Food In Khandala

Food History of Khandala, Maharashtra, India

Khandala, a hill station in Maharashtra, has a rich culinary heritage that blends the traditions of the Maratha and Konkani peoples with influences from the Western Ghats. Food here is predominantly vegetarian, reflecting the dietary habits of much of the local population and the variety of fresh produce available in this verdant region. The cuisine is known for its mild to spicy flavors, with a generous use of coconut, jaggery, rice, and an array of aromatic spices like cardamom and nutmeg, which are grown locally in the Western Ghats.

Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Khandala

1. Pav Bhaji (Veg): A spicy blend of vegetables cooked in tomato gravy and served with buttered pav (bread rolls).
2. Vada Pav (Veg): The quintessential Maharashtrian snack, it consists of a spicy potato filling deep fried in chickpea batter served inside a bread roll.
3. Missal Pav (Veg): A spicy curry made with moth beans served with pav and topped with onions, lemon, and coriander.
4. Bhakri (Veg): A type of flatbread usually made from jowar or bajra, often accompanied by chutney or vegetables.
5. Poha (Veg): Flattened rice cooked with onions, mustard seeds, and turmeric, garnished with fresh coriander and served with slices of lemon.
6. Modak (Veg): Sweet dumplings made of rice flour, stuffed with a mixture of grated coconut and jaggery, steamed to perfection.
7. Sabudana Khichdi (Veg): A dish made of sago pearls, typically consumed during fasts, it's spiced with cumin, green chilies, and peanuts.
8. Shrikhand (Veg): A sweet dish made of strained yogurt, sugar, saffron, and cardamom, often served with puri.
9. Amti (Veg): A lentil curry made using pigeon peas or toor dal, flavored with goda masala, tamarind, and jaggery.
10. Bharli Vangi (Veg): Baby eggplants stuffed with coconut, peanuts, and a mix of Maharashtrian spices, then slow-cooked to create a delicious curry.

Top Famous Restaurants in Khandala and Their Specialties

• Hotel Ramakrishna
  Address: Lonavala Square Mall, Khandala
  Famous Food: Chole Bhature (Veg)

• The German Bakery Wunderbar
  Address: Old Mumbai-Pune Hwy, Khandala
  Famous Food: Vegetarian Pizza (Veg)

• Cafe 24 - Della Resorts
  Address: Kunegaon, Khandala
  Famous Food: Paneer Tikka (Veg)

• TRIOSE Boutique Hotel
  Address: Ryewood Park, Lonavala, Khandala
  Famous Food: Margherita Pizza (Veg)

• PNF Restaurant & Bar
  Address: Main Bazaar, Khandala
  Famous Food: Dal Khichdi (Veg)

These restaurants, among others in Khandala, not only showcase traditional Maharashtrian vegetarian cuisine but also offer a variety of other vegetarian dishes that cater to the palates of tourists from all over the world.