Pune SUPERFAST express - local street food & cafe guide

There is a long list of things that makes a city, well, Pune, but a huge part of it is thanks to its food—specifically, street food. Ab misal aur vada pav toh pure Maharashtra me mil jayega, fir Pune me kya khaas hain? Honestly, there’s a lot, yet there’s no difference. What makes Pune’s street food special are the people and stories behind each dish.

Ab padhoge tab hi janoge. Here’s a Hosteller-approved Pune favorite you should definitely try.

1. Vada Pav

Honestly, vada pav is vada pav no matter where you eat it. Every stall will have its unique recipe—some you’ll like, some you won’t. Go ahead and try every vada pav stall you can find during your stay in Pune and make your own list of the top 10 vada pav stalls in the city.

The iconic Vada Pav

2. Amrutalya ki chai

If you’re in Pune, you’ve got to try the Puneri-special Amrutalya ki chai. One sip and you’ll definitely ask, chai me cheeni hai ya cheeni me chai? It’s so sweet, your lips might stick together! Best enjoyed with a vada pav, you’ll find it at almost every corner of Pune.

Steaming hot chai

3. Loni Sponge Dosa or Set Dosa

An all-rounder in all sorts, loni sponge dosa is one of the best street foods in Pune you can try. The special butter used in the preparation is what infuses the unique taste that steals your heart. You’d always end up wanting more. Plus, you can have it any time of the day or pair it with anything at all. It originated in Pune but is popular across multiple cities of Maharashtra. If you get a chance, try a simple, classic loni sponge dosa instead of the fusion versions. Where to go for the yummiest loni sponge dosas? For us, it has to be a small cart run by an old couple on Cybage Road, Kalyani Nagar, just outside Cerebrum IT Park. You can find your own favorite. For everything else, there’s Google.

 Pune style sponge dosa

4. Triple rice

Though triple rice or noodles originated in Mumbai, it’s more popular in Pune. The best part? If you can’t finish a full plate, iska one-by-two bhi milta hai! Don’t forget to ask for timepass—it’s practically a crime to forget it. Try it anywhere, you’d get a very similar taste.

Triple rice | Credits: zomato.com

5. S.P.D.P.

Sounds like Power Rangers SPD, but it’s much simpler—sev puri, dahi puri. Talking about the dish, it’s a mouthful treat for the tongue. Imagine a cold blend of the green chutney, meethi chutney along with dahi landing straight in your throat. Thandak pe jaandi aa yaara. And if you are a Puneri, you must eat it at least once a day. Uske bina your day is incomplete. You can try it at Shree Krishna Hotel in Viman Nagar.

Pune’s S.P.D.P

6. Tandoori Chai

No matter how something like this came into existence, but we all should be thankful that it did. The taste of tandoor in chai is what was really missing in our lives. And listen, haters gonna hate but tandoori chai is LOVVVVV! Visit Chai La! The Tandoor Tea, run by Amol Dilip Rajdeo opposite Zensar IT Park, Kharadi. After all, he’s the one who invented it.

Smoky, spicy, and served in sizzling clay cups—Tandoori Chai

7. Shrewsbury biscuits

Angrez chale gaye, Shrewsbury biscuits chodd gaye. Yes, the Brits invented it and Puneris made it famous. The local bakeries have a huge role to play in making sure Shrewsbury reaches every Punekar. If you want to taste the wonder, take a trip to Kayani Bakery, home of the legendary Shrewsbury biscuits, and order it with a cup of Irani chai.

Shrewsbury biscuits | Credits:lbb.in

8. A1 Sandwiches

Created at Shree Krishna Classic Club Sandwich, the A1 sandwich is a double-decker sandwich made with three slices of buttered bread and green chutney along with everything else that goes into a sandwich. It’s been a Pune special for the last 20 years now and is good enough to fill your stomach for the rest of the day.

A1 sandwich Pune | Credits: zomato.in

9. Mastani

When you hear it, you’ll ask yourself if the name has something to do with Bajirao & Mastani. The answer is yes. The drink is named after Mastani. You can find a Mastani-serving thella across the streets of Pune. Ask them for a sitafal mastani. Ohh… if you want to taste the OG mastani, go to Cold Drink House at Budhwar Peth and ask for Bajirao Mastani. The current owner’s grandfather, Baburao Gujar, is credited as the inventor of this Pune icon.

Sujata Mastani,Sadashiv Peth, Pune

10. Sol Kadhi

Why even call it sol kadhi and not soul kadhi? Matlab, one sip and it heals not just your hungry stomach but your soul. Haa, thoda teekha rehta hai par if you can’t take a little bit of spice in life, what good are you?

Pune’s Sol kadhi

11. Lemon Soda

Call it a local tradition, but zasti jevlis ta soda pya. After a heavy lunch, the local lemon soda that comes in small glass bottles will fix your day. You can find them at any chai-sutta stores and some eateries.

Lemon soda

12. Jumbo Burgers at Burger (previously Burger King)

We had the honor of trying these jumbo burgers at a small, greenly-lit local café near Kalyani Nagar, just next to Westin Hotel. We would describe it as “FULL PAISA WASOOL.” A burger that’s as big as The Great Khali’s hands and can satisfy at least 3 people in one go. If you somehow manage to eat a complete burger, you’ll definitely skip a meal. Here’s what we liked about these burgers—size (it is hugeeee), the crunch, the quantity of chicken in the patties, and the cost. It used to be called Burger King but had to change the name due to legal issues.

Pune’s Jumbo king | Credits: sid-thewanderer.com

13. Bakarwadi by Chitale Bandhu

If you are taking a trip to Pune and want a souvenir, Chitale Bandhu’s Bakarwadi is the answer. Bakarwadi is a spiral-shaped fried snack loaded with a mix of sweet and spicy flavors.

Chitale Bandhu’s Bakarwadi | Credit: amazon.com

14. Keema Pav at Goodluck Cafe

Just for the love of comfort food and good non-veg, try keema pav at Goodluck Cafe. The place is ancient and hence, there’s always going to be a rush. But, if you don’t try the keema pav here, you won’t know what keema pavs should taste like.

Good luck cafe, Pune | Credits: lbb.in

15. Zeeshan Biryani

Punekars of Viman Nagar won’t shut up about this place. So, you’d have to give it a try. Their Hyderabadi Biryani is great and the ambience is awesome.

Zeshaan Biryani | Credits: zomato.com

16. Chicken and Mutton thali

Don’t ask us where but whenever you are very hungry and want something that soothes the mansahari in you, ask a local and he’d tell you. The rassa is always spicy, thin and bhakri ke saath toh you’d end up eating more than you could.

Pune’s chicken and mutton thali | Credits: punemirror.com

Before we conclude… there are a couple of food items you won’t find on the street-side thellas and dhabas (even if you do, it won’t be as good). You’ll have to butter your Puneri friend for the same. Here’s a list of things you need your Punekar friend to taste—puran poli, pithla bhakri, sabudana khichdi, poha, bharli vangi, varan bhaat, sabudana vada, batata bhaji, and zunka bhakar.