Pune on My Plate: How city’s newer South Indian restaurants have gone beyond idli, dosa to offer reimagined fare

Savya Rasa

Located in Koregaon Park, Savya Rasa is known for its specific interpretation of South Indian cuisine. The restaurant’s menu draws inspiration from foods across the regions of Chettinad, Kongunadu, Malabar, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Nellore and the Nasrani community.

Among its most noted dishes are the neer dosa paired with kori gassi, bun parotta served with Pollachi-style meat curry, Chettinad milagu kozhi and desserts such as elaneer payasam and karupatti halwa. Focused on authentic cooking styles and recipes, Savya Rasa has repeatedly received recognition in national restaurant rankings, bringing the flavours of the South to the city of Pune.

Among Savya Rasa’s most noted dishes are the neer dosa paired with kori gassi, bun parotta served with Pollachi-style meat curry, Chettinad milagu kozhi (pictured above) and desserts such as elaneer payasam and karupatti halwa. (Express Photo)

Bangalore Canteen

Tucked away in the busy streets of Karve Nagar, Bangalore Canteen serves more than just the traditional Bangalore dosa. Specialising in Bengaluru tiffin food, its menu centres on dosas, idlis and filter coffee, with ghee podi idli, ghee onion-garlic dosa, bisibelebath and curd rice among its most ordered dishes.

The standout item, however, is its signature filter coffee soft serve. The dessert mirrors the flavour profile of traditional filter coffee, while incorporating the sweetness and texture of a soft serve, something which keeps patrons coming back for more. This move of turning a familiar beverage into a dessert sets Bangalore Canteen apart from other South Indian restaurants in Pune, where such new twists on traditional drinks remain comparatively unexplored.

The standout item at Bangalore canteen is its signature filter coffee soft serve. (Express Photo)

Gatti Chutney

Gatti Chutney has carved out a distinct identity in Pune’s South Indian food landscape by bringing a true Bengaluru-style breakfast experience to the city. Known for its signature thatte idlis, the eatery has quickly become a favourite among early risers, opening its doors at 7 am to serve steaming plates of idlis paired with freshly ground pudi. Its most popular dish, the ghee pudi thatte idli, comes drenched in warm ghee and coated in a house-made spiced powder, rarely found elsewhere in Pune.

Alongside this, the ghee pudi masala dosa and ghee plain dosa have developed a loyal following while staying true to Karnataka’s traditional recipes. Paired with a strong cup of filter coffee, the experience captures the warmth and nostalgia of Bengaluru, making Gatti Chutney, with outlets in Baner, Kharadi and Koregaon Park, one of Pune’s most unique South Indian breakfast spots.

Mallu Stories

“Kerala on a plate” is how a regular described this eatery. Mallu Stories on Dhole Patil Road brings a focused slice of Kerala cuisine to Pune. With a menu that leans towards everyday Malayali comfort food rather than festival specials or fusion dishes, it serves rice-based meals with sambar and rasam, alongside side dishes such as porottas, stews, biryanis and a range of meat and seafood curries.

The eatery emphasises home-style flavours with coconut-based gravies and tempered vegetables rather than elaborate restaurant-style preparations. By basing its menu on regional dishes, Mallu Stories focuses on the quality and authenticity of the meals, making it a staple for Malayali residents in Pune while also going beyond the regular dosa and idli format.

Sanika Deshpande is an intern with The Indian Express.