Hungry? Craving for a big meal? No, I’m not talking about the happy meal from McDonald’s but a real meal with five to six different dishes in one. Thali is the best thing ever created. I think they invented Thali to feed the beast every Indian has in him/her. It’s very hard to make an Indian happy with your food; if you can do that, kudos, my friend. It is different flavors on one platter served ; as Indians think the diverse flavors, sour, salty, spicy, sweet, etc. should be in one sitting as it creates a balance in the meal. That is why Indian Thali includes six different types of dishes served in a big plate called, “Thali.” We get a variety of Thali’s from different states in India, while some states also contain different regional Thali’s according to their tradition. A typical Thali contains different vegetables served with different flavors, rice and sometimes Roti, Papad, and Achar (Pickles), it may vary depending on the region. It is a challenge to complete a Thali, like Americans do when they give money or a gift to a person who can complete a huge pizza in 25 minutes, or a burger which is 4 pounds and have to complete it in 30 minutes. Well, those calories are going to affect your cholesterol level, but it is fun, right? But if you’re eating a Thali you need to get those maternity pants Joey wore to complete that turkey. It’s not easy to complete all those things. We don’t have a time limit, but it’s hard. But people in India never give up; they eat all that and still have some place in their stomach to eat later. Yes! We’re foodies and we’re proud of that. There are many places in India which serve delicious and mouthwatering Thali’s. Few of them are listed below:
1. Maharaja Bhog
They are really famous in Mumbai for their authentic Thali’s and popular for great ambience. They use fresh and quality ingredients to serve you the best Thali’s.
Address: Juhu Tara Road, Opposite Juhu Beach, Chowpatty Bus Stop, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Opening Hours: 12 Noon to 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
2. Saravanaa Bhavan
Treat your palate with authentic South Indian food. It is always full with people. Make sure you come early. The taste can never be challenged. The place radiates of good vibes.
Address: P-13, Connaught Circus, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
3. A. Rama Nayak’s Udipi Shri Krishna Boarding
If you’re hungry and can eat anything, firstly you need to calm down. That is the way people become fat. So take a ticket to Matunga or flight if you’re from other countries or states, and just come here and eat unlimited for very cheap price.
Address: 1st Floor, LBS Market Building, Near Matunga Central Railway Station, Matunga East, Mumbai
Opening Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (Monday closed)
4. Simply South
As the name suggests it serves simple and South Indian cuisine. 9/10 for the ambience without any thinking. I want teachers to give marks to students the same way.
Address: 1st Floor, Apurupa Silpi, Indra Nagar, Above KFC, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana
Opening Hours: 12 Noon to 3:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
5. Maratha Samrat
The authenticity in the food will be real. You can taste the real Maharashtrian flavors through the dishes here. Maharashtrian cuisine is really spicy, so don’t forget to take your chill pills. * awkwardly leaves*.
Address: Montvert Zenith Building, Opposite Kundan Garden, Beside Veritas IT Park, Baner, Pune
Opening Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Monday Closed)
6. Nagarjuna
It’s said that you can change any food from an ordinary dish to a perfect 10 by adding flavors from Andhra. Well, I said it and I feel it’s true and you can try and tell me if I’m wrong.
Address: 44/1, Residency Road, Bangalore
Opening Hours: 12 Noon to 3:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.
7. Indian Grill Room
Famous for North Indian and Mughlai cuisines. The décor just makes you feel like you’re in a castle. Classy decor and lovely food. You can also enjoy your food on rooftop with a great view, and can also get a wide range of buffet menu.
Address: 315, 3rd Floor, Suncity Business Tower, Golf Course Road, Gurgaon
Opening Hours: 12 Noon to 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
8. Martin’s Corner
This restaurant is on the top of my list to visit in Goa. But if you have planned a trip, be sure to visit them.
Address: Ranvaddo, Salcette, Betalbatim, Goa
Opening Hours: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
9. Estella
No one can ignore the view of Mumbai beaches. Who told you to do it? You can just visit Estella and make it come true. Maybe you can spot a Bollywood celebrity.
Address: Ground Floor, Nichani Kutir Building, Opposite HDFC Bank, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu, Mumbai
Opening Hours: 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
10. Britto’s Bar
Beaches just go with ambience and make good revenue to the restaurants. I think Britto’s killed it with their smart move. Tired and lazy to go a long way for food? That won’t happen anymore.
Address: Baga Calangute Road, Bardez, Baga, Goa
Opening Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
11. Bastian
One of the classiest restaurants out there. Bandra is known for some classy people staying there and some not so classy just pretending to color themselves with the crowd. Another place you can spot celebrities.
Address: B/1, New Kamal Building, Opposite National College, Linking Road, Bandra West.
Opening Hours: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Tue, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat) 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. (Sun) (Monday Closed)
12. Shri Panch Bhog
The Marwari cuisine is worth gaining those extra kilograms for. They have amazing vibe and great hospitality. Don’t forget to visit and enjoy the cuisine.
Address: A 420, Siddhartha Nagar, Terminal 2 Airport Road, Jawahar Circle, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur
Opening Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.
13.
Maplai
If you’re in Chennai and hungry for some authentic food, I think this is the right place. Great place for family dinner together. A trip to Chennai is on.
Address: 14, Sterling Avenue, Nungambakkam, Chennai
Opening Hours: 12 Noon to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
14. Prankster
They have this amazing décor, which I love, it just talks to my soul as the décor says have fun and eat a lot. And that is all my soul believes in. The vibes are really cool and comfortable.
Address: Site 8-10, Sector 29, Gurgaon.
Opening Hours: 12:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
15. 6 Ballygunge Place
There are less places, which serve Bengali cuisine and those who serve are great at their job. You can really taste the Bengali flavors in each and every bite.
Address: 6, Ballygunge Place, Ballygunge, Kolkata
Opening Hours: 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
16. Kesar Da Dhaba
This looks like a small and not so well decorated place with classy seats and tables, but the food speaks for itself, and I think that is the real definition of a good restaurant.
Address: Near Telephone Exchange, Chowk Passian, Shastri Market, Near Town Hall, Amritsar
Opening Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
17. Malwani Kalwan
Being a Malwani, I can totally say that the cuisine serves you the best flavors you can ever imagine. Malwani cuisine will vanish your thirst for spice and all the flavors you name.
Address: Om Cottage, Opposite Nana Nani Park, JP Road, Near 7 Bungalows Garden, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai
Opening Hours: 12 Noon to 3:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 12 Midnight
18. Punjab Da Pind
Punjabi food is not from this planet at all. It has been sent from the God to serve us with amazing dishes and smell. The smell is what takes me away from this world and I can pay for that.
Address: 3rd Floor, Excel Mischief Mall, KS Rao Road, Mangalore
Opening Hours: 12 Noon to 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.
19. Pa Pa Ya
No Chinese, Japanese, Korean can serve the best Asian food. People in India know the Indian Chinese is far better in taste than the real one. Pa Pa Ya fills that entire void.
Address: Dome, Level 4, Select City Walk, A-3, District Centre, Saket, New Delhi
Opening Hours: 12 Noon to 1 a.m.
20. The Bohri Kitchen
I really like the concept, The Bohri kitchen uses for their lovely customers. They don’t have a specific place with great view or décor. Customers visit this place and everyone sits together and eats from one big Thali. It’s very hard to finish but a really great concept of family eating. Don’t even get me started on the food. Still it’s salivating after I ate that lamb yesterday.
Address: Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Monday closed)
Adventurous eaters who love to challenge themselves are welcomed. If you’re going to say you’re full in just 2 or 3 dishes you’re not capable of surviving. As Darwin’s theory says: Survival of the fittest. But if you can’t complete a Thali you can’t survive the race. The places listed above serve the best Thali’s in India. The benefit of having a Thali is that you can feed a whole family with that and still some amount will be left. It is said that you can never fill the void inside your stomach. You can eat and eat but you can’t. So this might be an experiment to try to fill the void. What if the void is like a Bermuda triangle which absorbs everything but still is not full? Don’t worry about these questions; scientists are there to handle those questions. You can continue eating and loving what you eat without caring about what others think, but only doing what you love and eating what you love.
