Pune is a paradise for food lovers, but beyond its famous eateries lies a world waiting to be discovered—hidden street food gems in Pune that offer unforgettable flavors and local charm. From spicy pudachi vadi in Budhwar Peth to creamy mango mastani near Dagdusheth, these underrated food spots are where tradition meets taste. In this 2025 guide, we take you on a flavorful journey through the city’s best-kept culinary secrets.
🕵️ Why Now? Pune’s Street Food Glow-Up
Punekars are finally catching some local pride—suddenly everyone’s hyped about kothimbir vadi and pudachi vadi again. Old-school snacks, back in fashion. Plus, it’s not just about the classics—people are stuffing cheese into everything (Vada pav, but make it dairy-overload) and even the humble momo is getting a glow-up. Cheese-fried momos? Didn’t see that coming, but I’m not mad about it.
And those ancient peths? Shaniwar Wada, Budhwar Peth—totally buzzing with food stalls that don’t make it to your Instagram feed, but should.
Famous Classics With a Hidden Twist
Garden Vada Pav Centre (Jumbo Vada Pav)
You think you’ve had vada pav? Wait till you tackle the cheese-stuffed “jumbo” one here. It’ll destroy your diet and probably your self-respect, but who’s judging? Pro move: Go after 7 PM when the buns are peak fluffy, and the chutney has that just-made zing. Don’t overthink it—just eat.
Local tip: Visit post-7 PM when the bun is fresh and the chutney is at peak zing.
Vaishali on FC Road – Mysore Masala Dosa & Bun Maska
Yeah, everyone knows Vaishali, but honestly, when you’re wedged by the window and it’s drizzling outside, that dosa hits different. Bun maska’s the unsung hero. This place has fed half the city’s students since, like, forever. Don’t skip it just because it’s not “underground.”
My experience: Sitting by the window as a monsoon drizzle hits FC Road, and the dosa arrives sizzling—pure mood.
Off-Beat Picks Every Punekar Should Know
Kothimbir Vadi at Durvankur or Chaitanya
Coriander and chickpea fritters—sounds basic, tastes elite. Outsiders usually ignore it. Local hack: grab it from the snack stalls outside Durvankur in the evening. Crunchy, spicy, dunked in tamarind chutney. Trust me, you’ll get it.
Pudachi Vadi from Chitale Bandhu
This one’s straight-up addictive. Spicy, coconutty, rolled up and fried till it’s golden. Chitale Bandhu’s version is the OG—don’t settle for knockoffs. The sweetness from the coconut sneaks up on you. I’ll fight anyone who says this isn’t a top-tier snack.
Exploring Ethnic & Regional Varieties
Sabudana Vada & Dahi Puri
Who says fasting snacks are only for festivals? Sabudana vada (sago fritters) and dahi puri (those yogurt-bombed crispy shells) are available all year now. The vendor near Garden Vada Pav gets the balance right—no soggy puris, just the perfect hit of tang.
Pro tip: The dahi puri vendor near Garden Vada Pav Centre balances flavors without drowning the puris—ideal.
Momos—Steamed, Fried, Tandoori
KP and Shivajinagar have these tiny momo stalls that’re basically Hogwarts for dumpling-lovers. Pan-fried cheese momos in Koregaon Park? Yes, please. Sometimes you get tandoori or even chocolate ones—don’t knock it till you try it.
Sweet and Savory in Cobblestone Lanes
Shrewsbury Biscuit & Mawa Cake at Bakhtiar Plaza You haven’t lived till you’ve had Shrewsbury biscuits and mawa cake from Marz-O-Rin’s grumpy cousin at Bakhtiar Plaza. Early morning, when the city’s half asleep and the bakery smells like nostalgia? That’s the spot.
Mastani and Fresh Juice around Dagdusheth
Those thick, creamy Mastanis (think milkshake with attitude) are a lifesaver in Pune heat. Mango-mastani with a whiff of elaichi, sitting under a slow ceiling fan—honestly, not much else you need.
Mapping Your Food Trail — The One-Day Binge
Morning
8 AM: Kothimbir vadi near Durvankur
Squeeze in a mawa cake and chai at Marz-O-Rin
Wander Shaniwar Peth, snag pudachi vadi
Midday
Hit Dagdusheth for mastani & fruit juices
Lunch = jumbo vada pav at Garden
Evening
Go wild with misal pav + dahi puri at Vishram Bhel, Sadashiv Peth
Post-sunset stroll: Vaishali dosa, then chai at GoodLuck Café
Late Night
Wind down in KP or Shivajinagar: cheese-fried momos, lemon soda, and questionable life choices
Final Thought & Puneri wisdom
Don’t be that guy who shows up after everything’s closed—check timings. Cash is king, don’t rely on UPI everywhere. If the oil looks sketchy or the chutney’s been out since sunrise, bail. And if you hate crowds, just go after 9 PM and you’ll actually get to see the food.
In Conclusion
Honestly, if you’re in Pune and you’re not out there hopping from stall to stall, you’re doing it wrong. The city’s got more flavors hiding in its alleys than half the fancy restaurants put together. So, bring some cash, an appetite, and maybe a friend who doesn’t complain about walking. You’ll thank me later.