We love our grills and sushis, but every once in a while our soul craves the comfort of some real desi khana; that melting butter on dal tadka, that desi ghee loaded parantha, a spicy plate of Kolhapuri chicken... we're already drooling.
Here's a list of the best dhabas in Pune for whenever you're in the mood to dig into desi khaana.
Good News Dhaba in Creaticity Mall has prices and food that are definitely a good news to anyone's wallet. We’re huge fans of the food and hospitality, and their alcohol deals win them extra brownie points. This place is family-friendly too, and great for dinner parties with large groups. Everything on their menu is delish, but the butter chicken and langar wali dal are our favourites. The quirky ambiance makes for some good pictures for Instagram too.
A meal for two here will set you back INR 1,300 and a pint of beer is priced at INR 165. They also have live entertainment, karaoke, live sports screenings and free WiFi.
This is a popular rooftop dhaba in Pimple Saudagar, Rangla Punjab serves some of the most soul comforting Punjabi food in the neighbourhood. It boasts of a spacious, quirky ambiance. The patrons swear by the tandoori dishes. And, they're open till pretty late so you can grab some meaty gravies and hot naans. We recommend a glass of their Patiyala lassi and definitely try their jalebi for dessert. To eat, order up the dal makhani, butter chicken, tandoori chicken and honey chilli potatoes.
A meal for two here will cost about INR 1,000 and a pint of beer is priced at INR 199.
Located in Pimpri Chinchwad and on East Street in Camp, Tim Luck Luck is one Punjabi dhaba you shouldn't miss. We’re huge fans of the quirky, colourful ambiance. The seating arrangement here also reminds you of an actual dhaba up north in Punjab, and the food here completes the picture. They have comfort food in the form of Punjabi and Indian-Chinese dishes, a formula that never goes wrong with beer. Order their makke ki roti, tandoori chicken, dal makhani, cheese garlic naan, biryani and those lovely meaty gravies. And to satiate that sweet tooth, how can you not have a glass of lassi and end your meal with rabri jalebi.
A meal for two will cost you INR 1,000 and a pint of beer is for INR 210 here.
Yaara Di Haaveli might not be as authentic as a real dhaba, but the food makes up for it. It’s family friendly, and offers mouth-watering Chinese and Punjabi preparations. You need to go here if you love digging into chicken gravies with hot, buttery garlic naans; try their nalli ka shorba, paneer makai tikki, murg tikka chaat, dum ka murg, dhingri dolma, and more.
A meal for two here approximately costs INR 1,000 and the restaurant has free parking. We recommend making a reservation before you go.
Dhaba Estd 1986 Delhi is located inside the swanky Pavillion Mall. With desi vibes, delicious kebabs, tikkas and other Punjabi food, this one makes for a fun dining experience with a large group. They are faily modern and offer tharra mocktails and cocktails, Dilli-style food and have great happy hours too from 12 pm to 8pm, which offers 1 + 1 on IMFL and their signature tharra cocktails. Definitely dig into their butter chicken, dal makhani, galauti kebab, garlic naan and gulab jamun and lassi.
A meal for two here is priced at INR 1,800 and a pint of beer is for INR 199. From Monday to Friday, the restaurant offers a lunch buffet from 12pm to 4pm. The vegetarian buffer is for INR 599 and the non-vegetarian buffet is priced at INR 649
A tiny establishment on Dhole Patil Road, Nandu's Dhaba dishes out some of the most soul comforting food we’ve grown to love over the years. The vegetarian eatery has outdoor seating mostly and is simple with wooden tables and plastic chairs. If you don't want to spend much, it's a great idea to eat here. And, you'll get great food, we promise. Visit for desi-ghee soaked paranthas, pav bhaji, rajma chawal or even kadhi chawal. We recommend you hop in here for lunch if you're ever in the neighbourhood.
A meal for two here is INR 400, and it's a nice spot to grab a aloo or gobi paratha for breakfast here too.
We know several Punekars take a trip to Nigdi just to eat here; because truth is, we're guilty of it too. Baba Ramdev Dhaba has no relation with the yoga guru. But, it's a paradise for vegetarian food lovers, and serves one of the best daal baati churma plates you'll ever find in Pune. The menu is full of Rajasthani and North Indian food preparations. The popular items that you must order here include daal baati churma obviously, and the dahi wada. We also recommend the chanch, gatte ki subzi, bhindi dahi wali, lasun kanda sabzi, Rajasthani paneer, pahadi alu. Eating here is a Puneri experience that you must undertake at some point.
A meal for two will cost you INR 400 only.
This new dhaba-style restaurant on Baner Road has been creating a lot of buzz and is worth all of it. Ya Basa - The Dhaba is a lovely mix of North Indian and Maharashtrian menu (just like the name). With colourful decor and very friendly service, Ya Basa serves up some of your classic dhaba preparations along with authentic Maharashtrian food. Try their mutton and chicken gravies, especially their butter chicken, surmai curry and their kebabs. You can mix it up by eating a North Indian gravy with appe. But, they pride themselves over their seafood preparations.
'A meal for two will cost you INR 1,000. The restaurant has free parking.