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Pune takes its Sabudana Vada very seriously. In this city, Sabudana Vada is not just a fasting snack but a local street food favourite, available at small eateries, street-side stalls, and renowned Maharashtrian restaurants. Punekars enjoy these vadas as a perfect monsoon or winter snack, where their warm, savoury nature complements the cool weather beautifully. Their subtle flavour and the rich aroma of roasted peanuts make Sabudana Vada a nostalgic treat for many, evoking memories of family gatherings, celebrations, and lazy afternoons.
Video Credit: Your Food Lab
“The Sabudana Vada we make at home is what I love the most. We make sure that the sabudana is well-soaked. Plus we add the groundnut powder or danyacha kut very generously which restaurants or carts don't. We also add potatoes at home,” says Jayesh Paranjpe, a Punekar who also runs a travel company called Western Routes that also conducts heritage and food walks in the city.
“Pune has many carts that serve excellent sabudana vadas. On our heritage walks in Kasba Peth, we stop at a cart where a couple sells Sabudana Wadas with spicy coconut and groundnut chutney. That cart doesn't have a name and no operational timings. They are around on weekends in the morning and evenings,” he tells us.
Photo Credit: Jayesh Paranjpe
The popularity of Sabudana Vada also speaks to the unique food culture in Pune, where Maharashtrian cuisine is cherished and celebrated. At its heart, Sabudana Vada remains a comforting, iconic snack that embodies the essence of Pune’s culinary tradition: simple yet flavourful, with a touch of home. Whether enjoyed with a cup of chai or on its own, Sabudana Vada is an essential part of the Pune food experience, bringing both locals and tourists together to savour its timeless taste.
“While Pune foodies may have their differences regarding other dishes, for Sabudana Vada we have more or less a consensus, I think. Shreenathji in Raviwar Peth and Hindavi Swarajya on JM road have been clear Pune favourites. I say so because over the years their quality and patronage have remained the same,” says Aniruddha Patil @thepuneeatouts
“Sabudana Vada is not a shortcut recipe. Right from making sure that the Sabudana is well-soaked, to the proportion of starch binding it to spices to frying it right. It's not just a recipe but a lot of patience and time given for it to settle. Many other quick-fix places do not get that right hence we either get a chewy, sticky, or vadas that are low on potato binding. These 2 places are specialists and not generic snack centers. While there are many other good places, these 2 names will always top the list for most of us,” he adds.
Hindavi Swaraj, JM Road
As recommended by Jayesh Paranjpe (@the.local.epicurean), Tanvi Deshpande (@tanvi_deshpandee), Aniruddha Patil (@thepuneeatouts) and Manish Ekbote (@Sadak.gourmet)
One of Pune’s most popular traditional eateries in Pune, Hindavi Swaraj was recommended by almost every foodies that Slurrp spoke to. According to Jayesh Paranjpe “Their Sabudana Vada is crisp and perfectly fried. It is accompanied by spicy thecha, sweet kakdi dahi and chutney.” The vadas are crisp outer and pillowy soft inside and they are also available on online food delivery apps on most days,” says Manish Ekbote aka @Sadak.gourmet. The place is also known for its tadke wali dal khichdi.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6L84uqpvcDtGX2AZA
Phone Number: 9970558087
Timing: 9 am to 7.30 pm
Address: Junglee Maharaj Road, Opposite Jungli Maharaj Mandir, JM Road, Pune.
Cost for two: Rs 200
Available Cuisines: Maharashtrian Snacks and Khichadi
Type: Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, lunch, snacks.
Shrinathji, Raviwar Peth
As recommended by Jayesh Paranjpe (@the.local.epicurean), Tanvi Deshpande (@tanvi_deshpandee) Aniruddha Patil (@thepuneeatouts) and Manish Ekbote (@Sadak.gourmet )
Another Pune favourite, this eatery sits in the crowded Ravivar Peth area. Their freshly made Sabudana Vada made with extra groundnut is served with grated cucumber and curd kachumber. It was one of the first carts in Pune that served 'tupat talalele Sabudana Vade' - which translates to Sabudana Vadas fried in ghee. The city’s foodies swear by this joint which specialises in making Sabudana Vada.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HU1FtUTL9yNHXLsQ8
Phone Number: 8888260223
Timing: 11 am to 9 pm
Address: Rameshwar Chowk, Moulana Abdul Kalam Ajad Road, Budhwar Peth, Pune
Cost for two: Rs 200
Available Cuisines: Maharashtrian
Type: Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Chirp, Shirole Road
As recommended by Jayesh Paranjpe (@the.local.epicurean)
While many traditional eateries in Pune specialise in Sabudana Vadas, there are also newer ones that offer a modern take on the classic dish, adding twists like herbs, spices, or creative chutneys. Some eateries offer mini sabudana vadas, bite-sized versions that are perfect for snacking. There’s also the stuffed sabudana vada, where spicy fillings add an extra kick. A few cafes have introduced baked or air-fried versions, appealing to health-conscious food lovers. Chirp located on Shirole Road has its own take on Sabudana Wada where they have crispy Sabudana Vada poppers which are the perfect tea-time snack.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xkYxL4p3PCv6CVom9
Phone Number: 8530762222
Timing: 7.30 am to 11 pm
Address: 1202/34, Shirole Road, Shivaji Nagar, Pune.
Cost for two: Rs 1000
Available Cuisines: Asian, Continental, Healthy Food, Mexican, Middle Eastern
Type: Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner.
Wadeshwar, Across Pune
As recommended by Tanvi Deshpande (@tanvi_deshpandee) and Manish Ekbote (@Sadak.gourmet)
Though lesser known compared to Pune’s old haunts, the Sabudana Vadas at Wadeshwar which has multiple outlets in the city are known to be as traditional as they come. “It's the perfect combination of crispy from the outside and soft from the inside. The hint of green chilli hits the right spot and they serve it with a cold sweet curd. The hot wadas and cold dahi combination is perfection. Compared to other places, the vadas are slimmer, so they end up being crispier,” says foodie and Public Relations expert, Tanvi Deshpande.
Timing: 7 am to 11 pm
Address: Outlets in Kothrud, FC Road and Kalyani Nagar
Cost for two: Rs 600
Available Cuisines: South Indian, Sandwich, Fast Food, Maharashtrian.
Type: Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner.
Photo Credit: Tanvi Deshpande
Prabha Visharanti Griha
As recommended by Tanvi Deshpande (@tanvi_deshpandee) Aniruddha Patil (@thepuneeatouts) and Manish Ekbote (@Sadak.gourmet )
This eatery Is known for its batata wada but also makes great Sabudana Vada. “Prabha Vishranti Gruha’s batata wada recipe was shared by Nitin Gadkari in a YouTube video where he was interviewed about his favourite dishes and restaurants. The restaurant is known for its minimalism. It is a “no frill's place”. It has limited seating. Their Sabudana Vada is served without chutney and they use red chilli powder to spice it up,” says Manish Ekbote aka @Sadak.gourmet
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WVoTfntYa7HxFu3f8
Phone Number: 8237893305
Timing:10 am to 10.30 pm
Address: 207, Shop 1/ 2, Kem Hospital, Rasta Peth, Pune.
Cost for two: Rs 300
Available Cuisines: Maharashtrian
Type: Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Shivkrushna Sabudana Vada
As recommended by Manish Ekbote (@Sadak.gourmet )
This is another Sabudana Vada joint located on Rasta Peth. It sits on the Khau Galli street near KEM Hospital the vadas are known to fly off the counter almost as soon are they are prepared. “The vadas here have great texture. The quantity of peanuts used is more and that seems to make all the difference,” says Manish. There is also lots of jeera and the vadas are slightly bigger than most other places.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WVoTfntYa7HxFu3f8
Phone Number: 8237893305
Timing: 9 am to 4 pm
Address: 207, Shop 1/ 2, Kem Hospital, Rasta Peth, Pune
Cost for two: Rs 100
Available Cuisines: Street Food
Type: Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast and lunch.
New Refreshment House, Tilak Road
As recommended by Aniruddha Patil (@thepuneeatouts)
If you are looking for another eatery for traditional Maharashtrian snacks, head to the unassuming New Refreshment House on Tilak Road. Known for their Dadpe Pohe and crispy Sabudana Vadas, the simple-looking eatery will surprise you with its delicious treats.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tUkZhUuWGLRxG4Wz9
Phone Number: 80109625218010962521
Timing: 8 am to 9 pm
Address: 1648, Near Tilak Marg Mandir, Tilak Road, Pune
Cost for two: Rs 400
Available Cuisines: Maharashtrian, South Indian
Type: Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast lunch and dinner.
