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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.
Pav Bhaji
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.
Bhel Puri
Image Credits: Freepik
Bhel puri is a crispy puffed rice-based street food of Maharashtra. To make the dish, puffed rice is combined with a host of ingredients, including chopped onions and tomatoes, plus spices like fresh coriander leaves. The dish is garnished with crushed puris and sev, which lend bhel puri its signature crunchy texture. These ingredients are tossed in flavourful green and tamarind chutneys to form a deeply appetising and a lip-smacking evening snack dish.
Recommendations: Agrawal Chatouri Chaat
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹100, approx.
Upma
Image Credits: Freepik
Upma is a classic comfort food of Maharashtra. Made from semolina, the dish has a thick, porridge-like consistency. Other ingredients used to prepare upma include chopped onions and mustard seeds. The dish also incorporates various spices, such as turmeric powder, red chilli powder, curry leaves, and green chillies, which infuse it with loads of flavour. Upma is usually eaten for breakfast, and variations of this dish are also enjoyed in states like Kerala and Telangana.
Recommendations: Gharchi Aathwan
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹300, approx.
Thalipeeth
A fixture in Maharashtrian cuisine, thalipeeth is a spicy flatbread crafted from a special multi-grain flour called “bhajanee.” The flour is formed by blending various ingredients, such as chana dal, urad dal, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, wheat, and rice. Some thalipeeth recipes also incorporate foods like onions, ginger, and green chillies to imbue the dish with additional bursts of spice and flavour. This nutritious, protein-rich flatbread is typically eaten with butter, curd, pickle or thecha.
Recommendations: Rohit Vadewale
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹350, approx.
Shengdana Amti
Shengdana amti is a traditional Maharashtrian dal-based dish crafted primarily from peanuts. In addition to peanuts, ingredients like kokum, fresh coconut, and green chillies go into the preparation of the dish. Spices, such as cumin seeds and tamarind also used as seasonings to imbibe the dish with complex flavours; the dal is topped off with fresh coriander leaves. Shengdana amti is popularly consumed as a fasting food during festive occasions, namely Mahashivratri and Ekadashi.
Recommendations: Akola Paratha House
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹250, approx.
Puran Poli
Image Credits: Freepik
Puran poli is a mouth-melting stuffed flatbread cherished as a dessert throughout Maharashtra. A festive favourite, Maharashtrians are known to serve this flaky delicacy on special occasions, such as Holi and Ganesh Chaturthi. Crafted from flour, the filling of this treat integrates foods like lentils, jaggery, and cardamom. Some recipes also add nutmeg and dried ginger to lend the dish smoky flavours. Puran poli is typically relished with a dollop of ghee or butter.
Recommendations: Peshwa Restaurant
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹300, approx.
Basundi
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Basundi is an enticing milk-infused dessert relished in states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. To prepare the dish, milk is boiled and then tempered with a bunch of ingredients, such as sugar, saffron, nuts, and cardamom powder. Dry fruits, including crushed cashews, almonds, and pistachios as well as saffron strands are typically used as garnish over basundi. Usually served chill, the dish can also be eaten in accompaniment with hot, crispy puris.
Recommendations: Vaibhav Sweets
Type: Vegetarian
Cost For Two: ₹200, approx.
