Kanda bhaji is a speciality of Pune but the best place to have it is at the top of Sinhagad hill. Kanda bhaji is nothing but Onion pakoda/ Onion fritters. But there is something about the Kanda bhaji from Sinhagad, it just tasted different in a good way. One plate costs you just INR. 40 with around 6 pieces of crispy fritters and red spicy chutney.
You'll get these easily from any restuarant around but don't look for one! Because the best ones are served not in the well built restuarants but inside the small hut like stalls where they cook authentic puneri meals and snacks along with chai. The seating arrangement at the Sinhagad for these snacks are simple too, there are noone! Some stalls provide you with chairs. You can get a mat and spread it anywhere you like, under the shade of trees, in the middle of a lawn or just sit somewhere you are comfortable. These stalls provide the best food you can get if you hike all the up. Maybe thats is why it tasted a lot more better for us, we were really tired of the trek in the hot summer.
Speaking of heat and summer, there are other options like these colourful "baraf gola/ice gola/chuski". Its just ice pressed together on a stick and dipped in your favourite flavor, that simple yet a saviour from the hot climate. A chuski doesn't cost you more than INR. 20.
An ideal option is to hike up the hill early morning, sit and enjoy the nature and the fort before it gets crowded and hike down before the sun is too bright. There are stalls in between the trails of the hill that provide Lime juice, kokkam sarbat and water. Nothing more than INR.20-25. At the fort you can get Kulfi, fruits and other small bites.
Highly recoommend kandabhaji and a traditional meal from here.
Restaurant Information
Sinhagad fort, food stalls
Sinhagad Ghat Rd, Thoptewadi, Maharashtra 411025, India
This post participated in the Tasteem contest Cheap and Fabulous? Totally possible!
