Located in the picturesque hills of Sahyadri range, Mahabaleshwar is a quaint hill station that sits high above the sea level yet close to the coastal areas of Mumbai and Pune. From enjoying the pleasant weather up in the hills to going all out for adventure on horseback along the Venna Lake, there’s something for everyone to do. A beautiful five-hour drive from Mumbai and three hours from Pune, you’d be crossing tunnels and bridges to finally witness the hilly terrains and lush green landscapes of Mahabaleshwar. Engulfed by nature and snow-clad mountain ranges, every moment spent here, right from sunrise to sunset is worth being captured. Wait, is it just about the scenic views? Of course not.
Mahabaleshwar is also known as the strawberry capital of India. With the extensive farming of strawberries, mulberries and cranberries, the region is famous for its fresh and diverse range of berries. Strawberries hold a special significance here, with tourists flocking the hill station to try their famous strawberry cream. For those untouched by the phenomenon, strawberry cream is a classic combination wherein fresh strawberries are mixed with strawberry ice cream and whipped cream. This serves as a delectable dessert in Mahabaleshwar and many parts of northern India.
Best Places For Strawberry Cream In Mahabaleshwar
If you’re heading to Mahabaleshwar, try the typical combination of strawberry cream from this hill station.
1. Strawberry Den
As the name suggests, this place is the hub of the best quality strawberries. From shakes to ice creams, they’ve got a strawberry flavour in everything. The strawberry cream served here is made from one of the finest dairy creams.
Where: 13, Dr. Sahane Road, MG Rd, Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra 412806
Timings: 10 am-12 pm
Cost For Two: ₹100
Cuisines Offered: Desserts
Source: Strawberry Den/Instagram
2. Bagicha Corner
An ice cream parlour you’d find on the Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani road is this cute Bagicha corner. Not something too fancy yet serving its patrons the best strawberry cream enroute, this place also has delicious corn patties that you should try. Famous personalities also stop by this corner-café to have a taste of strawberry cream.
Where: Near Veena Lake, mahabaleshwar-, Panchgani - Mahabaleshwar Rd, near Wheat Research Centre, Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra 412806
Timings: 9:30 am-10:30 pm
Cost For Two: ₹1,000
Cuisines Offered: Snacks, Desserts
3. Mapro Graden
If you want to take a walk in the strawberry plantations while enjoying a beautiful view of the hills, head to Mapro Garden. They have this cute café inside which offers one of the freshest strawberry cream that you would have ever tasted. They also have farm-fresh pizzas that you can devour.
Where: 15/1B, Gureghar, Panchgani - Mahabaleshwar Rd, Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra 412806
Timings: 8 am-9 pm
Cost For Two: ₹1,500
Cuisines Offered: Italian, Continental, Desserts
4. Garden Ice Cream Restaurant
Dining in an outdoorsy space, making the most of the pleasant breeze, gorge on a cup full of strawberry cream. A luscious and creamy affair, this vegetarian place also serves a wholesome Indian meal with dal makhni and shahi paneer as the top picks.
Where: Panchgani - Mahabaleshwar Rd, Lingmala, Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra 412806
Timings: 7 am-11 pm
Cost For Two: ₹1,000
Cuisines Offered: Punjabi, Chinese, Maharashtrian, Fast Food, Desserts
5. Suraj Strawberry Plucking Farm And Cream Point
Offering a sweet trail to witness strawberries and pluck the best ones for dessert, it has a cream point too where your chosen strawberries will be added to your glass of strawberry cream.
Where: The Fern Resort, Panchgani - Mahabaleshwar Rd, opposite Grand Victoria, Ganeshpeth, Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra 412805
Timings: 6 am-8 pm
Cost For Two: ₹800
6. Shilpa Strawberry Garden
An in-house café of the hotel, this garden offers some fresh strawberries that are hand-picked by the café to make creamy strawberry cream for everyone.
Where: WMPC+8GX, Panchgani Mahabaleshwar Road, Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra 412806
Timings: 24 hours
Cost For Two: ₹1,000
Cuisines Offered: North Indian, Desserts
7. Anarkali Cream Center
A one-stop shop for all creamy cravings, the Anarkali Cream centre is located near the Venna Lake so you can drop by after a horse ride. The strawberry shake is a must try after the strawberry cream of course.
Where: At Venna Lake, Stall No. 15, Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra 412806
Timings: 11 am-10 pm
Cost For Two: ₹300