If you thought Kolhapur was only about the great Maratha warrior, Shivaji and home to the great Maratha kingdom, you thought wrong. Because this rich historical land is also bursting with spices and great delicacies, that will not only set your tongue on fire but will also introduce you to a plethora of interesting flavours. In short, Kolhapur is a foodies paradise.?
The aroma of the spices will send your taste buds in a flurry and the local Kolhapuri flavors ?will be a treat to your jaded palette. From the soupy spicy broth of the missal pav to the simmering pungent flavours of the pandhara and tambda rassa, Kolhapuri food is a miscellany of mouthwatering flavours.?
We have rounded up a few eateries in Pune that will have you sweating, salivating and eating out of your hand.?
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When you think of Kolhapuri food, pure pur Kolhapur is one name that instantly strikes you. Many outlets of this brand abound in Pune and you are sure to find atleast one in your area. Though a small restaurant with minimal ambience, their motto strictly is serving great Kolhapuri food. This place has some lip smacking, spicy thalis which comprises one special chicken/mutton preparation; kheema/egg curry; chapati/bhakri; rice; with generous amounts of onion and curd to the accompaniment of pandhra & tambda rassa. Missal pav makes a great snack that can be had at any time of the day. All in all the elaborate menu here is sure to entice you with its typical kolhapuri flavours. ?
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One thing that is easily noticeable the minute you enter the place is that the staff is hospitable. Not only are their suggestions spot on but also the flavours. This place is actually a haven for meat lovers. From their chicken fry thali to their kaala mutton thali, each one of these dishes is sure to leave you craving for more.
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Ever heard of Dum Missal? If you haven¡¯t, head straight to Shree Vadoba. Divyanshu Mishra, a prominent food blogger from Pune says, ¡°This place serves on of the best Kolhapuri misal in Pune. "Dum Missal" is what you shouldn't miss here at all. Its served in a ?small bowl containing hot charcoal and ghee. Misal mixture is later engulfed in the coal and is like an amazing treat - that one just cant express in words! ¡±
Our verdict- The concept is really unique. You get the smoky flavour in your misal and also the taste is good. Highly recommended.?
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A feast for kolhapuri style food lovers, this hotel stands true to its name and delivers some really good and spicy non-veg food. The chicken masala thali and the ¡®bharlelala baingan¡¯ with curd rice is what you should warm up to the next time you are here.
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This restaurant is located in the heart of Pune and is a treat for ?those craving Kolhapuri food. Karan Kaul a food blogger who is a huge admirer of Kolhapuri food here says, ¡°the mutton loncha is one of their signature dishes. ?The sharp flavors of vinegar and ginger garlic open up your palette and although the dish isn't overly spicy, you can feel every hit of spice. What's even better, is that the loncha tastes equally amazing with bhakri chapati or even rice.What sets the mutton loncha at sugran apart from the others is how close it is to the real kolhapuri version. Needless to say, it is a delight to your wallet as well¡±. So the next you are confused as to whether you should head to partake in Kolhapuri cuisine, head to Sugran. ?
Facebook/Uday Potdar
This small restaurant on FC road, opposite to Dyaneshwar Paduka Chowk, is a ?great place for pithla bhakri lovers. They also have other specials like the Chicken Special Thali ?that consists of chiken rassa and sukha with bhakri to the accompaniment of Sol Kadhi. The Solkadhi is freshly prepared inhouse for the guests and is a little Spicy, which lends it its characteristic taste.?
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Gavkari means from the village and as the name suggests, the food here will bring you the Kolhapuri cuisine that is savoured in West Maharashtra. Though the ambience is average, the food more than makes up for it. Their ?special gaavkari chicken that comprises chicken sukha, egg curry, chicken kheema , chicken biryani and a choice of bhakhri or chapatti, is sure to satiate your love for Kolhapuri food. Tambda (red) rassa and pandhra (white) rassa is served as accompaniment. For those who do not like very spicy food, this is the ?place to be as the food is spicy enough but not too spicy and has a good mix of masalas.?
Facebook/Uday Potdar
The minute you enter the place you are made known that you have entered the mecca of kolhapuri food. The waiters are more than courteous and look forward to welcoming you. Some gems on the menu are the mutton soup that is a flavoursome mutton broth, the mutton fry that is so tender that it falls off the bone. Another must try is the pulav- its light and is a perfect accompaniment to the tambada rassa. Just a trivia- if you were to mention to the staff that you are visiting this restaurant for the first time, you are in for a great hospitality.
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Pure veg and Kolhapuri food is difficult to fathom but this place does just that. The food is not too heavy on spice but finds the cut between tasty and spicy. While they serve a fixed menu for lunch and dinner, ?Akkha masur is the flagship dish here. This is best eaten with khushka rice which is rarely available at other places. Not too heavy on the pocket, this place is a must visit.
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Though the name is likely to transport you the Maharashtrian hinterlands, let me begin with saying that this place is a fine dine kolhapuri restaurant. This place serves great Mutton chops which are juicy and prepared in onion, green chili, coconut and coriander based gravy. Definitely worth a visit.?
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This name is on most people's lips when it comes to biting into ?lipsmacking masaledar mutton or chicken. This is one of the oldest eateries in Pune serving kolhapuri food. This place is almost like a hole in the wall- difficult to spot- blink and you'll miss it! For the uninitiated, the mutton curry packs a punch with its spices as does the egg curry. Its only worth mentioning that the place has other specialities on the menu like aalani mutton, kaleji thali, kharda chicken thali etc.