- Known for Large suburb, Paud Road, Student hub
- Pincode 411038
Kothrud is one of the largest residential suburbs of Pune, spread along Paud Road and Karve Road in the west. It has a big student population thanks to nearby colleges, which is why the area is full of affordable eateries, snack joints and cafes. Mayur Colony and Dahanukar Colony are among its best known pockets.
Businesses in Kothrud
Wood fired pizza in a high street format, and the brand runs a Low Cal pizza line that almost nobody else does. Chilli cheese bread and garlic bread with cheesy dip are the sides people order. Around Rs.600 for two.
One of the very few momo places in Pune that also serves cocktails, and it sits right next to City Pride cinema, so it works as a proper sit-down stop rather than a counter. The tandoori momos are the item most reviews single out.
The largest review base of any pizza place in Kothrud. Reviewers consistently say the toppings are generous for what you pay. Alfredo cheese and tandoori paneer are the two most ordered pizzas. Around Rs.500 for two.
The Kothrud branch of the Pune vegetarian cafe chain where the whole menu is built around cheese. Around Rs.300 for two, which makes it one of the cheapest sit-down pizza options in the area.
Crazy Momos built its name on kurkure momos and the crunch is what regulars order it for. The Kothrud shop sits opposite Starbucks on the G.A. Kulkarni stretch. Along with momos there are chilli cheese fries and shakes, so it works as a full snack stop.
A small shop in the Rambaug Colony pocket rather than on the busy Paud Road strip, which makes it calmer than most. Veg tandoori momos are the pick, and fries and mojitos are Rs.99 each. It shuts by 8:30 in the evening.
A full Italian restaurant in Mayur Colony rather than a pizza counter, with a very large review base. The pizzas sit alongside salads and the Tuscan chicken that reviewers name most often.
Open till 3 in the morning and priced for students, with very large pizzas for what you pay. This is the default late night order in the Kothrud college belt.
The Kothrud branch of the Mad Momos chain, which runs a fusion board with Italian, achaari and tandoori fillings alongside the plain steamed plates. Pricing sits in the Rs.150 to Rs.350 for two range depending on what you order.
Open till 5 in the morning, which makes it the late night default in Kothrud. Wood fired pizza boxes stay under Rs.200 and the signature garlic knots at Rs.149 are ordered as often as the pizza itself.
A pure vegetarian shop right by MIT College, built around quantity. Reviews keep mentioning how much paneer and vegetable goes on and the cheese pull. The Manchurian pizza is the item you will not find at a chain. Outdoor seating and free parking.
The Kothrud outlet of the Momo Panda chain, which is built around the Malaysian style momo you will not find on other Pune boards. Six pieces cost around Rs.95, served with mayo and a spicy chutney. Cheese and tandoori versions are the other regulars.
The most reviewed momo outlet in Kothrud by a wide margin, and it stays open till 3 in the morning. Steamed, fried and tandoori versions come in schezwan, Thai and Mexican flavours, and the chocolate momo is the one item nobody else nearby makes.
A long running student favourite near MIT College, known mostly for schezwan momos and for how little it charges. Chicken momos have been quoted as low as Rs.30 a plate. Two people can eat for around Rs.250.
Food Places in Kothrud
Cafe Durga in Rambaug Colony is one of the older breakfast spots in Kothrud. The misal is on the milder side with a good amount of farsan, which suits people who want flavour without a heavy burn. Popular morning stop for families in the area.
A long running snacks counter near the Karve statue in Kothrud, run by the Thorat brothers. It is a simple, no-frills place doing misal and the usual Maharashtrian snacks at low prices for the steady Karve Road crowd.
A Kothrud favourite, especially with students, thanks to pocket-friendly prices. The matki misal comes with fresh fluffy pav and a spicy tarri, and there is a cheese version too. They also serve solkadhi, nimbu paani and cold coffee to cool you down.
Mauli Misal brings the Nashik style of misal to Kothrud, which is thinner and hotter than the Puneri version and comes with a separate bowl of rassa. If you have only eaten Puneri misal so far, this is a good place to taste the difference.
The name says it. Zatka Misal in Kothrud is built for people who want the jolt, with a tarri that hits hard and keeps going. It sits opposite Cosmos Bank and pulls a steady local crowd that knows exactly what it is ordering.
Ice Cream in Kothrud
Naturals is the fruit-first ice cream chain that Pune trusts most. The flavours are made from real fruit with no artificial colour, which is why sitaphal, tender coconut and alphonso mango taste like the fruit rather than an essence. Seasonal flavours come and go with the fruit.
A neighbourhood ice cream shop in Kothrud serving the everyday scoop rather than an elaborate dessert menu. It sits in the residential belt and works as a regular after dinner stop for the families around it.
A Kothrud dessert counter working with frozen yogurt alongside regular ice cream. Frozen yogurt is lighter and tangier than ice cream, which makes it the easier option after a heavy meal.
