My uncle and aunt are coming to meet me in Pune, and I would be taking them out to dinner. I am someone who can eat anywhere, but when it comes to elders, I think it is good to take them to a good eating place. They are both vegetarians, so I need to know what are the best veg restaurants in Pune? They like food from other countries, but I think it would be safe to just suggest Indian restaurants for me unless there is an exceptionally good non-Indian veg restaurant.
Hello, @Devyani, welcome to the forum! (Images from Sarah, Nishant, Superfast and Shankar) Overview Pune was once a prime city during the pre-colonial rule, being the seat of the Peshwa dynasty. In present times, it is one of the fast developing cities of Maharashtra. With leading educational institutions, industry hubs and IT hubs, Pune isn't far behind from the state capital, Mumbai. As such, it has gained popularity as a tourist destination in itself especially with its ideal location, close to a number of hill stations. Over the years, tourist infrastructures have increased in the city which includes restaurants. So if you want to taste the very best of Maharashtrian cuisine, venture into Pune and enjoy the delectable dishes from the Queen of the Deccan. In this guide, the best vegetarian restaurants in the city would be highlighted, mostly in the Indian cuisine but some of the international cuisines. Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Pune 1. Aaoji Khhaoji - Aaoji Khhaoji has two locations in Pune, one in JM Road and another in Aundh Road. However, the latter is the higher rated branch of the two restaurants. This pure vegetarian restaurant is a legendary outlet in Pune. While its ambience is very simple, with just wooden tables and chairs, spread across two levels, the North Indian dishes served here are regarded as the best in the city. Their menu is quite extensive with thalis, tandoori dishes, dals and sabzis. For a unique dining experience though, opt for any of their Legendary Thalis, which are named after famous Bollywood celebrities. One of their all-time best sellers is the Deepika Padukone Thali which consists of two sabzis, dal makhani, rajma, chole, two sweet dishes, special paratha and more. Aside from the delectable and complete meal, the quantities served here are quite huge, suitable for even two persons to share one thali. Classic North Indian dishes such as Paneer Tikka and Chole Bhature are also worth trying here. If you still have room in your tummy, their Malai Lassi is refreshingly good and their Gulab Jamun is sweet enough to satisfy your sweet tooth. This is the best place to indulge in vegetarian dishes that are not only healthy but also delicious. For just Rs. 250, you can satisfy your stomach here and even two stomachs for the same price, for the light eaters. Cuisine/s - North Indian Must Try Dishes - Deepika Padukone Thali, Paneer Tikka, Chole Bhature, Malai Lassi (Beverage) and Gulab Jamun Address - Shop No. 31, Raghukul Nagari, Opposite Patil Complex, Ambedkar Chowk, Bopodi, Aundh Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411020, India Contact Number - +91 80 5555 4482 Aaoji Khhaoji Kumbhkaran Thali (Image from Mukkaa) 2. Vaishali - For many locals of Pune, the mere mention of Vaishali warrants a feeling of home. This is the pride of Pune, the iconic restaurant which would then become the legacy of the city when it comes to South Indian cuisine. Originally, Vaishali was known as the Madras Health Home, established by Jagannath Shetty in 1951. What was then a small eating joint frequented by students then became the most popular local restaurant of Pune. Now, it's not uncommon to find crowds here, especially on weekends, but aside from locals, even foreigners make it a point to stop by here as part of their itinerary for the city. Like all iconic restaurants, the ambience here is very simple and they have even added an outdoor sitting area as the crowds here have only been increasing over the years. If you have that penchant for South Indian dishes Vaishali, you can't miss their Idli Wada, a subtly flavoured rice cake made from grains and lentils, that is partnered with tasty sambar. Also worth trying is their Mysore Masala Dosa, a delectable crispy on the outside yet soft on the inside, filled with delicious potato and garlic fillings inside. With a siding of coconut chutney, this is the perfect meal to end your sightseeing trip on Pune. As is customary to the southern part of the country, you can wash down these heavy meals with their Coffee, which can help in reducing the heavy feeling after eating. Cuisine/s - South Indian Must Try Dishes - Idli Wada, Mysore Masala Dosa and Coffee (Beverage) Address - No. 917, Fergusson College Road, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune, Maharashtra 411004, India Contact Number - +91 20 2553 1244 3. Shahji's Parantha House - Shahji's Parantha House was established by Jaideep Manchanda in Pune. The restaurant has two branches, one in Raviwar Peth and the other in Apte Road. Of the two, the former is the higher rated branch though the ambience is more basic. With diner-like sitting areas and just about ample spaces, the owner, Jaideep Manchanda wanted to revolutionise the dhaba-style of eateries in the region. With more emphasis given on hygiene and food quality, this is your next best option for dhaba-like settings in Pune. Their menu isn't that extensive but covers lots of varieties of paranthas on it. One of their best-seller parathas is the Papad Paratha, which is stuffed with crushed papadums and served with a siding of chutney. The Dilliwala Paratha with its assortment of veggie stuffings would certainly delight the pure vegetarians. They also have a variety of complete meals in the form of thalis like Shahji's Special Thali and Tandoori Lachha Paratha Thali. This restaurant best embodies the philosophy that eating healthy doesn't have to be unappetising or not drool worthy. Cuisine/s - North Indian Must Try Dishes - Papad Paratha, Dilliwala Paratha, Shahji's Special Thali and Tandoori Lachha Paratha Thali Address - No. 5, Devang Apartments, 1036, Laxmi Road, Raviwar Peth, Pune, Maharashtra 411002, India Contact Number - +91 20 2447 7810 Shahji's Tandoori Lachha Paratha Thali (Image from Food for Thought) 4. Khalsa Pure Veg - This unassuming restaurant in Khadki is another gem of the city. Noteworthy of mentioning is that this is just a small restaurant with limited sitting areas. The ambience is very simple, no frills, no luxuries. But for the certified foodies, especially the vegetarians, you'd enjoy the scrumptious North Indian dishes in offer here. For light snacks or meals, their best-seller dish Soya Chaap is a must try. It's so indulgently good that it won't seem like a vegetarian dish. The flavours of the dish comes out with every bite of the soft soya. The Cheese Paratha here is also delicious, especially with the creamy cheese filling that goes well with the crunchy texture of the bread. Also worth mentioning is the Malai Paneer Tikka, which is very creamy, with soft and tender paneer pieces that makes for a heavenly affair with your taste buds. The best part? For less than Rs. 400 per two persons, you can have your tummy satisfied here. Cuisine/s - North Indian Must Try Dishes - Soya Chaap, Cheese Paratha and Malai Paneer Tikka Address - No. 491, Elphinston Road, Khadki, Pune, Maharashtra 411003, India Contact Number - +91 97 6265 1665 5. Idlicious - This is yet another simple restaurant located in Baner in Pune. The ambience is cozy and homely with the bright walls and wooden furnitures. There's also an outdoor sitting area with rock edifices on its walls. Their menu isn't as extensive but has the usual fares from the South Indian cuisine like dosas, idlis and uthappams. Do try their Rawa Masala Dosa, a more crips dosa made from rawa or semolina flour instead of the usual rice flour. This dosa, with its potato filling and sidings of chutney or sambar, is an ideal breakfast or snack meal. For the pure vegetarians, take a bite of their Tomato Uthappam, which is a thicker version of dosa topped with slices of tomatoes. The classic dish of Pongal Wada, with its healthy variations of lentil and rice, is the perfect comfort meal. You can opt to wash down the meals with their Filter Coffee or creamy Butter Milk. Cuisine/s - South Indian Must Try Dishes - Rawa Masala Dosa, Tomato Uthappam, Pongal Wada, Filter Coffee (Beverage) and Butter Milk (Beverage) Address - Samarth Villa, Opposite Shroff House, PK Shroff Marg, Pancard Clubs Road, Baner, Pune Contact Number - +91 99 2375 7372 Idlicious (Image from Nandita) 6. Sukanta - When it comes to ambience, Sukanta marvels in its Rajasthani inspired interiors. The overhanging chandeliers, the traditional Rajasthani paintings and the ancient weaponries on display would take you back to the bygone era. The menu of the restaurant is very extensive but they only offer one type of meal, that is the Vegetarian Thali. Their thali is comprised of chats, farsans, sabzis, rice, dal, kadhis, sweets and rothis. For each dish, they have a variety that you can choose from and the best part is that the serving is unlimited. If ever you're a bit confused about what to choose from the variety of dishes, do try their Punjabi Samosa, a delectable samosa filled with potatoes and peas. Their Kachori Chat is also a highly praised dish, especially with its array of flavours that just satisfies the palate. Their Aamras, or simple mango pulp, is a refreshing sweet dish best eaten during the summer season, it goes great with chapatis. Cuisine/s - North Indian, Gujarati and Maharashtrian Must Try Dishes - Vegetarian Thali and Aamras Address - Pulachi Wadi, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune, Maharashtra 411004, India Contact Number - +91 86 9877 3875 7. Ram Krishna - Ram Krishna is located in Moledina Road in Pune. It has an elegant but simple ambience, with the regal furnitures and brick-like interiors. It is a popular restaurant amongst families because of its hygienic appeal and vibe. However, being a known restaurant in the city, waiting time can be as long as an hour here especially during weekends. The menu is very extensive comprising of Punjabi dishes, South Indian dishes and a few Chinese dishes. For starters, you can try their Cheese Garlic Naan, a flatbread with balanced flavours of both cheese and garlic. The naan was roasted in perfect texture and the soothing flavours of the cheese plus garlic add some taste to the otherwise bland bread. Their Paneer Makhanwala is outstanding, a unique but balanced mixture of an array of flavours, sweet, tangy and spicy, yet another must-try dish here. For their Chinese dishes, do try the Veg Lollipop, which looks like chicken but is actually a mixture of potatoes, green peas and other spices, it makes for a good main dish. Cuisine/s - North Indian, South Indian and Chinese Must Try Dishes - Cheese Garlic Naan, Paneer Makhanwala and Veg Lollipop Address - No. 6, Moledina Road, Opposite Westend Theatre, Camp Cantonment, Pune, Maharashtra 411001, India Contact Number - +91 20 2636 3936 8. Shabree - Shabree is located at the Parichay Hotel in the Fergusson College (FC) Road in Pune. This restaurant is best known for its authentic Maharashtrian Thali that has pure vegetarian dishes. The ambience of the restaurant is more formal, especially with the white-washed walls and wooden furnitures. The menu is limited to the Maharashtrian Thali though you have a variety of options for each dish. Each thali is comprised of vegetables, farsans, breads, rice, desserts and sidings. The thali costs just Rs. 350 per head and truly a value for your money. While the thali is undeniably delicious in all aspects, some dishes do stand out. There's the Bhakri, a coarse bread similar to rotis but has its roots in the Maharashtrian cuisine. When paired with the Lasun Chutney, the bread becomes even more delectable. The Koshimbir, a salad made from cucumbers, peanuts and other spices make for a great palate starter. Also worth trying out is their Kadhi, a mixture of yummy veggies on a salty curd gravy. For desserts, their Jalebis and Fruit Salad are also scrumptious, the best sweet ending to your culinary Maharashtrian journey. Cuisine/s - Maharashtrian Must Try Dishes - Maharashtrian Thali Address - Fergusson College Road, Near Deendayal Hospital, Tukaram Paduka Chowk, Shivajinagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411004, India Contact Number - +91 20 2553 1511 Shabree Maharashtrian Thali (Image from Samosa Rider) 9. Sante Spa Cuisine - As we're coming to the end of our list, we highlight two more restaurants serving pure vegetarian dishes in Pune, but this time of the international cuisine variety. First up is the Sante Spa Cuisine, located in Koregaon Park in Pune. The restaurant has a light and airy ambience, with an indoor sitting area and an outdoor sitting area. The indoor sitting area has white-washed walls with overhanging lamps from the ceilings. The outdoor sitting area has the same white motif but surrounded by verdant greenery instead. With a healthy assortment of favourite Indian breads and even Italian staples such as pizzas and pastas, this is the best health gourmet restaurant in the city. That's not all, they provide for twists on classic dishes like the Whole Wheat Spaghetti Kale Pesto, wherein whole wheat is used instead of the usual pasta in restaurants and veggies are the accompaniments instead of meats. The Pizza Ratatouille with tomatoes, zucchinis, eggplants and tofu are sure to delight the pure vegetarians out there. Dessert, you say? They have the delectable Beetroot Sorbet or even the guilt-free Low Fat Raspberry Cheesecake. Cuisine/s - Indian and Continental Must Try Dishes - Whole Wheat Spaghetti Kale Pesto, Pizza Ratatouille, Beetroot Sorbet and Low Fat Raspberry Cheesecake Address - Sunderban Resorts, Next to Osho International, Lane 1, Koregaon Park, Pune, Maharashtra 411001, India Contact Number - +91 20 6520 2050 10. Dario's - Last on this list is Dario's, another international cuisine restaurant in Koregaon Park in Pune. The ambience of the restaurant is very calm and serene, especially with the outdoor sitting area wherein lots of plants and trees would surround you. Dario's is a household name in Pune when it comes to pure vegetarian dishes of the Italian cuisine. The menu is extensive covering sandwiches, salads, burgers, soups, pastas, risottos, pizzas and more. Craving for something different? Try out their Fusilli Vitale, a mildly spicy pasta dish with tomatoes and mushrooms that is sure to change your mind about the notion that being vegetarian means compromising on bland tastes and dishes. The speciality Dario's Pizza is another must try, with an assortment of veggies like corn, eggplant, potatoes and more, this is the best alternative pizza for those in a diet. The indulging Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake is made of tofu, cashew and almond, but tastes as delicious, if not more, than the regular cheesecakes. Cuisine/s - Italian Must Try Dishes - Fusilli Vitale, Dario's Pizza and Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake Address - Lane 1, No. 19, Vasani Nagar, Koregaon Park, Pune, Maharashtra 411001, India Contact Number - +91 20 2605 3596 Dario's Insalata Sant Agata (Image from Sonali) Conclusion For the vegetarians out there worrying about their dining options in Pune, fret not, because you have a wide array of choices for dining here. The vegetarian restaurants mentioned above are the best rated ones on the city. You can choose from either North Indian or South Indian restaurants. There are even a few international cuisine restaurants mentioned in the list. Indulge in the very best of local cuisine or maybe try out new meals instead. Whatever you choose, you're bound to enjoy your foodie experience in the city of Pune, because you're not limited to just a few vegetarian options here. I hope this helps you!
There is a vegetarian restaurant in one mall here. The name is Bodhi. I sometimes eat there. I like their barbecue on the stick although I know that it's soy bean meat. But someone told me that in India, the vegetarian food are not synthetic. They are reall veggies. I remember when we were in Singapore for a city tour, we stopped by the big Ferris Wheel called Singapore Flyer. There was this Indian snack bar where we bought breakfast. The bread was different but it tasted good. I just don't remember the name. And I like to taste their fresh vegetable salad. It looks like the one in the picture above this post.
