Top 7 Dishes from Maharashtra Cuisines You Must Try

Maharashtra is known for its rich and diverse culture, which is reflected in its cuisine as well. The traditional food of Maharashtra is a blend of different flavours, spices, and cooking techniques that have been passed down through generations. From spicy curries to sweet and mouth-watering desserts, the famous food items in Maharashtra are not only delicious but also steeped in history and tradition.

Maharashtrian cuisine has a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The cuisine is influenced by the state's geography, climate, and cultural diversity. The state has a long coastline along the Arabian Sea, and seafood dishes are a specialty in coastal regions like Konkan. Inland regions like Vidarbha are known for their spicier and tangier flavours, while the cuisine of Western Maharashtra uses peanuts, jaggery, and coconut in its dishes.

Also Read: 5 Easy and Delicious Maharashtrian Dishes to Try at Home

In this blog, we will take a closer look at some of the most popular Maharashtra authentic food. These dishes will surely take you on a journey to culinary heaven.   

• Vada Pav

• Misal

• Sol Kadhi

• Pithla Bhakri

• Aluchi vadi

• Modak

• Kothimbir Vadi 

Vada Pav

The best Maharashtra famous dish, Vada Pav satiates the tummies and hearts of thousands of Maharashtrians every day and has become an integral part of the state’s culinary culture.  

The dish, made of potato patty, mixed with different spices, is dipped in gram flour and deep fried. It is then served by placing it inside a bun or pav as the locals call it, laced with a dollop of dry, spicy garlic chutney or dry peanut chutney. Most locals enjoy vada pav with a side of fried and salted green chillies. A bite of vada pav and a bite of chilli, and you are sure to be in culinary heaven! 

Misal

The staple Maharashtrian dish originated in the Khandesh region of Western Maharashtra. One of the famous food items in Maharashtra, Misal is essentially a spicy curry or gravy made of lentils and is often served with pav.  

While the locals prefer to have it at breakfast, you can have it anytime of the day. You can mop off the spicy curry with a piece of pav and enjoy a hearty and fulfilling meal. There are different versions of the dish, and the difference lies in the spice levels and the use of pulses and lentils in the dish. The spice levels of the gravy or the Tari vary based on which part of the state you are in.  

The ‘Puneri’ misal is rated as the best version of the dish. But if you prefer a spicier version, you will enjoy having the ‘Kolhapuri’ misal. Spicy and greasy, Misal is everything that perfectly defines the goodness of Maharashtrian cuisine.  

Sol Kadhi

Maharashtra boasts a long coast that stretches from Mumbai to Goa along the Konkan region. Like any coastal region, Maharashtra is known for its delicious seafood dishes, from curries to the world famous Bombil (Bombay Duck) fry. But the one traditional dish of Maharashtra that captures the true essence of the state’s coastal flavours is the Sol Kadhi.  

A Maharashtra famous dish, Sol Kadhi is a refreshing and healthy beverage that is usually served as an appetiser. An integral part of the daily meals in the Konkan and Goan region, Sol Kadhi is made of fresh coconut milk and other indigenous ingredients like kokum, coriander, and green chillies.  

The beverage, as good as it tastes, also has a very attractive pink colour that is pleasing to the eye. But its true goodness lies in its various health benefits. It aids digestion and keeps the body cool. In a nutshell, Sol Kadhi is food for the soul! 

Also Read: Best Places to Have Maharashtrian Thali in Mumbai

Pithla Bhakri

When you talk about Maharashtra authentic food, nothing can be more traditional than Pithla Bhakri. A go-to comfort food for many locals, it is termed as the ‘farmer’s food.’ Having hot pithla with freshly made bhakri is the best comfort food you can have after a long and tiring day.  

A simple and uncomplicated dish, it is one of the best recipes you can try at home, especially when you don’t have vegetables or too many ingredients to prepare a full meal. Pithla has watery or sometimes semi-liquid consistency, and it is made of chickpea or gram flour, onions, coriander, chilli powder, and other spices as per taste.  

The farmers in the rural areas have pithla with Bajra or Jowar Bhakri. But you can also have it with wheat rotis or rice. The usual side dishes for pithla bhakri are raw onions, chilli and techa, a spicy dry chutney made of garlic and green chilli.  

Aluchi Vadi

A popular savoury vegetarian snack from the Malvan region of Maharashtra, Aluchi Vadi is every food lover’s delight. You must try this authentic food of Maharashtra! 

The basic ingredient of this dish is the Colocasia leaves. It is stuffed with a delicious mixture of gram flour, rice flour, jaggery, tamarind juice, and a plethora of spices. The leaves are then rolled up, sliced, and then steamed or fried. Both the variations taste equally good, but if you like to have healthy food, you can have the steamed vadi.  

But if you don’t mind putting on a few extra calories or you are on a cheat day, try the fried version and you cannot stop yourself from overstuffing, we bet! 

Modak

One of the most famous traditional food of Maharashtra, Modak is everyone’s favourite. It is a sweet dumpling with a filling of grated coconut and jaggery, and the outer part is made of rice flour, which has a soft and melt-in-your mouth texture as it is steamed. Some people also like it fried, but the most traditional and authentic version is the steamed one, which is a delight to eat. 

The modaks are usually made during Ganesh Chaturthi and are an integral part of the offerings made to Lord Ganesha. Legend has it that the ‘Elephant God’ loves Modak and it is one of his most favourite foods. No wonder, modaks have a Godly taste! 

Kothimbir Vadi

It is a crispy and savoury dish that is perfect for tea-time snacking or as an appetizer.

Kothimbir vadi is a Maharashtra famous dish made with coriander leaves, chickpea flour, and spices. The coriander leaves give the vadi a unique flavour and aroma, while the chickpea flour provides a crunchy texture. To prepare kothimbir vadi, the ingredients are mixed to form a dough, which is then steamed and sliced into bite-sized pieces. These pieces are then pan-fried until they turn golden brown and crispy. Kothimbir vadi is often served with spicy green chutney or tomato ketchup.

This snack is not only delicious but also healthy as it is rich in protein and other essential nutrients. Kothimbir vadi is a must-try snack for those who love savoury and flavourful dishes. 

Also Read: 8 Ugadi and Gudi Padwa Special Dishes You Can Try at Home

Enjoy Maharashtra authentic food at Club Mahindra resorts 

If you are travelling to Maharashtra for a family holiday, you can visit several places; from Alibaug to Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar to Nashik, there are plenty of choices. Wherever you go, to get the best experience of the local culture, sightseeing and cuisine, book your stay at Club Mahindra resorts.  

The resorts in Alibaug, Nashik, Mahabaleshwar, and Lonavala hosted by Club Mahindra are the most premium resorts in the region and boast a range of premium facilities that ensure you have a comfortable and the most relaxing holiday experience. Besides, these resorts also have a reputation for serving the best local dishes to the guests, prepared by expert chefs at Club Mahindra. From traditional Maharashtrian dishes to international cuisines, you can get the best dining experience during your stay at these resorts. Bon Appétit!