5 Best Places To Eat This Onam

Onam is the annual harvest festival celebrated in Kerala. It is a ten-days celebration full of festivities and incredible food. Kerala might be known for its meaty biryanis and seafood delights but to really enjoy the essence of Malayali cuisine you need to have Sadhya. This lavish meal is usually enjoyed during festivals and is always traditionally a vegetarian affair. It is always served on a banana leaf and involves a variety of dishes where the spread can even go up to 28 or more different items.

This Onam, treat yourself to one of these incredible Sadhya's across the city that is pulling out all the stops to make sure you have a hearty meal.

Konkan Cafe, Vivanta President, Mumbai - One of the best restaurants in the city for South Indian cuisine is the Konkan Cafe. While the menu is full of wonderful dishes from Kerala, this Onam the restaurant is hosting a traditional Sadhya during ten days of Onam from September 11th that promises to be a spectacular feast. This elaborate meal includes 26 different dishes such as Rasam, Sabarasam, Achringa Thoran, Olan, Avial, Pal Payasam and plenty more.

Dakshin Coastal, ITC Maratha, Mumbai - On any given day, a meal at Dakshin Coastal is a wonderful affair but this year when the restaurant gears up to celebrate Onam it is going to be a feast fit for a king. Enjoy the Onam Sadhya on 11th September for either lunch or dinner and indulge in a glorious festive meal. Lots of popular Malayali dishes including Sambaram, Erussery, Parippu Pradhaman, Avial, Kootu Curry, Pal and Adai.  

Lotus Cafe, JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu - The all-day dining restaurant is celebrating Onam with a lavish Sadhya. This feast is specially curated for patrons this festive season and will be available on the 10th and 11th of September at the Lotus Cafe. Guests can indulge in traditional Malayali dishes like Avial, Cabbage Thoran, Kottu Cury, Curry Leaf Rice and a host of other popular ones. It is going to be a celebratory meal and perfect for diners who want to enjoy a typical Sadhya.

Lalit Refreshment - Taste of Kerala, Fort, South Mumbai - Always bustling with the crowd during lunchtime because of all the busy offices in the neighbourhood but it is always worth the wait at this restaurant. While they do serve their meals thali-style on a banana leaf, the spread for Onam is far more elaborate and devoid of all their fish dishes. It is economical and you will get a true sense of community dining here and you jostle into whatever space is available to tuck into your meal, often sharing your table with strangers.

Hotel Deluxe, Fort, South Mumbai - Just down the road from Taste of Kerala is another Fort legend that has a legion of loyal fans. This writer has been visiting since she was a young college student at St Xavier's with a frugal allowance that was saved to spend on a plate of Prawn Curry and Appams at this restaurant. Hotel Deluxe is home to fabulous Malayali food, and, during Onam festival, one can enjoy a grand feast with their Sadhya.