Origins of Puneri Food
Pune has a mixed street food culture. The origins can be traced from traditional Maharashtrian, Gujarati and even North Karnataka cuisine. With a dash of Goda masala, raw onions, coriander, lemons, Sev and Farzan, Puneri food is simply delectable. When in Pune, be sure to not miss out on delicacies like Misal Pav, Pithla Bhakri, Bhakarwadi, Mastani, Dabeli, Pav Bhaji, Poha, Vada Pav and baked goodies from the old school bakeries.1. Keema Pav at Goodluck Cafe
You won’t know what a real Keema Pav tastes like unless you have had it here. The place opens as early as 7:30 a.m. in the morning and is rushed throughout the day. Since generations, people of Pune are taking time out from their busy schedule to visit this place. The food served is hygienic and a definite win-win for the pocket. The place is situated in the vicinity of the Film Institute and hence has been the favourite of many stars like Dev Anand.Where: 759/75, Goodluck Chowk, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune
Must-Try: Keema Pav, Irani Chai, Biryani
Timings: 7:30am - 11:30pm
Cost for two: INR 500
2. Chicken Jumbo Burger at Burger - East Street
Earlier the place was called Burger King. No, not the fast-food joint serving American delicacies. It is a small local shop, just as famous and loved as the international giant chain, if not more! The ambience is green and casual but the food is legendary. You will probably have to wait in a long queue before even getting a place to sit. Yes, the place is much crowded! The simple, casual, easy on pockets place is on the favourites list of all the Pune folks.Where: Phul Gate, Opposite Talwarkars, Off East Street, Camp, East Street, Pune
Must-Try: Chicken Jumbo Burger, Chicken Steak, Spicy Sea Burger
Timings: 11:30am - 10:30pm
Cost for two: INR 200
3. Sitafal Mastani at Sujata Mastani
You might like to consider skipping your meal if you’re heading to have a mastani here. Wondering what a mastani is? It is some delicious combination of milk and ice-cream with a sumptuous amount of other mouth-watering garnishes. The Pune special mastani comes loaded with dry fruits and Kesar. You can try the variety of flavours which include nuts, cherry, whipped cream, chocolate, Kesar and more. One glass of this inviting drink will make you feel so full that you won’t be eating anything anytime soon! The place established some 50 years ago has outgrown itself over so many years.Where: Multiple outlets around the city
Must-Try: Mango Ice Cream, Sitafal Mastani
Timings: 11am - 11:30pm
Cost for two: INR 200
4. Mawa Cake at Kayani Bakery
Everybody wants to take a souvenir of the place they visit. And what can be better than something delicious to take while going back home? The bakery is so loved by people that you won’t ever find this place non-crowded! Their freshly made cakes are a die for. The tiny shop opens around 3 or 4 in the evening and is rushed with people till the shutter goes down. Ask the locals and they’ll tell you the craze of this place in Pune. A paradise for those with a sweet tooth.Where: 6, Dr Coyaji Road, Hulshur, Camp, East Street, Pune
Must-Try: Mawa Cake, Shrewsberry Biscuit, Plum Cake
Timings: 7:30am - 1pm, 3:30pm - 8pm
Cost for two: INR 200
5. Jumbo Vada Pav at Garden Vada Pav Centre
The best vada pav that you can ever eat is of this place. I have had vada pavs in Bombay and then here and it’s a no match. Garden Vada Pav Centre wins hands down. They serve delicious and fresh varieties of the dish like cheese vada pav, masala vada pav, and the classic Mumbai vada pav.Where: Multiple outlets around the city
Must-Try: Crispy Vada Pav, Jumbo Vada Pavs, Masala Chaach
Timings: 9 am - 9 pm
Cost for two: INR 100
6. Chutney Sandwich at Marz-O-Rin
Ask every local guy and he’ll tell you his story of Marz-O-Rin. The place is a household name in the city of Pune. Serving delicious Coffe, Macaroni, and Cheese, and Chicken Sandwich, the place has been the host to generations of school and college students. It is located on the main street of MG road and hence is extremely easy to find. The place is calm, with pretty interiors speaking of the old glorious time of the city. The quantity is huge and the price is cheap.Where: 6, Bakhtiar Plaza, Camp, MG Road, Pune & Shop 12, Nancy Towers, Wanowrie, Pune
Must-Try: Chutney Sandwich, Chicken Sandwich, Apple Juice
Timings: 9 am - 10 pm
Cost for two: INR 250
7. Mysore Masala Dosa at Vaishali
You can recognize this place with a huge crowd outside it, somewhere on FC road. You see an overcrowded place on the road and you know that this is it. Vaishali- the famous SPDP centre! The Sev Puri Dahi Puri, lovingly named as SPDP by the people coming in here is widely known throughout the city. Everything that they serve here, from the morning Pav Bhajis to the toothsome Sabudana Vadas with the extraordinary coconut chutney is top-class. The dosas glistening with butter and aroma so rich that you won’t be able to control drooling.Where: 1218/1, FC Road, Pune
Must-Try: Mysore Masala Dosa, Bhel Puri, Tea
Timings: 7 am - 11 pm
Cost for two: INR 300
8. Chicken Biriyani at Tiranga Bhuvan Kothrud
Tiranga is a tiny outlet with just a couple of table and chairs for seating. But what makes up for a mediocre ambience is the amazing and delicious food prepared. Tiranga is not just any eating place but a legacy passed on through generations. Their menu consists of a variety of Biryani dishes, each with its own authentic taste, rich aroma and drool-worthy taste. On weekends you can identify the place with the largest crowd outside in Kothrud. Needless to say, a booking would be advisable.Where: Pitambar Heights, Paud Phata Road, Beside Paud Phata Fly Over, Kothrud, Pune
Must-Try: Gavran Chicken Handi, Chicken Biriyani
Timings: 11:30am - 3:30pm, 7pm - 11pm
Cost for two: INR 700
9. Maharashtrian Thali at Shabree
If your appetite is craving for a nice spicy menu of Maharashtrian delicacy, then let me tell you that Shabree has the best food in Pune. Being such a famous place to eat out, it is quite easy to locate Shabree on the map. Situated on the FC road, the restaurant serves authentic Maharashtrian food. The unlimited thali consists of a variety of yummy food items like Puran Poli, Masala Bhat, Aaluchi Bhaji, Kadi gole, Zunka, Dahi etc.
Where: Parichay Hotel, 1199/1A, FC Road, Pune
Must-Try: Maharashtrian Thali
Timings: 11:30am - 3:30pm, 7:30pm - 11:30pm
Cost for two: INR 700
10. Cheese Omellete at Vohuman Cafe
The long-established Iranian cafe transforms anyone into a morning person. Reach Vohuman Cafe on Sassoon Road and find yourself a place in this all-time crowded eatery. Vohuman is a favourite for breakfasts in Pune. The fried eggs are delicious and so is the special egg bhurji with just the right amount of spices mixed. The cheese omelettes are something you cannot find anywhere else. It is hands down, the best that there can be. Even the simple chai is nothing less than special here. Vohuman Cafe has a name to live up to and it has been doing that since years now. A must-have on every foodie’s bucket list.Where: Shop No 13, Millennium Star, Near Ruby Hall, Dhole Patil Road, Pune
Must-Try: Bun Maskas, Tea, Cheese Omellete
Timings: 6am - 7pm
Cost for two: INR 200
11. Filter Coffee at Coffee House
Coffee House has been serving the Punekars since years close to the Moledina Road. The menu is extensive from Pav Bhajis to Dosas, Idlis, and Uttapams. From Indian to Chinese to Mexican, you can find your favourite dish from multiple cuisines right at this place. The eatery, though crowded, wins people’s heart by serving the orders quick. Coffee House is the perfect stop for a sip of the die for coffee and delicious munchies.Where: 2A, Near Dorabjees, Moledina Road, Camp Area, Pune
Must-Try: Filter Coffee, Mysore Masala Dosa
Timings: 8 am - 11 pm
Cost for two: INR 500
12. Delhi Chaat at Jaishankar Pani Puriwala
So you think you have tried the best Pani Puri in the country? Being a fan of this mouth-watering dish and having tried many, and I mean it when I say many stalls, I can tell you that you have to have the delicious, spicy and tangy Pani puri from Jaishankar Pani Puriwala. Serving a choice of fillings and different varieties of pani like pudina, sweet, Dahi, Jal jeera and their own special Jai Shankar Pani masala, Om Jai Shankar will make you come here again and again. You can’t say “no” after having one of these inviting Pani puris. Where: Shop 1708, Janmohammad Street, Babajan Chowk, Camp Area, Pune
Must-Try: Pani Puri, Delhi Chaat
Timings: 1pm - 10pm
Cost for two: INR 100
13. Cheesecake at German Bakery
Situated in the Koregaon Park area of the city, German Bakery has established its place amidst huge lavish bungalows and velvety green trees. Easy to spot, people of Pune visit this place with their gang of friends to have a cherished time. It is pretty casual to find someone sitting with a book in hand and enjoying their delectable muffins. You can sit here for hours chatting and having a quality time with nobody to bother you. Where: Multiple Outlets in Pune
Must-Try: Cheesecake, Coffee
Timings: 8 am - 12 midnight
Cost for two: INR 1000
14. Aloo Parantha at Chaitanya Paranthas
Even the hardcore Punjabis come to a stop when they visit Chaitanyas near the Ferguson College Road. Established years ago and rising to fame for its delicious aloo paratha, Chaitanya has redecorated their menu to add varieties of assorted parathas. But the aloo paratha is still crowd’s favourite till this day. The authentic taste richly smeared butter and huge filling of mashed potato have made its way to everyone’s heart from college students to IT professionals.Where: Multiple Outlets in Pune
Must-Try: Aloo Parantha, Patiala Lassi
Timings: 12:30pm - 11pm
Cost for two: INR 250
15. Puneri Misal Pav at Bedekar Misal
Misal served with soft buns are a must-try if you want to enjoy the original Misal Pav of Maharashtra. And there is no better place than Bedekar Tea Stall to try this amazing dish. Misal is made using a semi curried lentils and is garnished with crunchy fries. The small outlet is the single most branch in all over Maharashtra, serves the best Misal Pav and is crowded from morning to night. People from colleges, schools and big IT joints stop by to take time out from their busy schedule and try these mouth-watering Puneri Misals. Misal Pav is anyway the best food in Pune!Where: Munjabacha Bol, Near Patrya Maruti Temple, Narayan Peth, Sadashiv Peth, PuneAmidst the hustles and bustles of Pune lies a whole different world of pav bhajis, Sev batata puris, keema pavs, muffins and juicy burgers. Head over to the special stalls and markets serving these delicious savouries. After all, the destination shouldn’t just be about the journey. It can be a little tastier too!
Must-Try: Puneri Misal Pav, Kanda Bhaji
Timings: 8 am - 7 pm
Cost for two: INR 100