Pune is a beautiful city rich in history. This city is a
perfect balance of history and technology that makes it so special. Casual
conversations, comfortable climate and a laid back ambiance are so addictive
that it will keep you coming back to the city again and again. So while you are
in Pune enjoy the city, lounge, eat and have fun like the locals. Here is a
list of top 20 affordable restaurants in Pune that are the local favourites
that will leave a lasting impression in your mind. (In no particular order)
1. Vaishali, FC Road
This is an
absolute favourite dining place for the residents of Pune. This 50 year old
restaurant is still as much a crowd puller as it was back in the days. Being
considered as one of the heritages of Pune, Vaishali is crowded 24/7, 365 days
a year. The quality and the taste of the food served here have remained
consistent since forever. With humble ambiance this place keeps pulling its
patrons back to itself just by the magnificent food they serve. Mysore masala
dosa, Sev-puri, Vaishali special dosa, Dahi-vada come highly recommended here.
Type: Casual Dining,
Cuisines: South Indian, Street
Food, Fast Food
Opening hours: 7 AM to 11 PM
Cost: Rs 500 for two people
(approx.) Cash only
2. Hyderabad House, Hinjewadi
Don’t let the modes appearance of the place fool you. Hyderabad house is THE
place for hyderabadi cuisine. Although their eateries do not promise a plush
experience but the food this place dishes up is absolutely lip smacking. If you
are looking for an affordable place to enjoy food that will put a huge grin on
your face then Hyderabad House is the place for you. The chicken and mutton dum
biryani come highly recommended here.
Type: Casual Dining,
Cuisines: Biryani, North
Indian, Mughlai, Chinese
Opening hours: 12 Noon to 11 PM
Cost: Rs. 550 for two people
(approx.) Cash, Cards and Meal Coupons accepted
3. Sukanta, Deccan Gymkhana
Tucked in a corner of the JM Road this restaurant is a local
favourite for Rajasthani/Marwari food. With the opulent and gorgeous ambiance
this place will surely blow your mind away. This place will absolutely
transport you to the beautiful land of Rajasthan with everything from food and
with every little detail in its ambiance. Even the carvings on the chairs give
a glimpse of Rajasthan. Food here is mind-blowing! Their Rajasthani and Marwari
thalis are famous and are craved for. The service here is polite and courteous.
Type: Casual Dining,
Cuisines: Gujarati, North
Indian, Maharashtrian
Opening hours: 11:30 AM to 3
PM, 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Cost: Rs. 500 for two people
(approx.), Cash and Cards accepted
4. Shabree Restaurant, FC Road
Located right on the FC road this place is quite a landmark in Pune. With an
ambiance that is beautifully Maharashtrian, they serve delicious food that is
authentically Maharashtrian. The have both AC and Non Ac sitting arrangements
catering to all kinds of patrons. They have very efficient and courteous staffs
that don’t take too much time to assemble this mouth-watering food to be served
to you. This place gives you a choice of lip smacking Maharashtrian thalis to
choose from. One of the best Thali restaurants in Pune.
Highly recommended from the menu is the unlimited thali typically includes;
Aaluchi bhaji, matki usal, zunka, katachi amti, kadi gole, masala bhaat,
chapati, puran poli, dahi, taak etc… The food here is amazing and the flavours
authentic.
Type: Casual Dining,
Cuisines: Maharashtrian, South
Indian
Opening hours: 11:30 AM to 3:30
PM, 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Cost: Rs. 800 for two people
(approx.) Cash and Cards accepted
5. I’m Lion, Strictly Non-Veg, Bavdhan
Don’t you love it when you come out of a food joint with a tummy full and
happy pocket? Well I’m Lion is just such a place. This place has amazing food
which definitely deserves a place in this list. Their sea food is the best in
town. Although with a very humble ambiance with only 6-7 small tables, once you
start eating you really won’t care. The service is quick and most often the
owner personally caters to all the tables and personally takes most of the
order after guiding you through your orders. The food here is absolutely
heavenly! This place is reasonably prices and a must visit for everyone in
Pune,Bombil Fry, Surmai fry, Surmai curry, neer dosas and chicken biryani are
recommended and are an absolute must try at this place.
Type: Casual Dining,
Cuisines: Mangalorean, Goan,
Seafood
Opening hours: 12 Noon to 3 PM,
7 PM to 11 PM (Thursdays closed)
Cost: Rs. 550 for two people
(approx.)
6. PapaJee’s, Chinchwad
If you are craving for a taste of authentic Punjabi food in Pune then
Papajee’s is THE place for you. Papajee’s reputation as a place for authentic
Punjabi food is spread all over Pune. With none of the flamboyance that is so
typical of anything Punjabi, this quiet unassuming place serves the best food in
town! Their lip smacking food that reminds you of home keeps pulling people
from far and wide. Papajee’s laccha paranthas, bharvi tangri, butter chicken,
Gobi-gajar, achaar de kabab, gajar ka halwa are a few recommended dishes.
Though every dish here is equally a delight! The hosts are loving and gracious,
servers are humble and polite and the joint is extremely clean.
Type: Casual Dining,
Cuisines: North Indian, Chinese
Opening hours: 1 PM to 12
Midnight
Cost: Rs. 900 for two people
(approx.).Cash and Cards accepted
7. Wholly Crêpes, Model Colony
This quaint little place is as beautifully decorated as is delicious their
food is. This place will astound you with its carefully decorated ambiance and
food that is clearly made from the heart. The beautiful leitmotifs on the main
entrance wall as well as on the tables, monochromatic, hand painted walls with
the ol’ Paree theme are quiet warm and welcoming. Every little detail here are
carefully put together to take its patrons on a journey to France. The lovely
French music playing in the background in an unobtrusive way take your whole
experience to a new height altogether. The staffs here are extremely polite and
humble and the owner herself helps you choose your order. Food here is
absolutely lip-smacking! As the name suggests, only crepes are on the menu
here. The crepes come here with a salad and each crepe has a distinct
personality of its own. Highly recommended here is the Galette which is to die
for. Service here is fast and efficient.
Type: Casual Dining,
Cuisines: French, Cafe
Opening hours: 6 PM to 11 PM
Cost: Rs. 800 for two people
(approx.)
8. R Bhagat Tarachand, Off Budhwar Peth
R Bhagat Tarachand, originally from Mumbai, is one of the oldest restaurants
in the city that serves tasty, delicious food. The location of this place keeps
its entrance always crowded which makes parking for 4-wheelers a real headache
here. The restaurant has a decent ambiance with wooden furniture and ethnic
décor. The place is always crowded and weekends can be worse so come prepared.
Service here is quick and efficient; Food is absolutely delicious and is an
absolute delight to taste buds. Food here is made of pure ghee and is quiet
satisfyingly filling. This place is reasonably priced and food here is worth
every penny. Dal Double Fry, Chaanch, Papad Churi and Paneer Butter Masala with
Butter Roti’s and their veg thalis come highly recommended.
Type: Casual Dining,
Cuisines: North Indian,
Mughlai, Rajasthani
Opening hours: 11 AM to 4 PM, 7
PM to 11 PM
Cost: Rs. 500 for two people
(approx.) Cash and Cards accepted
9. Perks N Brews, Viman Nagar
This quaint little joint is easy to miss. The first thing that will catch
your fancy when you enter this place is the old-world charm of this place. With
books and notes sprinkled all over the place, song lyrics and titles written on
the wall, hand-made graffiti on the panels and the soft music playing in the
background gives this place a distinct and warm character to itself that will
force you to come back again and again. The coffee here will give the giant
café s a run for its money any day. You can grab a book kept in the café take a
seat and enjoy your book with a steaming cup of coffee. If that’s not heaven
what is? The food here is absolutely stunning and will leave a lasting imprint
in your mind. The tasty tit bits available here ranging from pastas to pizzas
to salads and garlic bread will leave you well fed and satisfied. Bbq Chicken
Pizza, Mojito, Classic Caesar Salad, Angry Bird, Chocolate Overload, Cafe Roya
come recommended here.
Type: Café, Quick Bites
Cuisines: Cafe, Fast Food,
Italian
Opening hours: 10 AM to 11:30
PM
Cost: Rs. 500 for two people
(approx.). Cash and Cards accepted
10. Chung Fa, Camp
Chung Fa is another iconic establishment in Pune’s culinary scene. This
place serves the best Indian Chinese food in the city. This place does not
boast of a very elaborate sitting arrangement but is huge on flavours and is
one of the best Indian Chinese restaurants in Pune. The place with its cute
décor gives the feel of China town to its patrons. Though a tad heavy on the
food they offer is worth every dime! This is just the place to dine with your
family or your group of friends. The chicken here is lip-smacking and their
fried rice is an absolute wonder! Roasted Chicken Chilli, Chicken-coriander
Soup, Prawns Spring Rolls, Chilly Chicken, Fried Spring Chicken are highly
recommended here. Weekends can be quiet crowded so booking tables ahead of time
would be a good idea.
Type: Casual Dining
Cuisines: Chinese
Opening hours: 12 Noon to 3 PM,
7 PM to 11 PM
Cost: Rs. 800 for two people
(approx.) Cash, Cards and Meal Coupons accepted
11. Central Perk 7, Baner Pashan Link Road
With a very cosy ambiance with the F.R.I.E.N.D.S theme and lovely music,
this place is a must visit joint in the city. This place serves the best
barbeque and sizzlers anywhere in the city. The ambiance here is extremely
lively, fun and peppy with an open barbeque pit where food is cooked in plain
view. The service here is warm but it can take up to 30 minutes for your order
to get grilled and cooked in front of you so be prepared for the wait. The food
here is absolutely awesome and worth every penny. It is an absolute must try
place for barbeque and steak lovers. Chicken steak, the coleslaw, boiled potato
with shredded cheese and sizzlers are recommended for this place.
Type: Casual Dining
Cuisines: Cafe, Fast Food,
Steakhouse
Opening hours: 11 AM to 11 PM
Cost: Rs. 700 for two people
(approx.) Cash and Cards accepted
12. Tiranga Non Veg, Kothrud
This small outlet with about 10-12 tables, serves the most amazing food in
the city. The ambiance here is very humble and basic but the food here is
anything but. Tiranga is a legacy which is being carried forward for
generations. This place has been awarded the best Biriyani place by zomato and
red FM contest. The menu here is famous for its traditional Biryanis. The
perfect balance of flavours and aromatic dishes from here will keep your mouth
shut till you lick every finger. If you are a biryani lover then this is definitely
THE place for you! The other dishes on the menu here are equally scrumptious.
Service here is fast and quick. Booking ahead for a table on weekends is a good
idea as it can get really crowded on the weekends.
Type: Casual Dining
Cuisines: Maharashtrian, North
Indian
Opening hours: 11 AM to 4 PM, 7
PM to 11 PM
Cost: Rs. 600 for two people
(approx.) Cash, Cards and Meal Coupons accepted
13. Cream Centre, Viman Nagar
Finally a place that is heaven for vegetarians! Cream centre is a restraint
chain from Mumbai’s Marine drive. With an ambiance that’s so humble and cosy
that it gives a feeling of bliss the moment you walk in. with puzzles on your
tables and soft music playing around and the quiet unassuming décor you are
guaranteed to have a good time here. Their Signature dish is Chola Bhatura
& Channa Bhatura and both the dishes are authentic in their flavours. They
also serve thalis, nachos, tacos and Italian dishes. Highly recommended are,
Channa Bhatura, Nachos, American corn cheese balls, Onion rings, Spring
Vegetable (Soup),Original Tandoori Paneer Tikka, Bambaiya ragada (Chaat),
Italian Baked Sizzler, Paneer Ka Baap Sizzler, Refried Beans & Cheese
Enchiladas & Penne Al Forno. This place is an absolute delight for
vegetarians and definitely among one of the best restaurants in Pune.
Type: Casual Dining
Cuisines: Mexican, North
Indian, Italian, Fast Food
Opening hours: 11 AM to 11 PM
Cost: Rs. 700 for two people
(approx.) Cash and Cards accepted
14. Delhi Downtown, Model Colony
This place is very true to its name and serves authentic flavours of Delhi.
The terrace sitting arrangement here is much better than the indoor sitting and
is actually quite a unique experience. This place serves tasty food that is
very pocket friendly. If you are a craving for delightful north Indian food
then this is just the place for you. Tandoori kebabs and butter chicken here
are absolutely to die for! Recommended here are; Tawa Chicken, Dal Makhani,
Butter Chicken, Chicken Kadhai, Chicken Lollypop.
Type: Casual Dining
Cuisines: North Indian, Chinese
Opening hours: 12:30 PM to 11 PM
Cost: Rs. 500 for two people (approx.) Cash and Cards accepted
15. Crazy Noodles, Viman Nagar
Anything with the word “crazy” in their name is a must visit. This place
with its green and pink interiors is inviting and absolutely lives up to its
name! With their crazy wobbling glasses to their unique menu this place is
surely going to engage you and ensure you enjoy every bit of your time that you
spend here. You even get a puzzle to solve while you wait for your food and
solving it will win you a free iced tea! The food here is simply delicious and
lip smacking! Must try the MONEY BAGS, these chocolate stuffed pastry money
bags are absolutely sinful! This place serves the most mouth-watering noodles
you’ll ever taste. The portions are generous. The staffs here are extremely
friendly and highly efficient.
Type: Casual Dining
Cuisines: Chinese, Thai, Japanese
Opening hours: 12 Noon to 11 PM
Cost: Rs. 900 for two people (approx.) Cash and Cards accepted
16. German Bakery, Koregaon Park
If you are looking for a place to hang around with your friends or family
and enjoy some mouth-watering snacks then this is just the place for you. The
décor of this place is very artsy and colourful that makes it a perfect hangout
place. Food here is amazing and will force you to hog on. Service is quick,
attentive and friendly and is reasonably priced for the quality and amount of
food they serve. Red Velvet Cake, Kheema Pav, Jerk Chicken, Mango Cheese
Cakeare are must try dishes here.
Type: Café, Quick Bites
Cuisines: Bakery, German, Italian, Cafe
Opening hours: 7:45 AM to 11:45 PM
Cost: Rs. 600 for two people (approx.)
17. Malwani Naka, Kothrud
This is a small place that is quiet easy to miss. It might look a little
disappointing from the outside but the food here is quiet awesome. Malwani naka
is one of those no frills impressive places which is worth a try. The service
here is lightning quick and price reasonable. Recommendation: Solkadhi, Fish
Patra, Bhakris.
Type: Casual Dining
Cuisines: Seafood, Malwani, Goan, Konkani
Opening hours: 11:30 AM to 4 PM, 7:30 PM to 11 PM
Cost: Rs. 500 for two people (approx.)
18. Pagdandi Books Chai Cafe, Baner
An amazingly brilliant idea of putting food and books together. If you are a
book lover, you love to eat, and you love to eat while reading a book then this
is your dream place! A very interesting and adorable place where you can sip a
cuppa while reading your favourite book. The place makes you feel like you are
you’re your kitchen cosy with your favourite kitchen. Apart from the ambiance,
the food is also fascinating here. Service is efficient and very friendly.
Type: Café
Cuisines: Cafe, Bakery, Fast Food, Juices
Opening hours: 10 AM to 11 PM
Cost: Rs. 500 for two people (approx.) Cash and Cards accepted
19. Le Plaisir Patisserie & Bistro, Deccan Gymkhana
This cute little joint is neatly tucked away in Bhandarkar road quiet like
the hidden gem that it is. This place with a funky décor can only sit 15-20
people at once. Their menu offers a variety of soups, salads, pastas, crepes
and what not. You can even find blissful cheesecakes and Macaroons which are
extremely recommended and a must try here. Service here is good and fast.
Type: Casual Dining
Cuisines: Cafe, Bakery, Desserts, European
Opening hours: 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Cost: Rs. 600 for two people (approx.) Cash and Cards accepted
20. Thank God For Pizzas, Pradhikaran
No restaurant list is complete without a good pizza place on the list right?
Thank God for Pizzas just wins the cake here. Their pizzas have an attitude and
are not afraid to make a statement. Their pizza is better than most of the
expensive joints and yet they are reasonably priced. They have a lovely menu
which has cup pizza, sides and Pizzas. Visit this place and you just won’t be
able to resist those mouth-watering slippery, slurpy, tasty, tangy, chicken
pieces of pizza.
Type: Casual Dining
Cuisines: Pizza, Fast Food
Opening hours: 11 AM to 10:30 PM
Cost: Rs. 650 for two people (approx.) Cash, Cards and Meal
Coupons accepted
So enjoy a sumptuous meal alone or with family and friends in Pune. Bon
Appétit!