"Aishwarya Restaurant in Kothrud offers an authentic Gavran experience with flavourful, rustic Maharashtrian veg and non-veg thalis. Enjoy generous portions, traditional recipes, and unbeatable value in a cozy, welcoming setting." Siddharth Kak writes…

Aishwarya Restaurant in Kothrud, Pune, is renowned for serving authentic Gavran (rustic) Maharashtrian veg and non-veg thalis, offering a true taste of traditional cuisine. With its affordable one-into-two thali concept, it has become a favorite among locals seeking hearty, flavorful meals. The restaurant's specialties include mutton thali, chicken thali, and vegetarian pithala, all made with fresh ingredients like Indrayani rice. Whether you're craving authentic Maharashtrian food or looking for a cozy dining spot in Pune, Aishwarya Restaurant is the go-to destination for an unbeatable culinary experience.

A Hidden Gem in Kothrud

In a small by lane of Kothrud, Pune, there exists a tiny restaurant with a big heart. The name of this restaurant is Aishwarya, and it reflects the warmth and generosity of its 25-year-old owner, Aishwarya Dhamale.

I am grateful to my dear colleague and friend, filmmaker Pradeep Dixit, who lives exactly opposite Aishwarya Restaurant, for introducing me to this cozy spot and its hospitable owner.

Authentic Gavran Cuisine

With only 30 seats, Aishwarya is gaining recognition for serving authentic Gavran, or rustic Maharashtrian, cuisine. Aishwarya herself comes from a traditional farming family, which still owns rice fields in the Mulshi region and grows Gerbera flowers for the market, as well as the special Indrayani rice.

Each Maharashtrian recipe has been carefully prepared by Aishwarya herself, and I can vouch for the delicious results. The food is not overly spiced, and the quantity per thali is substantial. Perhaps the most unique feature is that it’s one of the few places in Pune where you can officially share a thali between two people without any secrecy—making it even more affordable!

The Maharashtrian Thali Experience

Aishwarya offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis, accompanied by the best bhakris and chapatis I have tasted and the finest Indrayani rice, cooked just the way I like it—sticky, reminiscent of my mother's cooking. The mutton thali, in particular, stands out with three different mutton dishes, including keema, and an innovative 'alani' mutton stock soup, which I haven't encountered elsewhere.

Generous Portions and Great Value

The cost of the mutton thali, with its generous portions, is a little over ₹400, but with the option to share it between two people, it becomes an incredible deal at just over ₹200 per person! Similarly, the chicken thali, priced at around ₹300+, offers great value with items like chicken gravy, chicken masala, chicken keema, and alani chicken rice.

The vegetarian thali is equally satisfying, with the star dish being Pithala—a traditional gram flour-based dish, served with a hearty bhakri. Priced at around ₹200, it’s perfect for sharing, offering an authentic taste of rustic Maharashtra.  

Aishwarya’s Special Offerings

For non-vegetarian lovers, the mutton and chicken thalis are a treat, each containing a variety of dishes including soups and gravies. For eggetarians, the egg thali offers a delightful mix of egg curry, egg fry, and boiled eggs, served with rice, bhakri, and raita.

The vegetarian thali is no less impressive, with dishes like baingan masala, dal, Indrayani rice, chapati, and kurdai (a fried wheat-based fritter). The shakahari thali, which costs slightly less, includes paneer masala, mixed vegetables, dal tadka, and jeera rice.

Aishwarya’s roots in farming are evident in the quality of her ingredients, especially the Indrayani rice, which she orders exclusively for her restaurant, sourcing 500 to 600 kilos annually. The restaurant operates for lunch and dinner, from 12 PM to 10:30 PM, with a loyal customer base of locals from the middle-class Maharashtrian colonies.

No Home Delivery: A Personal Touch

Despite her busy schedule, Aishwarya has made it clear that there are no home deliveries—customers must pick up their food directly from the restaurant. This policy helps her maintain control over quality, time, and resources.

Aishwarya’s brother, Rushabh, manages the Mess at Symbiosis, and her uncle runs the Symbiosis Mess as well. It is likely that Aishwarya has learned from her family’s experience, applying it to her own success in running this beloved restaurant with its inexpensive yet hearty thalis.

A Big Heart in a Small Place

Aishwarya Restaurant may be small, but it has a big heart—just like its owner. For anyone looking for real value for both money and taste, Aishwarya’s one-into-two thalis are unbeatable. I, for one, would visit the restaurant five times a week if I lived across from it, just like my friend Pradeep.

Zaikak suggests, “Why not order one non vegetarian special Thali and one vegetarian special Thali from Aishwarya to sample the best of both including the alani rassa and house hit pithala?“

Zaikak suggests, ”If I were you, I would only ask for extra chapati or bhakri or rice, all which are substantial, to help you eat your fill, even if you have ordered a 1 into 2 thali.

Zaikak says, ”You will get real value for both money and taste at Aishwarya restaurant. If like my friend Pradeep Dixit, I was living exactly opposite the restaurant, I would visit Aishwarya probably five times a week.“

So, next time you're in Kothrud, don’t forget to drop by Aishwarya Restaurant and experience the warm hospitality and delicious authentic Maharashtrian cuisine for yourself.