A Viral ‘Love Letter to Pune’ Shares 20 Eateries That Must be on Every Foodie’s List

Pune-based writer Junisha Dama recently shared an extensive viral Twitter thread that details how old and new eateries are changing Pune’s culinary landscape, and where you can go to eat your favourite food.

By Sowmya Mani

July 28, 2022

Memories of your favourite city are incomplete without the food you’ve come to love. Whether it’s a fancy meal on a night out, or ordering your comfort dish at home, the food you eat becomes a big part of your life in any city.

Pune-based writer Junisha Dama found herself on a similar journey in the city. In a viral Twitter thread that she calls a ‘Love Letter to Pune’, she maps the transformation of the city’s food landscape through the pandemic.

“I lived there for two years and continue to frequent it every other month. This food thread is long overdue. Think of it as a love letter to Pune. Since 2019, it [has been] a new food city completely,” she wrote.

Killer Croissants with Blue Tokai Coffee

Junisha starts her list with Felice Pasticceria, which has an in-house bakery.

There’s Felice Pasticceria in #Kothrud with it’s in-house bakery. The face, like most in Pune, is pretty and their croissants are superior. They use Blue Tokai to make several coffees and are overall, quietly doing a killer job. pic.twitter.com/7ES7PEXUbV
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

Japanese-inspired delicacies

In #Baner Tokyo Bakery offers curry breads, fromage, custard buns, stuffed croissants – everything is Japanese-inspired! pic.twitter.com/kDOqXSLYUi
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

South Indian food with a twist

Bored of idli, dosa, and vada, and want to up your South Indian cuisine game? Head to We Idliwale to sample their kori roti with mutton saru, or chicken curry with idli.

We Idliwale has changed the face of South Indian food in a city that once loved only Vaishali/Rupali. Chicken curry with idli, kori Roti with mutton saru, there’s a lot more at their dine-in in #VimanNagar, and a limited menu at the darshini-style We Idliwale Mini in #Baner pic.twitter.com/PszfvAVQup
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

In the mood for momos?

Want to try Vietnamese coffee and Nepali food? Yeti & the Monk will satisfy your cravings.

Yeti & The Monk in #Aundh, rather #Khadki is giving the city a peak into Tibetan/Nepali food with mighty pork momos, thukpa, and a host of other things. They also make a kick-ass Vietnamese coffee. pic.twitter.com/8zjxEYyVQQ
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

Beer on a rooftop

Enjoy some craft beer with tenderloin sandos and bacon croquettes at Independence Brewing Co.

I’m partial to the craft beer at Independence Brewing Co #Balewadi. I’ve always loved their outdoor space, tenderloin sandos, bacon croquettes, and their porters. I consistently pray they’ll pour the porter ‘Serendipity’ that they created for Tapped 2019. pic.twitter.com/f5gKhJF75p
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

A taste of Nikkei Cuisine

Sample Peruvian-Japanese cuisine at Soy Como Soy.

Soy Como Soy is sitting out of #KalyaniNagar and offering Nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese) cuisine, and Chef Rohit has changed the game with the meat offerings and sauces. Although their ramen, hamachi carpaccio are all great too! pic.twitter.com/MmROvqK4mZ
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

A French-Italian Cafe

Sit down for some authentic French-Italian food at Brasserie Cinq.

I first got a chance to experience Chef Ambar Rose’s prowess in 2018. In 2022 too, Brasserie Cinq on #DholePatilRoad where French-Italian food takes centre stage is absolutely brilliant. Eggplant nachos, butter-poached crab terrain, steak frites, linguine with proscuito is ?? pic.twitter.com/RPATTHrYBS
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

Mighty Pizzas

If you enjoy thin-crust pizzas, try Mighty Crust Pizzeria for New York style pizzas.

There’s also Mighty Crust Pizzeria in #Shivajinagar and #PimpleNilakh for NY-style thin crust pizzas.
They use local ingredients and offer one of the better pepperoni pizzas I’ve ever eaten! pic.twitter.com/2q9U1SOCfV

— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

European Bistro

There is comfort in old favourites. Le Plaisir is one of them. Head there for the most delicious panna cotta, Junisha says.

I know Le Plaisir in #DeccanGymkhana is a crowd-favourite since years! But their Panna Cotta continues to be a hit! pic.twitter.com/gw5a2U5tos
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

Best Japanese food

Ginkgo offers great karaage, sushi, ramen, and more.

I don’t have too many photos of Ginkgo in #Kothrud. But in Pune, it’s by far, the best Japanese food I’ve had the chance of trying. Karage, sushi, ramen, and more. I also tried their bento box, which came to Mumbai via a special pop-up and it’s been nothing short of brilliant pic.twitter.com/3gkH7EriCr
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

Bun Maska & Chai

For Irani food, Maskawala & Co is a good bet, with their chicken/mutton cutlets and omelettes.

Tbh, #Kothrud is killing it with the kind of eateries that open up there. Maskawala &Co does great Irani-style omelettes, and their chicken/mutton cutlet is worth taking the trip to the neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/90JSW8tR61
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

A trip across the globe

Barometer offers global plates with a heavy Mediterranean influence. It’s always full, so prepare to wait!

There’s also Barometer in #Kothrud which is perpetually full, even on a weekday afternoon.
They do global plates! Lots of Mediterranean influences here, like this plate of prawns and chicken steak with saffron rice. pic.twitter.com/KZaijJ1Trh

— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

Comfort food

Appa in Narayan Peth offers great vada sambar and sabudana khichdi with koshimbir.

I have other smaller favourites. Like Appa in #NarayanPeth which does a great vada sambhar, sabudana khichdi with koshimbir. They have other branches too, but this one was always a favourite. pic.twitter.com/P56DvZcHZR
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

Amazing kebabs

Forget the lack of space and enjoy great kebabs and shawarmas in their classic Brota sandwiches at Brota.

An old favourite of mine was Brota in #Kothrus. It’s a dingy space, Rickey tables, and they only make Brota sandwiches. But the char on the kebabs and the way they grilled their meats… absolutely perfect! pic.twitter.com/MZsboH96Rw
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

Best of Kerala

Have some beef fry and parotta, or fish fry at Kerala Restaurant in Aundh. As a bonus, you can shop for rose appams and tapioca chips at the Kerala Store.

Excuse the bad photos, but some of the best beef fry and parotta, fish fry, and morru I’ve had in Pune was at Kerala Restaurant in #Aunch. It’s more of a mess, under Kerala Store which sells rose appams, tapioca chips, and Eastern’s masalas. pic.twitter.com/aCzmsAIoh4
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

Good Sushi

Sample some sushi at Kinki in Balewadi.

Kinki in #Balewadi was always a great idea to go to for sushi. Of course, it’s no match to Gong along the same street. But for the price, Kinki did a wonderful job. pic.twitter.com/LgntX0aSln
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

Make space for cheesecake

Enjoy the flavours of the smoked cheesecake at Toscano, Koregaon Park.

Okay, maybe Toscano in #KoregaonPark can be a bit of an oversell. But their Smoked Cheesecake is brilliant! The flavour is just something else. pic.twitter.com/8bVnW7Gb7o
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

Select Japanese flavours

If you don’t mind the price, try Ukiyo for Japanese food.

Ukiyo is another place that’s GREAT for Japanese food. It’s inside Ritz Carlton, so obviously pricey…but worth every penny! pic.twitter.com/20nHC4rtX7
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

Sev Pav

A small stall called Samarth Foods in Kothrud offers great sev pavs.

Okay, tbh, I didn’t know Sev Pav was a thing until I moved to Pune. And this tiny stall, Samarth Foods, in #Kothrud was where I’ve snacked several such pavs pic.twitter.com/gglwQgiyUt
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

Pune’s best chicken burger

Feast on the chicken burger from Burger in Camp.

I don’t have a great picture of the chicken burger from Burger in #Camp either. But, yeah, trust Punekars to be proud of this place and well for ₹120 bucks, I was sold! pic.twitter.com/2DizhSR63u
— Junisha Dama (@JunishaDama) July 27, 2022

The thread has got Punekars talking and listing their own favourites. If you’re from Pune, go try some of these places!

Edited by Divya Sethu