From Thalis To Solkadhi: Savour The Rich Taste Of Maharashtra At Maratha Samrat

A beloved institution in Pune's culinary landscape, Maratha Samrat has earned its place among the best restaurants in Pune by serving authentic Maharashtrian cuisine for years. With outlets across the city, including the popular Maratha Samrat Kothrud, as well as branches in Baner and Camp, it has built a reputation among people who want to savour the traditional Maharashtrian flavours.

Talking about the food, Maratha Samrat has curated its menu with great care. As someone who visits this place whenever I'm in Pune, their Pomfret Tawa Fry is one starter I simply cannot skip. The first bite tells you everything - a beautifully coated masala crust and perfectly cooked fish that just melts in the mouth. Trust me, you will find yourself devouring it the moment it hits the table.

The irresistible Mutton Thali is easily one of the crowd's favourites - with a range of dishes filling the plate into one humongous spread, it's truly a sight to behold. The thali consists of mutton curry, a small bowl of keema, sukka mutton tossed dry in masala, Tambda Rassa - the red, fiery Kolhapuri broth, Pandhra Rassa - a white coconut-based gravy, and bhakri. The mutton is tender, the kind that suggests a long, slow spell in the pot. It is spreads like this that remind you why Maratha Samrat is counted among the best restaurants in Pune.

If you want to skip the usual and try something different, I suggest you go for Maratha Samrat's Methi Pithla. It is a rustic, comforting Maharashtrian curry made by simmering fresh fenugreek (methi) leaves in a spiced gram flour (besan) batter. There's a slight bitterness that comes from the fresh fenugreek, which gives it that distinct kick. I have it with jowar bhakri, which complements it very well.

Are you a biryani lover who thinks no Indian meal is complete without a good plate of biryani? Because clearly, I fall in that category. Well, if you think alike, you are definitely in for a treat at Maratha Samrat - they serve some of the best biryanis in Pune. My personal recommendation is their Chicken Tawa Biryani. Adequately spiced, perfectly aromatic, and absolutely delicious - this plate is a meal in itself that offers a refreshingly different flavour profile from the usual dum pukht style.

And when the heat from all the Kolhapuri masala and biryani becomes a little too much, a sip of Solkadhi brings it right back down. The Solkadhi at Maratha Samrat is made with kokum and coconut milk - perfectly spiced and with just the right amount of sourness from the kokum, this quintessential Maharashtrian drink is something you shouldn't skip, especially when the sun is wreaking havoc outside.

Well, not just thalis and biryanis - Maratha Samrat also offers a unique range of ice creams and other sweet treats on its menu. On my last visit, one particular ice cream caught my attention, and for all the right reasons. If you are looking for something subtle yet unusual in its flavour combination, go for their Modak ice cream. And if you want to end on a sweeter note, the Ratnagiri Hapoos variation is indulgent, summer-appropriate, and the perfect way to draw the curtains on an extensive meal.

Cost for two: ₹1200