Nanded is situated in Maharashtra and it draws culinary influences from various diverse sources. For example, its location within the Deccan Plateau enables the city to incorporate South Indian tastes and textures into its foods. Similarly, the land is composed of Sikh, Maratha, and Muslim populations, who have also influenced the food culture of the city. Overall, the city relies on local agricultural produce, with ingredients such as jowar and bajra prominently featured in the foods of Nanded.
Additionally, culinary items such as pulses, including toor dal and moong dal, are also extensively used in the cuisine of Nanded. Being in Maharashtra, the city naturally boasts an array of delicious street foods, including the spice-packed vada pav and the appetising misal pav. Visit the local establishment, Goli Vada Pav No. 1, to sample the different types of vada pav available in Nanded. The city abounds in vegetarian delicacies, some of which will be explored below.
Check out the top 7 culinary gems of Nanded.
Vada Pav
A classic street food, vada pav comprises two main components: a deep-fried potato fritter coated in gram flour called “vada” and a fluffy bread roll that holds the vada called “pav.” In addition to mashed potatoes, the vada possesses a range of spices, such as curry leaves, turmeric, ginger, and green chillies. The dish is typically served with a helping of dry garlic chutney as well as a pungent green chutney.
Recommendations: Goli Vada Pav No. 1
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹150, approx.
Misal Pav
Like vada pav, misal pav is a popular street food in Maharashtra. Usually eaten as breakfast, the hero ingredient of this dish is a smoky moth bean-based curry called “misal.” The curry is usually garnished with crunchy savoury snack items, including sev and gathiya. Other ingredients, such as onions, lemons, and fresh coriander leaves, are also used as garnishes on the flavourful dish. Misal is commonly eaten in accompaniment with soft bread rolls.
Recommendations: Rudra Misal and Vadapav Centre
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹150–₹200, approx.
Sabudana Khichdi
Made from sago or sabudana pearls, sabudana khichdi is a comforting and filling Maharashtrian delicacy. To craft the dish, sago pearls are combined with crunchy roasted peanuts and delectable spices, such as green chillies, cumin seeds, and ginger. The dish is typically garnished with fresh coriander leaves and curry leaves. Considered a “faral” or a fast-friendly food, sabudana khichdi is particularly popular during fast periods; however, it can be savoured at all times.
Recommendations: Falahaar Grah
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹150–₹200, approx.
Bharli Vangi
A hallmark of Maharashtrian cuisine, bharli vangi is prepared by stuffing baby brinjals with a tasty filling. This filling is usually made by cooking peanuts, coconuts, and spices, including tamarind paste, ginger, and white sesame seeds. The dish also features a special local ingredient called “goda masala,” which imbues the food with loads of rich flavour. Some bharli vangi recipes incorporate jaggery to lend the dish a sweetness factor. This specialty can be enjoyed with rice or rotis.
Recommendations: Visawa Palace
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹350–₹400, approx.
Pithla Bhakri
A simple but cherished staple Maharashtrian delicacy, pithla bhakri features two main elements. These include a chickpea flour-based gravy called “pithla,” which is crafted from a range of ingredients, such as green chillies, garlic, coriander, ginger, garam masala, and red chillies. This pithla is enjoyed with a flatbread called “bhakri.” Bhakri is usually made from jowar or bajra. When combined, pithla and bhakri serve as a mouthwatering and satisfying meal.
Recommendations: Shri Lakshmi Vyanktesh Tifin Centre
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹150–₹200, approx.
Basundi
Basundi is a decadent dessert made from sweetened condensed milk. The sweet dish is usually flavoured with spices, such as nutmeg and cardamom, to infuse it with a complexity of flavours and textures. Similarly, a bevy of crushed nuts, including pistachios, almonds, and cashews, are used as garnishes to lend the dish some crunch and bite. Although a fixture in Maharashtrian cuisine, variations of this dish are also enjoyed in states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Recommendations: New Kamal Sweet And Dairy
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹500, approx.
Sheera
Sheera is an enticing, melt-in-the-mouth sweet dish made primarily from semolina. To craft this pudding-like delicacy, semolina is cooked with ghee, sugar, cashews, and raisins. Further, the dish is flavoured with spices like saffron and cardamom to give the sheera a multidimensional quality. Plus, the generous use of ghee infuses the dish with an air of indulgence. Crushed nuts, including almonds and pistachios, are frequently used as a sheer garnish; they can also be topped off with saffron strands.
Recommendations: Shri Krishna Vilas Hotel
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹250, approx