On Maharashtra Day, celebrities recall their much-loved Maharashtrian dishes and restaurant reccos from across the city, plus an essential eating guide of our all-time favourites
Kolhapuri mutton thaali by The Maratha Kitchen. Pic courtesy/The Maratha Kitchen on Instagram
Mom’s magic
Akash Deshpande, chef, Luv Restaurant
One of my favourite Maharashtrian meals is made from aloo (or Aroo) leaves, particularly the stems. Growing up, my mom had this genius way of turning humble ingredients into something memorable. She would boil the aloo stems, coat them in Malvani masala, and shallow-fry them till crisp just like bombil fry. A plate of crisp fry and varan bhaat with a light kokum saarwas pure nostalgia. It reminds me how Maharashtrian food can be incredibly smart and deeply comforting at once. In the city though, I like going to Konkan Swad for their bombil fry thaali and sol kadhi which are absolute favourites.
Konkan Swad
At Mahatma Gandhi Road, Motilal Nagar III, Goregaon West.
Call 9867890933
Joys of comfort food
Dhruv Ghanekar, music composer and producer
I have always loved a simple plate of varan bhaat. It is the quintessential Maharashtrian meal that I can never get tired of, despite having it every day. Fluffy rice paired with simple, no-masala preparation of dal topped with dollops of homemade toop or ghee, and a slice of lime takes me back to my childhood days where I would look forward to having a steaming plate of varan bhaat cooked by my mother. It might seem like the simplest thing to make but needs attention and care. Whenever I have to indulge in a bit of snacking, I head out to Kaka vada pav, which is a small stall in Shivaji Park for a good bite.
Kaka vada pav
At Behind Ravi caterers, Swatantryaveer Savarkar Road, Shivaji Park, Dadar West.
Quick, happy meals
Hemant Divate, poet, editor and publisher
Bombil stuffed with prawn. Pic courtesy/Jai Hind
I still remember the hectic-ness that preceded the making of the earlier issues of Abhidha Nantar, a literary journal back in the 1980s where we would do the DTP, editing, proof-reading, and printing at the Lokvangmaya press in Dadar. Since this was before the advent of high technology, we couldn’t pick up the phone every two minutes to check the time.
The only thing that reminded us about the approaching lunchtime was the clock in our stomachs. When our stomachs roared, we fled to Hotel Jaihind in Parel to devour food, especially my favourite — bharlele bombil. Bombil or Bombay duck stuffed with small prawns cooked in a delicious masala, fried crisp to perfection used to be the highlight of my lunch. Meals shared with dear friends and loved ones consistently elevated the whole experience to a higher level.
Jai Hind Lunch Home
At Multiple outlets (Bandra East, Lower Parel, Prabhadevi)
Call 8097454913
The pav-er of misal
Mandar Bhide, stand-up comedian
Misal pav. Pic courtesy/Aaswad on Instagram
It is hard for me to choose between misal pav and vada pav. Having travelled all over Maharashtra, I can say that the misal is different in each city, and everyone claims to have the best version of it.
When I started my sales job in 2011, I was posted in Kolhapur for four weeks for a training programme and ate misal pav every day for lunch without ever getting bored. In Mumbai, I like heading out to Aaswad and Prakash in Dadar for vegetarian food and Sadichha in Bandra for crab dishes and kombdi vade.
Aaswad Upahar and Mithai Gruh
At Sanskruti Building Gadkari Chauk, 4, Lady Jamshedji Road, opposite Shiv Sena Bhavan, Dadar West.
Call 9867890933
Sadichha
At Opposite MIG Cricket Club Road, Gandhi Nagar, Bandra East.
Call 8291612018
Prakash Shakahari Upahaar Kendra
At Horizon Building, Gokhale Road, Dadar West.
Call 9867890933
Also check out
A classic fare
Located in Kala Ghoda, this restaurant has been popular among sea food fans from the city as well as tourists.
AT Trishna, Sai Baba Mandir Marg, next to Commerce House, Kala Ghoda, Fort.
CALL 9206260260
Prawn koliwada. Pic courtesy/Trishna on Instagram
Seafood bonanza
This city-favourite haunt is famous for its delish coastal fare. From crispy bombil fry and spicy crab dishes, to stuffed pomfret and flavourful prawn curries, one only needs to have the appetite and the heart to indulge in classic Maharashtrian flavours.
AT Gajalee, Multiple locations (Vile Parle, Andheri East)
CALL 2226166470 (Vile Parle outlet)
A traditional thaali. Pic courtesy/Gajalee on Instagram
Simple yet bold
Whether you are craving bharleli vangi or a plate of fiery Nagpur saoji chicken or Malvani cocktails, this Mahim landmark is a must-halt.
AT Diva Maharashtracha, Mili Building, Takandas Kataria Marg, next to Goa Portuguesa Restobar, Shivaji Park.
CALL 0224440707
A classic Maharashtrian spread. Pic courtesy/Diva Maharashtracha on Instagram
Maharashtrian favourites
True to its name, this eatery’s menu is a delight for those who love their puran poli, kothimbir vadi, batata usal and other snacks served deliciously hot.
AT Mi Marathi, Alpha Society, Parle Road, Navpada, Vile Parle East.
CALL 9619557173
All in one
This eatery whips up diverse flavours from Kolhapur, Alibaug, Konkan as well as Vidarbha.
AT The Maratha Kitchen, Sonawala Road, opposite Corporate Annex, near Udyog Bhavan, Sonawala Industrial Estate, Goregaon.
CALL 8850965616
Old favourite
Loved by many for its simple and affordable menu, this old outlet has stood the test of time to deliver the best of Maharashtrian snacks and dishes to Mumbaikars.
AT Panshikar, multiple outlets (Dadar, Vile Parle, Girgaon, Ghatkopar)
CALL 9833209882 (Ghatkopar)
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