Pure Vegetarian food in India includes milk and milk products, but not eggs, which along with seafood are considered to be non-vegetarian. Prepackaged foods are marked with either a red or green dot in a square frame, denoting non-vegetarian and vegetarian food, respectively.
The most popular foods in Pune are thali and South Indian food. A thali literally means "a plate." A thali generally includes two or three vegetables, pulses (peas, beans or lentils), salad, curd (yogurt), dal, and chapati or roti. Some thali restaurants provide an unlimited amount of food at a fixed price. A thali is a wholesome, nutritious meal.
Other popular South Indian foods include idli, dosas, uttapam and wada pav. Fermented foods composed of powdered pulses and rice, take care of most of your daily dietary requirements and are extremely tasty and healthy. The main dish is accompanied by side dishes, or chutneys, made of coconut and chilies, and sambhar, which are sometimes a little spicy. The main dish is not spicy.
1224, Apte Road, Shivajinagar
Call +91 20 2553 2424Call 6602 7149Map
Hours: Opens 11:30AM ⋅ Closes 3PM ⋅ Reopens 7:30PM
Across the street from Hotel Shreyas. Behind the Dhanraj Co-Housing Society sign (a very visible sign—the Asha sign is hidden by a tree). This thali restaurant serves decent, wholesome food at a reasonable price. A favorite with Iyengar students. Address: Apte Rd, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune, Maharashtra 411004
1648, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak Rd, Ramashram Society, Lokamanya Nagar, Limayewadi, Sadashiv Peth, Pune, Maharashtra 411030, India
Prabhat Road
“Just a weird assortment of delicious food. It's almost as if the owner decided what dishes he was going to make and then decided to make them without referring to any recipe or person that might know anything about the dish. All the food is surprisingly delicious, although bears little or no resemblance to the original dish. Try the pizza; it is not even close to anything that you might know as pizza. The supreme pizza has cashews and raisins on it. I'll leave it at that! This place has a nice pomegranate juice drink.”
— a food blogger and Iyengar student
FC Road, Next to Sagar Arcade (a little further along FC Road than Roopali Restaurant)
Bohemian Café. South Indian food. Best Kulfi in town.
Raviwar Peth
A thali favorite, near the Sugandhi perfume store (opposite the railway booking office).
1044, Dhotre Path, Model Colony, Shivajinagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411016, India
It's a thali canteen (a bit like Asha Dining Hall). It is on the road parallel with Hare Krishna Mandir Road (the road that the Institute is on) and is only a 5minute walk away. Come out of RMIYI, turn right and then turn left past Pune Central shopping mall, then take the second left on Dhotre Path, towards Om supermarket. The Jain Boarding House is half way along on the left. It provides accommodation and meals for Jains working and studying in Pune… and it's so delicious!
3rd floor, before Dagaduseth Ganpati, Sampada Mahal, 576, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Rd, opp. Vasant Talkies Complex, Budhwar Peth, Pune, Maharashtra 411004, India
It is nearby if you are visiting Shaniwar Wada.
“Super clean, amazing service and was one of the best meals I had in India”
— a student
2431, East Street, Camp, Pune – 411001 / 573/7, Jangali Maharaj Road, Deccan, Pune - 411004
Call +91 (20) 2613 0909Call +91 (20) 2552 1551MapWebsite
Rajasthani & Gujrati Thali food at Mayur. This is just a small cozy restaurant with loads of food! Two locations.
Pune Camp, 2 A, Moledina Road
Hours: 08:00 to 23:00 hrs
Pune Coffee House is a pure vegetarian restaurant located on Moledina Road. It serves a good cup of coffee and a wide variety of vegetarian food including South Indian, Punjabi, Chinese and continental. This partially air conditioned 180-seat restaurant is open from 08:00 to 23:00 hrs. Well recommended restaurant with a great vibe and popular amongst Indians. A small room is available for banquets.
Shaniwar Peth, Pune 411030
Dealing Corner, Jangali Maharaj Road, Opp. Sambhaji Park
Call +91 20 25532179Call 255368886Map
Veg Restaurant. Serves great tandoori panir and vegetables.
1242 B, Apte Rd, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune, Maharashtra 411004, India
"Great all-you-can-eat thali." A favorite among Iyengar students, Hotel Shreyas serves thali style meals. It is wonderful for bringing a large group and it is very clean and plentiful. Keep in mind that thali is traditionally a lunchtime dish, so visit midday or on a Saturday or Sunday for lunch. It's a fun experience with friends.
636, Deccan Gymkhana, near Z Bridge, off Jangali Maharaj Road, Pulachi Wada
Call +91 20 2553 0077Call 6601 3222Map
Hours: 11:30 am to 3 pm and 7 pm until closing
They do great takeouts. "It gets very busy after 8 pm."
End of Hare Krishna Mandir Road (beyond the Chetak and the Ambassador, a few steps past Godaam Coffee) at the junction of Fergusson College Road
Highly recommended by Iyengar teachers, plentiful food, air conditioning in the upstairs dining room. Traditional dishes, uttapam, dosas.
Fergusson College Road
Has very good thalis. They also serve good upma at breakfast time (get there before 10:30am). Very popular with the locals. The staff is friendly and understanding.
1199/1A, F.C. Road, Pune
Ethnic Maharashtrian Thali.
Around the corner from the Lalit Mahal on Fergusson College Road, left, toward the police ground
Shravan always has fresh flowers and clean linen on its tables, and it's reasonably priced with a varied menu.
Fergusson College Road
Good dosas, great sweet kachories.
Fergusson College Road (down the lane, near Roopali, then ask)
Lakaki Road, Model Colony
Plot No 334, SR No 31, 335, Lane Number 5, near Koregaon Park, Ashok Chakra Society, Suyojana Society, Kavadewadi, Pune, Maharashtra 411001, India
Deccan Gymkhana, FC Road
This is as close as you will get to an Indian diner. Popular with students.
“I just go for the unspoiled interior. I hope they never modernize!”
— Editor
Lane 6, Beside H2O, Koregaon Park, Pune
An Australian woman (and her Indian/Australian husband) have opened a Western style cafe in Koregaon Park. Great (real) coffee and excellent healthy food.
The German Bakery has reopened but the ambience is totally different to the charming down-to-earth old German Bakery. It is now a fancy gourmet restaurant. If you want to experience the old German Bakery hospitality, walk about 100 meters down towards B Lane and look for the Yogi Tree Coffee Shop.
“The little silver shop next door to the bakery is living in fear of its livelihood as they are bulldozing all illegal shops and stalls in that area. We watched them doing it – tragic.”
— a student
1120, Model Colony Rd, Model Colony, Shivajinagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411016, India
Offers a wide variety of breakfast and lunch items as well as events and live music. Coffee comes in drip, aero press, espresso and many other formats. They also make chai. Easy to get to from the Institute. Highly recommended!!!
Rajkamal Survey No. 759/125, Prabhat Road, Opposite Cox and Kings, Near, Kelkar Nursing Home, Pune, Maharashtra 411004, India
Offers a wide variety of foods including pizzas and European/Western dishes. Convenient when attending sessions in Deccan Gymkhana.
Shop # 7. Charuchandra Apt., Near Deep Bungalow Chowk (next to Om Supermarket. Model Colony. Shivajinagar. Pune – 411016
Hours: 11.30am – 3pm; 7pm – 10.30pm
Oriental Kitchen. Good Thai food.
6, Moledina Road, Camp. Opposite the West End Theatre
Call +91 20 2633 0724Call 2636 3938Map
This high-end restaurant is the perfect place to dine when shopping on M.G. Road. At the exterior are huge murals of the Ramayana. Ask to sit in the inner dining room where it's air conditioned and quiet. Gracious waiters.
119/1A, Fergusson College Road
Shop # 1 Rajas Garden, opposite the Hanuman temple, Model Colony (near MSIHMCT), Pune 411016
Call +91 20 65116639Call 9881060997Call 9822047392Map
Highly recommended by a number of students. Examples of food are open multigrain sandwiches, salads, whole wheat pasta, and freshly squeezed juices. Free Wi-Fi is available.
“A sweet little cafe/restaurant serving global gourmet food. The food is fresh, delicious and healthy.”
— a number of students
Lane 8 Koregaon Park
Here you can find London muffins, bagels, pound cake and other international bakery products.
Ambedkar Road (in front of the Thali Dining Hall), Camp, Pune
Highly recommended; clean for a street stall and fresh products.
'O' Hotel rooftop
Also a great place.
Bhandarkar Rd.
Bakers Basket, a bakery on Bhandarkar Rd. sells the best Black forest pastry you'll ever have. "When I lived there, they soaked it with pure Rum. Hopefully they're still continuing the tradition."
Ista Hotel
For Thai and Asian. (great ambience).
This is a store that makes fresh potato chips and sprinkles it with your choice of spice. It is right opposite Marzorin. After this Lays just won't cut it.
Lane 8, Between Lane 6 and 7 Koregaon Park
Hours: Closed on Thursdays
Cake Shop. Forennte has the best chocolate éclair in town.
392A, Mahale Plot, Off Senapati Bapat Road, Pune – 411 016
You'll find this pretty much anywhere and realize how Zico is just a lot of rubbish!
Prabhat Road
Good Punjabi food.
Also try the coffee shop Go.
For the best Parsi confectioneries with recipes from the British Raj.
Boat Club Road
This is a completely different cuisine. Indian/ Chinese. Now also in Senapati Bapat Road: 15 minutes walk from the Institute.
(very simple white bread sandwiches like you've never had before). Highly recommended.
Marriott Hotel and Convention Centre
Rooftop Bar at Marriott Hotel and Convention Centre. Great Indian food.
Shop No. 4B, Bhandarkar Road, Lane 6, Intersection Deccan Gymkhana, Pune 411004
Call +91 (0) 7507379238Call 9766875042MapEmail
Chef Patron. Siddharth Mahadik. Advanced Culinary arts. La Cordon Bleu. Sydney. Bistro. Follow them on Face Book.
Shop # C-04, sr. # 359, Rahul Terrace, Lane # 7, Koregaon Park
Gorgeous, gorgeous vegan cakes! Unique enterprise. There is another one in town, but we don't know the address yet.
FC Road (Opposite Fergusson College Gate # 2. Below Allahabad Bank, Pune
Italian Food has become quite popular in Pune. A few possibilities are:
Pune Marriott Hotel and Convention Centre
Phoenix Market City, Vimannagar / Amanora Park Town
Hotel Sunderban, Lane 1, 19 Koregaon Park, Pune 411001
Call +91 20 26053597Call 26053596Call 32405960MapEmailWebsite
Shop Nos. 3 & 4, City Point, Dhole Patil Road
Hotel Shrima, Bund Garden Road
Highly recommended.
Next to Pune Central, on University/Ganeshkhind Road (around the corner from RIMYI)
A regular haunt for RIMYI students who crave a change from Indian food. It is all vegetarian and has Mexican and Indian as well as Italian menus. It's part of a large chain with locations throughout India.
SGS Magnum Mall on Moledina Road, Pune Camp
Or if you're in the mood, there is a Pizza Hut in Pune Camp at the SGS Magnum Mall on Moledina Road.
361,Bund Garden Road
Next to Bishops School, Kalyani Nagar / Aundh Shop No 1 & 6 Vaishnavi Apartment, D P Road, Aundh, Pune 411007
Samrat Ashok Road, Sakore Nagar, Viman Nagar, Pune 411014
Call +91 20 6645 1234MapWebsite
Sunday Jazz Buffets.
Next to Pune Central, Ganeshkhind Road
For Sunday brunch.
For their buffets. They have 2 restaurants, which have buffets. Spice Kitchen for global cuisine (both lunch and dinner) & Shakahari, for vegetarian Asian cuisine (open only for dinner).
Bund Garden Road, Pune
The breakfast and lunch buffets can be a treat. It's expensive—the lunch buffet includes unlimited wine.
North Main Road, Koregaon Park, Pune 411001
Call + 91 20 40011000MapWebsite
Great food and great service. Fax + 91 20 40011009
University Road, Shivajinagar, Pune – 411005
Call +91-20-25534567Call 25530444Map
Enjoy your Sunday brunch sitting by the pool. The best buffet in town is at the recently renovated Pride Hotel, about a five-minute walk from the Institute. Check out the coffee shop and the restaurant upstairs.
A delicious service! Fresh salad delivered to your door. In Saswad. An organic farm that organizes day tours. If you get a group together, they can host a visit. There is a farm shop.
Call +91 9881826002EmailWebsite
Organic food delivered from farm to home. Contact phone # for your order.
In Deccan Gymkhana at the bottom of FC Road on the corner, near the "grounds"
For the best Maharashtrian sweets.
Next door to Fantasy on Boat Club Road
Shop No. 5, Sri Siddeshwar Heights, ITI Road, Aundh
Well worth the 15-minute drive—delicious sweets. Highly recommended. One minute away from Geeta Bhojwani's store: Arnav. See: Clothing, Crafts and Gifts.
Ghole Road, Shivajinagar
Ice-cream chain, quite delicious, not too sweet. Try the chiku ice cream. They offer flavors made from the fruits of the season.
Koregaon Park next to the Westin Hotel at the basement of Koregaon Mall
It carries all international products including bok choy, chinese kale and a large selection of Asian spices. There are meat/poultry/seafood sections and a pastry corner with a wide selection of breads.
Moledina Road (just before M.G. Road) / inside the Pavilion Mall next to the JW Marriott Hotel, 30 Senapati Bapat Road, first floor
Has almost everything you forgot to bring or could ever want, e.g. real Dutch Gouda cheese. This store now has a good supply of gluten free products. Dorabjee's also has a great selection of organic cooking oils, flours, dahl, tahini, cereal, honey, spices, and almond milk. The branch in the Pavilion Mall has a wine store with domestic and foreign wines.
Corner of Nargis Dutt and Hare Krishna Mandir Rd
A convenience store, has many western products, also has kitchen dishwashing gloves, foil wrap, oatmeal, muesli, spices, salt pepper eggs tofu ghee etc. Good in a pinch because it's walking distance from your apt or the Institute, but expensive by comparison with Dorabjee's.
Opposite Chitale's Shop, Shanipar
For all kinds of khakra.
Just around the (Toyota dealership) corner from Hare Krishna Mandir
Now called Maharashtra House. Has fresh milk, yogurt, ghee, spices, rice, mung dal, etc. and ice-cream. They are very helpful. Don't be thrown by the line cutting. They now stock student requirements such as tofu, brown rice and pasta.
Has everything you need to spend more than a month in Pune - take the Toyota street and take second right. People are really kind, helping you to find what you want.
(There are many little shops on Toyota street that can help you with things for the kitchen etc.)
Koregaon Park (across from Anokhi clothing store). Shop No.1 and 2, Ground Floor, Business Square, Plot no. 325/3, Lane No.5, Pune 411001
A new grocery store with (rather pricey) health food options.
Gokhale Road. Model Colony
1 Kamaliga Apartment, 1306 Bank of Baroda Lane, Jangali Maharaj Road
Hours: 10 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm. Closed Sunday
A new shop.
Shop No. 4 Swaroop Complex Opp. HP Petrol Pump, Karve Road, Erandwane, Pune, India
Organic pulses, milk, eggs, veggies, flours. The owner, Supriya is also a language teacher- Marathi, Hindi. She also offers cooking lessons.
Toward Bund Garden Road
Carries brown rice, extra virgin olive oil, soy milk, etc.
The fruit and vegetable carts (the vegetable seller is a "bhaji wallah") are outside the Institute daily from about 9 am to 11 am.
You can also go to the fruit and vegetable market near the Institute at the top of Hare Krishna Mandir Road (opposite the bank): Turn right at the Toyota dealership, pass the Maharashtra grocery store (where you can pick up staples like rice, oil, bread, milk and curd, as well as tea and coffee, Nescafé, spices) and walk straight ahead until you come to the next road (traffic junction "chowk") and see Charu's, a restaurant with yellow awnings. Turn right and walk on until you come to the market on your left. Often between 10 am – 12 pm and 4 pm – 8 pm you will find vendors in plenty near the Toyota dealership and on the corner Charu's is on.
Next to Tulsi Baug
There is a large vegetable market, which is fairly amazing called Mandai market. It is located next to Tulsi Baug. The architecture of the building in which the market functions in, is also interesting. The vendors inside are more expensive while the quality of inside and outside seem to be the same. The best days to go are Saturday and early Sunday, as early as 8 am. In Tulsi Baug one can find almost anything. It gets extremely busy on the weekends. Most stores open at 10, and this is the best time to go. Most shops generally close from 12 pm – 4 pm for lunch and siesta.
Do not miss the large fruit and vegetable market on Gokhale Road, near OM supermarket.
If you are living in one of the apartments that Sharda is caring for (next to Hare Krishna Mandir Road), ask her to arrange to have Shantabai prepare Marathi food for you. Marathi cooking is basically the same as ayurvedic cooking.
You'll need to buy the following basic ingredients:
Vegetables are "bhaji" in Marathi. The man at the Maharashtra store speaks English, so he can help you.
Know a place that should be here, or something that has changed? Suggest an addition.
