – Mild, creamy coconut-based curry.
✔️ Served with Bhakri (jowar/ bajra roti) & rice.

 Best Places to Try Kolhapuri Chicken:
✔️ Opal Restaurant (Kolhapur) – Best for authentic Kolhapuri thali.
✔️ Hotel Purepur Kolhapur (Pune).

 Price: ₹150 – ₹300

 5. Malvani Fish Curry – The Best Coastal Seafood Dish

 Best Place to Try: Malvan, Konkan Coast, Mumbai
 Best For: Seafood Lovers

✅ Why Try It?
✔️ A flavorful fish curry made with coconut, tamarind & Malvani masala.
✔️ Popular fish choices: Pomfret, Surmai (Kingfish), and Bombil (Bombay Duck).
✔️ Best enjoyed with steamed rice or Bhakri.

 Best Places to Try Malvani Fish Curry:
✔️ Chaitanya Restaurant (Malvan & Mumbai).
✔️ Gajalee (Mumbai & Pune) – Best for seafood lovers.

 Price: ₹250 – ₹500

 6. Modak – Lord Ganesha’s Favorite Sweet

 Best Place to Try: Mumbai, Pune, Nashik
 Best For: Festive Delights, Sweet Lovers

✅ Why Try It?
✔️ A traditional Maharashtrian sweet dumpling made with coconut & jaggery filling.
✔️ Steamed version (Ukadiche Modak) is the most authentic.
✔️ A must-try during Ganesh Chaturthi.

 Best Places to Try Modak:
✔️ Aaswad (Dadar, Mumbai) – Best for Ukadiche Modak.
✔️ Panshikar Sweets (Mumbai).

 Price: ₹50 – ₹100 per piece.

 7. Zunka Bhakri – Maharashtra’s Farmer’s Meal

 Best Place to Try: Rural Maharashtra, Pune, Mumbai
 Best For: Traditional Maharashtrian Thali Lovers

✅ Why Try It?
✔️ Zunka is a spicy chickpea flour curry, served with Bhakri (Jowar/Bajra flatbread).
✔️ A staple dish of farmers in Maharashtra.
✔️ Best enjoyed with Thecha (spicy chutney) & onions.

 Best Places to Try Zunka Bhakri:
✔️ Shree Krushna Bhavan (Pune).
✔️ Maharashtra Bhavan (Mumbai).

 Price: ₹100 – ₹200

 8. Sol Kadhi – Maharashtra’s Refreshing Coastal Drink

 Best Place to Try: Konkan Coast, Malvan, Mumbai
 Best For: Refreshing Summer Drink

✅ Why Try It?
✔️ A tangy coconut & kokum-based drink, perfect for digestion.
✔️ Served chilled as a side drink with seafood.
✔️ Best enjoyed in coastal Maharashtra.

 Best Places to Try Sol Kadhi:
✔️ Malvani Aswad (Mumbai & Pune).
✔️ Konkani restaurants in Alibaug & Tarkarli.

 Price: ₹50 – ₹100 per glass.