Pune’s street food scene in 2025 continues to evolve, blending classic Maharashtrian flavours with innovative twists across its bustling markets from FC Road to Shaniwar Wada. Whether you crave the crispy comfort of vada pav or the frothy indulgence of a mastani, these ten iconic eats capture the city’s vibrant culinary tapestry.
1. Vada Pav
Vada pav—often dubbed the Indian burger—features a spiced potato fritter tucked inside a soft pav, served with green chutney and fiery dry garlic chutney. In Pune, JJ Garden Vada Pav (est. early 1970s) remains legendary for its elongated vadas and tangy chutneys, drawing long queues throughout the day. Beyond tradition, experimental spots like Balewadi’s Thecha Vadapav infuse bacon and local spices into the batter, offering a novel smoky kick.
2. Misal Pav
Misal pav combines a spicy sprouts curry (usal) with crispy farsan, chopped onions, and tangy tamarind chutney layered over pav, celebrated for its fiery kick. Pune’s own Bedekar Tea Stall—serving Puneri misal on sliced bread since 1954—remains the gold standard, balancing heat with crunchy sev and fresh coriander. This protein-rich delight has even ranked among the world’s best vegan dishes.
3. Mastani
Mastani is Pune’s signature milkshake-sundae hybrid, blending thick ice cream, fresh fruit pulp, and rabdi into a towering glass. Sujata Mastani on FC Road, established in 1966, pioneered the mango mastani and continues to serve over 20 flavours spun in a traditional French pot. Beyond taste, the drink carries romantic lore—named after Peshwa Bajirao I’s consort Mastani—and is an essential Pune experience.
4. Poha
Poha is a light, tangy breakfast staple made from flattened rice sautéed with mustard seeds, turmeric, peanuts, sev, and fresh coriander. At Bipin Snacks near Karve Road railway booking office, this simple dish shines for its perfect grain texture and generous peanut crunch, served alongside steaming cutting chai in a hole-in-the-wall setting.
5. Bakarwadi
Bakarwadi are spiral-shaped, deep-fried gram flour rolls filled with sweet-spicy coconut, poppy seeds, and chilli mix. Pune’s Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale—and its 1976-launched bakarwadi—remains synonymous with this snack, defining its crispy texture and balanced flavors. A recent brand dispute underscores its cultural importance and widespread popularity across Maharashtra.
6. Samosa
Piping-hot samosas with spiced potato and peas offer a flaky, savory snack at any hour. Anarse Samosewale in Sadashiv Peth, active for over two decades, is praised by locals for its perfectly crispy pastry, sev garnish, and a trio of chutneys—green, sweet, and extra chilies.
7. Kachhi Dabeli
Kachhi dabeli—a Sindhi-Gujarati import—features mashed spiced potatoes mixed with peanuts, pomegranate, and dabeli masala, all tucked into a butter-toasted bun Wikipedia. On Sinhgad Road, “Famous Kacchi Dabeli” serves generous, sweet-spicy fillings 24/7, making it a go-to for late-night cravings.
8. Pav Bhaji
Pav bhaji consists of butter-toasted pav dipped into a creamy, spiced vegetable mash topped with a lemon squeeze and onion garnish. At Pune’s Wadeshwar outlets, this Mumbai classic transforms with Maharashtrian flair—adding local butter and a side of sev batatapuri for extra crunch.
9. Bhel Puri
Bhel puri mingles puffed rice, sev, diced veggies, and tangy-sweet chutneys for an addictive crunch. Outside Sarasbaug, vendor Rohit Bhore’s cart is famed for fresh chutneys and coriander-sprig garnish, with business surging as parks reopen post-lockdown.
10. Pani Puri
Pani puri—or golgappa—comprises hollow semolina puris filled with spicy potato mix and dunked into flavored water before popping whole. On FC Road, Arjun Shendre offers “mineral water pani puri” to alleviate health concerns after local GBS fears, maintaining about 45 plates sold daily despite earlier highs
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