Food is a major attraction for travelers, so make sure you don't miss out on the local culinary delights.
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Pune is around $29 (₨2533) per person, with previous travelers spending from $13 to $55. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Pune are as follows:
- Breakfast: $3 to $9
- Lunch: $4 to $12
- Dinner: $9 to $20
- Coffee: $2
- Fast Food or Street Food: $4
Cuisine of Pune is typical of Maharashtrian cooking, which largely consists of staples which include wheat, rice, jowar, bajri, vegetables, lentils, and fruit. Jowar and bajri are both grass species cultivated for their grain. Chicken and goat are the most popular meats for non-vegetarian dishes in Maharashtra. Meals are prepared in a variety of ways from curry sauces based in coconut milk to red gravies or white gravies, all usually served with rice. Pickles and condiments often accompany main dishes. Chutneys, for example, are especially popular with preserves which include raw mango chutney, mint, tamarind chutney, cilantro, panchamrit, and mirachicha thecha, as well as dry varieties based on oil seeds such as flax seed, peanut, sesame, coconut, and karale. Herbs and spices used in much of the cooking include items like garlic, onion, coriander leaves, ginger, curry leaves, green chilli pepper, turmeric, mustard seeds, coriander, cumin, dried bay leaves, chili powder, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, cardamon, and nutmeg. Street food and fast food snacks are especially popular in cities like Pune. The best variety can be found on North Main Road - a lane with more than 50 restaurants, offering a choice of cuisine including Italian, French, Mexican, Thai, Japanese, and a variety of local Indian food.
A lot of hotels include breakfast in their price, but some may add it as an extra charge. The price and quality can differ from one hotel to the next. Being aware of this ahead of time can help you figure out if you'll need to shell out more money. The hotel buffet could be delicious, or you might opt for a more affordable treat at a nearby bakery or cafe.
Pack a water bottle to save on drinks. It's also a way to help protect the environment.
Before embarking on a tour, ensure you know which meals are included. You might have to pay for some food yourself, and that can add to your travel expenses.