A balance of crisp, crunchy, and smooth textures is what defines the cuisine of this beautiful state. We are absolutely here to talk about the famous food of Maharashtra that melts the hearts of travellers. The state is spread across different landscapes; thereby, the flavours keep changing with every city you go to! While the metro cities are more about combinations with pav, the Konkan area is dominated by seafood.
The famous dish of Maharashtra cannot be just one! While Satara lets you dive into the vaingan-bhakri delicacy, Kolhapur invites you for a spicy chicken meal. It is the blend of vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods that helps you choose the best as per your taste buds. As we embrace the journey of tantalising flavours, let’s look at traditional and modern Maharashtrian dishes.
Famous Food of Maharashtra: 20 Mouth-Watering Dishes to Check Out
1. Vada Pav
If you ever travel to one of the cities in Maharashtra, you cannot go home without tasting Vada Pav! It is a go-to snack for people throughout the day. Delicious potatoes are mixed with a plethora of spices.
They are then covered with gram flour and deep-fried. A combination of chutneys with tangy, spicy and sweet flavours is then applied on pav (bread). You can find this dish in multiple ways where the ingredients and the cooking style differ.
2. Misal Pav
The word zanzanit (super spicy) is associated with this famous food of Maharashtra. Misal Pav is a highly recommended dish to try on your trip. The misal is made with a fusion of different lentils soaked in hot water.
They are then cooked with garlic, tomatoes, onions, green chillies and pungent spices. It is often topped with crunchy snacks (sev and gathiya) for just the right blend of textures in every bite. Paired with pav, they sure create a blast of flavours!
3. Pav Bhaji
How can you even claim to have travelled to Maharashtra without trying Pav Bhaji? It is indeed the famous food of Maharashtra with many versions. The bhaji is made with a mixture of potatoes, tomatoes, onions, peas and many spices.
It is paired with pav (bread) with a side of onions and lemon. This food dish receives immense popularity and love from locals. Every city has a different way and style of cooking Pav Bhaji owing to its versatility.
4. Puran Poli
If you crave something sweet, the state introduces you to Puran Poli. Being the famous food of Maharashtra, Puran Poli is consumed by people from all walks of life.
It is similar to a stuffed paratha where the stuffing is made with gram flour, jaggery and cardamom. Puran (stuffing) is then filled inside the dough (poli) and cooked with ghee. The outcome is often a delicious sweet dish cherished during lunch.
5. Sabudana Khichdi
Sabudana Khichdi is often consumed during the fasting process. However, this famous food of Maharashtra is also found on the streets and in small restaurants across the state. It is primarily made with sabudana (sago) by soaking them for 6-7 hours.
Sabudana is then cooked with potatoes, green chillies, crushed peanuts and curry leaves. Salt, sugar and a pinch of lemon are added to complete this comforting and famous dish of Maharashtra.
6. Poha
Poha is something that you commonly find on the streets as an early morning breakfast delicacy. This famous food of Maharashtra is paired with chutneys, jalebi or even ketchup. Every city has a different version of Poha owing to its flavoursome texture.
Flattened rice is basically cooked with onions, potatoes, curry leaves, peanuts and subtle spices. Kolhapuri poha is spicier as compared to other versions found in Mumbai, Nashik and Pune.
7. Kothimbir Vadi
The word Kothimbir in Marathi translates to coriander. You can obviously guess this famous food of Maharashtra which is all about fresh and green coriander! Kothimbir Vadi is made by mixing chopped coriander leaves with gram flour, garlic, spices and sesame seeds.
The batter is put into a dish and then steamed to perfection. After slicing into squares, the vadi is deep-fried to make it super crunchy. What a delicacy when paired with ketchup or chutney!
8. Varan Bhat
What better than comforting flavours that you just need after all the exploration! Varan Bhat is a staple yet famous food dish of Maharashtra. It is basically the combination of dal and rice, which is cooked in an authentic way.
The dal is made with the inclusion of subtle spices and tempering is often not needed. Varan is paired with bhat (rice) and topped with a dollop of ghee for a soothing meal.
9. Kanda Bhajji
Kanda bhajji is often available at vada pav stalls. Kanda (onions) are much loved in the state as they’re paired with multiple dishes.
Being the famous food of Maharashtra, it is cooked by mixing small onions with gram flour and spices. They are then deep-fried till the perfect crisp is acquired. It can either be paired with chutney or eaten just as it is.
10. Pithla Bhakri
Pithla Bhakri is yet another appetising food dish of Maharashtra known for its comforting flavours. Pithla is basically a gram flour curry made with onions, garlic, curry leaves, green chillies and the required spices.
The curry is paired with bhakri (flatbread), which is made with either jowar or bajra. Topped with coriander, the dish is known for its creamy texture and a soothing aroma. You can generally find this in Pune, Nagpur and smaller villages.
11. Modak
Modaks are specifically seen in most Ganpati pandals during the festival. The delicious sweet is a dumpling made in diverse versions. It is traditionally made with rice flour dough with a mixture of jaggery.
In modern times, modaks are made with flavours of chocolate, rose, paan and more. They can either be steamed, deep-fried or eaten in their raw form. Lastly, the modak is generally offered to Lord Ganesh, considering it to be his favourite delicacy.
12. Ragada Pattice
What a delight to try Ragada Pattice! It is a heavenly combination of sweet, spice and everything nice. Pattice is made with potatoes rolled into circles and then stir-fried for the perfect flavours.
Pattice is topped with ragada (chana) along with mint, tamarind and garlic chutneys. Onions and sev (crunchy snack) are added on the top for an extra crispy bite. Being the famous food of Maharashtra, you can find it in most of the cities.
13. Bombil
Popularly known as Bombay Duck Fry, Bombil is a scrumptious and famous food of Maharashtra. It is a coastal delicacy often found near the beaches in the state.
A type of lizardfish is marinated with ginger-garlic paste, chillies, salt and lemon. The fish is then coated with the mixture along with semolina and rice flour. As flavours immerse in the fish, it is shallow fried to perfection.
14. Bhelpuri
Bhelpuri is a signature snack in the state due to its versatile nature. It is basically the combination of puffed rice with onions, tomatoes, raw mangoes, chana dal and other crunchy snacks.
Beaches of Mumbai clearly boast of bhelpuri, as the snack is especially popular on sandy beaches. You can easily find different versions of this famous food of Maharashtra considering its accommodating nature. Garnished with coriander, lemon and chaat masala, you are certain to fall in love with it!
15. Basundi
Celebrations in the state remain incomplete without the goodness and richness of Basundi. This creamy dessert is just the ideal start or end of a meal. While some prefer the delicacy alongside meals, others enjoy it simply as a dessert.
Being the famous food of Maharashtra, it is made with milk, cardamom, sugar, saffron and crushed nuts. The thickened milk with wholesome flavours is enough to melt your heart. Basundi is especially served during festivals and parties as a symbol of sweet beginnings.
16. Kairi cha Panha
Kairi cha Panha is the perfect summer drink that you need for refreshing your soul. Being the famous dish of Maharashtra, this drink is made with raw mangoes.
They are initially boiled, peeled and the pulp is mixed with cardamom and jaggery. The mixture is then added to chilled water with a pinch of salt. That’s how you get the most delicious Kairi cha Panha to rejuvenate after a long day.
17. Thalipeeth
Get ready for an appetising dish that drools you into flavours. Thalipeeth is the famous food of Maharashtra made in an authentic way. It is basically a dough combined with freshly chopped onions, chillies, coriander, turmeric and salt.
The dough is then made into a flatbread with small holes in the middle. Next, it is cooked in a hot pan with a little oil for the right amount of flavours. And, you get the most delicious Thalipeeth for your lunch!
18. Kolhapuri Chicken
No traveller can ever deny the wholesome recipe of Kolhapuri Chicken. It is truly a loved and famous dish of Maharashtra. Known for its bold flavours, get ready for a spicy turn!
The chicken is often cooked with grated coconut, dry red chillies, black pepper, onions, tomatoes and other condiments. It is the Kolhapuri touch that adds to its uniqueness. You can enjoy it with bhakri or chapati as per your liking.
19. Sol Kadhi
You must have heard of various beverages, but Sol Kadhi is truly different! This famous dish of Maharashtra is made by soaking kokum, known for its tangy flavours. The soaked kokum is mixed with coconut milk for a creamy texture.
Interestingly, the mixture is complemented with cumin, green chilli and garlic. The combination of spices makes it a digestive beverage paired with meals or post-meals. Smooth texture of a chilled Sol Kadhi is the right way to enjoy the flavours of Maharashtra.
20. Amti
You must have heard of Amti as you think of famous food of Maharashtra. This comforting curry is cooked in most Maharashtrian houses for dinner. The lentil-based curry is specially prepared with tamarind and jaggery.
What makes it appetising is the presence of goda masala (a special blend of spices). The blend of sweet, sour and tangy adds to the uniqueness of this dish. It is tempered with various spices and curry leaves for a soul-healing meal.
Zanzanit Flavours Await Your Presence!
The top-rated famous food of Maharashtra clearly depends on the flavours and combination of spices you prefer. Now that you already know the wholesome preparations and the taste of dishes, it is time to explore them. It is best to visit one of the cities in Maharashtra to truly experience the amalgamation of masalas (spices). After all, every traveller loves exploring the culture that transcends places and adventure. It is totally the time for a food extravaganza!
