165 Years & Counting: This Is Why We Still Love Pune's Oldest Dessert Parlour, Ganu Shinde

High-end dessert parlours will come and go, but nothing in this world can beat the nostalgia and the creamy mango ice cream at Pune’s 165-year-old dessert joint, Ganu Shinde, opposite Kirti Sari Shop at Narayan Peth.

Bare bones and humble, this tiny dessert parlour with a couple of unkempt wooden chairs and tables, is an adobe of millions of memory and delectable desserts. It is almost like a Puneri tradition. You come for shopping at Laxmi Road and by the end, head to Ganu Shinde for a refreshing scoop of strawberry or chocolate ice cream! The ice cream that used to cost less than 50 paisa decades ago, is now priced at INR 40. However, there is no change in the flavour or the quality whatsoever. We have always been in love with Ganu Shinde’s classic amba {mango} ice cream, and we highly recommend you try it. Don’t leave the place without trying the pista, jambhul and the sitaphal ice cream for INR 40. If you are not in a mood for ice cream, try their special dry fruit mastani for INR 110 and the rose milkshake for INR 50.

Ganu Shinde is simple and very enjoyable in its own little ways. Of course, it doesn’t feature an array of flavours as versus to its competitors, because honestly, after a century, it doesn’t need to. Eating a scoop of ice cream out here is like almost going back in time. Also, the owner, who’s probably over 80 years old herself, has the best stories to share! So, the next time you are at Laxmi Road, stop by at Ganu Shinde and strike up a conversation with her…trust us, she’s an absolute delight.