Pav Bhaji To Basundi: Discovering Akola’s Top 7 Must-Try Dishes

Situated in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, Akola is also known as the “Cotton City” owing to its extensive cotton industry.

The culture of Akola is further enriched by its thriving food culture, which comprises street food delicacies like pani puri and bhel puri, collectively known as “chaat foods.” Drop by the local establishment, Agrawal Chatouri Chaat, to indulge in delicious variations of the aforementioned dishes, including lemon bhel puri and ragda dahi puri.

The cuisine of Akola also abounds in lentils and grains, such as bajra and jowar. In fact, flatbreads made from these grains, including the Maharashtrian staple bhakri, feature quite prominently among the foods of Akola. They are typically eaten alongside protein-rich curries like amti and kadhi. The city also has deep agrarian roots; therefore, its foods make extensive use of fresh local vegetables and pulses. Another defining characteristic of the dishes of Akola is their seamless integration of spices.

Take at a look some of the most popular delicacies of Akola.

Although pav bhaji has origins in Mumbai, the dish is savoured throughout Maharashtra. The main highlight of the dish is a thick mixed vegetables gravy crafted from ingredients like potatoes, carrots, peas, cauliflower, beetroot, lemon, and more. This curry, known locally as “bhaji,” is topped off with dollops of butter, and relished with soft bread rolls called “pav.” A popular street food, pav bhaji makes for a filling evening snack as well as a satisfying meal.

Recommendations: MH 12 Pav Bhaji

Type: Vegetarian

Cost For Two: ₹350, approx.