5 Must-try eateries in and around Panshet: A food lover's guide

Imagine cruising on the calm roads in the vicinity of Panshet, with the tranquil dam on one side of the road and the majestic Western Ghats on the other. Your stomach begins to rumble, and you think; which place will be the best to pop in for a delicious meal?

The location has great beauty since it is surrounded by hills and large water bodies, the area of Panshet is not only for nature and adventure trekkers. You can take a road trip to enjoy various local delicacies, from roadside dhabas to restaurants with stunning views – this guide sums up the main eating spots of the Panshet region and its surroundings.

Who is all set to take on this culinary challenge? Come let’s jump into the 5 mouth-watering eating houses in Panshet and around it that will have you in its unending hunger.

1. Rhea’s Cafe: A cosy retreat with homemade goodness

The Rhea's Cafe is a bit off the road and this little cafe is a treat for people who like simple things in life. The place is quite warm with dim lights and wooden chairs and tables that make you feel comfortable. One can relax and have an unhurried meal.

What to try

Everything on their menu is comfort food. Do not forget to order the poha when you are here. It is light, soft and tempered well with mustard seeds and curry leaves. If you are coming here for lunch don’t miss out on the dal tadka with jeera rice. It is heart-warming. And for the people who love desserts, the modaks, a Maharashtrian sweet made at home is something you should not miss.

• Drive time from The Hosteller Panshet: 1 hour 5 minutes (35.6 km)

Rhea’s Cafe | Credits: Charan

2. Cafe By The Valley: Fusion flavours with a twist

Perched quite beautifully next to the dam, this is a favourite joint for many tourists as well as the localities. Cafe By The Valley has a diverse menu for those looking for a little adventure with their food. Cafe By The Valley is distinctive because of its creative menu and unique setting. The food in the Cafe By The Valley is placed on their outdoor deck where there is a dam and hills all around. This is the first of its kind to introduce its customers to an opportunity to taste different flavours as they view Panshet’s landscapes.

What to try

The real catch here is the fusion cuisine. In this regard, one should order paneer tikka pizza, where the spicy presunto paneer is the star of the show, with all that melted cheese and a crispy base. Nice touch with the spicy Indian fusion coz of the masala pasta. And if that’s too much for you, Puran poli served with ghee, is another brilliant alternative.

• Drive time from The Hosteller Panshet: 1 hour 8 minutes (36.7 km)

Puran Poli | Credits: Canva

3. Honey’s Gourmet: Coffee and conversations with a view

Situated on the hill with an astonishing Sahyadri view, this cafe is one of the best places to chill on a lazy afternoon with a cup of coffee and a favourite novel. One key aspect of the Honey’s Gourmet which makes it different from other cafe joints is the ambience. The cafe has a colourful mountain view through sunken large glass windows. It has soft distant music and comfortable seats where you can sit loose and have a dialogue for ages or gloat over the beauty of the creation.

What to try

If you would like something simple, their savoury grilled sandwiches with filling of cheese, tomato and basil are highly delicious. Its local reputation of coffee made out of freshly ground beans from its surrounding plantation, Honey’s Gourmet is also popular for its carrot cakes. If you have a good portion of their spiced yet moist carrot cake, make sure to accompany it with a coffee.

• Drive time from The Hosteller Panshet: 1 hour 10 minutes (36.1 km)

Carrot Cake | Credits: Canva

4. Tipsy Turtle Poolside Lounge Cafe: A culinary journey through Maharashtra

Tipsy Turtle Poolside Lounge Cafe is a place where you come to elope with a great food culture that is native to Maharashtra. The food is prepared in a way that is typical of the region with a menu that sources local produce as much as possible. What makes Tipsy Turtle Poolside Lounge Cafe special is the fact they keep their culture alive. The recipes written on the industrial notepads have been in the families for years. They also use fresh ingredients as the recipes demand to meet the expectations.

What to try

One must-try here is the Maharashtrian thali which is a true treat. It has everything from varan bhaat (lentil curry with rice) to pithla (gram flour curry), koshimbir, and sol kadhi. The preparation for all of them is thorough, so you will taste a good amount of real flavours with every single meal.

• Drive time from The Hosteller Panshet: 1 hour 12 minutes (44 km)

Tipsy Turtle Poolside Lounge Cafe | Credits: Tipsy Turtle Poolside Lounge Cafe

5. Lakeview Dhaba: Traditional flavours with a scenic view

Food lovers should head to Lakeview Dhaba because it is the perfect cafe with a terrace that tells you rustic Panshet in one encapsulated view. Less than a kilometre away from Panshet Dam, this dhaba promises you delectable food and a panoramic view of the calm water of the lake. The setting is the main attraction of the dhaba. Wooden benches are placed under thatched roofs. Thus, you can have your food while feeling nice cool weather owing to a mild lake breeze. It is a basic yet engaging dining experience where the only thing that matters is food along with its ambience.

What to try

The food is a beautiful amalgamation of Maharashtrian and North Indian cultures. Let’s begin with their hot bhakri and zunka, a typical quintessential villager dish made of gram flour. Add a fiery hot thecha and say goodbye to your hunger. The misal pav in this place is a favourite amongst the people, and it is quite rich and spicy.

• Drive time from The Hosteller Panshet: 1 hour 23 minutes (50.7 km)

Lakeview Dhaba | Credits: Mandar

Conclusion

Panshet is famous for its picturesque landscape and fun-filled moments of adventure activities, but let no one be cheated, the food here is miles ahead of imagination. 5 such establishments and yet no two are similar, be it the meal of Maharashtrian food, North Indian food or fusion food. They are all encapsulated within the splendid landscapes of the Western Ghats and ready to tantalise your taste buds.

Whether you are in transit or a tourist wanting to experience the local cuisine, these certain places in and around Panshet are culinary experiences worthy of memories. Therefore, the next time you find yourself in this splendid region, be sure to sample its cuisine. The Hostelller Panshet is also going live soon to sort out your stay and provide every meal as a treat to the senses.