What to Eat in Pune Today?

Misal pav for breakfast

Misal is a curry of sprouted moth beans in a spicy, oily gravy, topped with crunchy farsan, chopped onion and a squeeze of lemon. It comes with soft pav and usually a bowl of extra gravy, called kat or tarri. Pune's misal houses in Narayan Peth and nearby have been serving it for decades, and people queue on weekend mornings. Ask for less spice if you are not used to chilli.

Bhakarwadi to take home

Bhakarwadi are small spiral rolls of gram-flour pastry with a filling of coconut, sesame and spices. They are crisp, a little sweet, a little sour and a little hot. Chitale Bandhu on Bajirao Road made them famous far beyond Pune, and a packet or two is the city's standard gift to take back.

Mastani on a warm afternoon

A mastani is a thick milkshake topped with a scoop of ice cream, dry fruits and sometimes fresh fruit. It is named after Mastani, the consort of Peshwa Bajirao I. Mango is the favourite in season, and dry-fruit versions are available all year. Sujata Mastani in Sadashiv Peth is the best-known name.

Vada pav and sabudana khichdi

Vada pav, a spiced potato fritter in a bun with chutney, is the cheapest filling snack in the state. Sabudana khichdi, sago pearls tossed with peanuts, potato and green chilli, is a light breakfast and a common fasting dish. Many Maharashtrians eat it on vrat days such as Ekadashi.

Up on Sinhagad

The stalls at the top of Sinhagad serve pithla-bhakri, a gram-flour curry with a millet flatbread, along with kanda bhaji and clay pots of curd. After the climb, it is the meal most visitors come for.

See where to eat in Pune for the kitchens known for each dish.