
Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Akola, Mahārāshtra, India
1. Kandhi Usal
A spicy curry made with green peas and lentils, served with rice or roti. A must-try for spice lovers.
- Spiciness Level: Known for its high level of spiciness, making it a challenge to handle for some visitors.
- Local Ingredients: Prepared using locally sourced green peas and lentils, which add unique flavors.
- Availability: Can be found in local eateries like Maharashtrian Thali restaurants.
2. Akola Bhajji
A popular fried snack made with gram flour and spices. Perfect as a quick bite.
- Crispiness: Known for its crispy exterior, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
- Spiciness: Served with spicy green chutney, adding an extra kick to each bite.
- Availability: Can be found in street food vendors across Akola.
3. Maharashtrian Misal Pav
A hearty dish consisting of spicy masala (mixture) and usal (lentil curry), served with pav (bread).
- Spiciness Level: Known for its high level of spiciness, making it a challenge to handle for some visitors.
- Local Ingredients: Prepared using locally sourced lentils and spices, which add unique flavors.
- Availability: Can be found in local eateries like Misal Pav joints.
4. Poha Jaggery
Flattened rice flakes sweetened with jaggery (unrefined sugar) and seasoned with peanuts, coconut, and spices.
- Sweetness Level: Known for its sweet flavor, making it a perfect breakfast or snack.
- Local Ingredients: Prepared using locally sourced jaggery and flattened rice, which add unique flavors.
- Availability: Can be found in street food vendors across Akola.
5. Akola Kadhi
A yogurt-based dish with gram flour dumplings and vegetables. Served with rice or roti.
- Creaminess Level: Known for its creamy texture, making it a comforting meal.
- Local Ingredients: Prepared using locally sourced vegetables and gram flour, which add unique flavors.
- Availability: Can be found in local eateries like Maharashtrian Thali restaurants.
6. Shrikhand
A sweet yogurt dessert flavored with cardamom and sweetened with sugar or jaggery.
- Sweetness Level: Known for its sweet flavor, making it a perfect dessert.
- Local Ingredients: Prepared using locally sourced yogurt and flavored with cardamom, which add unique flavors.
- Availability: Can be found in sweet shops across Akola.
7. Akola Bhakar Ki Roti
A wheat-based flatbread made with jaggery and whole wheat flour.
- Sweetness Level: Known for its sweet flavor, making it a unique twist to traditional Indian roti.
- Local Ingredients: Prepared using locally sourced jaggery and whole wheat flour, which add unique flavors.
- Availability: Can be found in local eateries like Maharashtrian Thali restaurants.
8. Akola Sheera
A sweet semolina pudding flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts.
- Sweetness Level: Known for its sweet flavor, making it a perfect dessert.
- Local Ingredients: Prepared using locally sourced semolina and flavored with cardamom, which add unique flavors.
- Availability: Can be found in sweet shops across Akola.
9. Akola Shengdana Mithai
A traditional Maharashtrian sweet made with peanuts, jaggery, and dry fruits.
- Sweetness Level: Known for its sweet flavor, making it a perfect dessert.
- Local Ingredients: Prepared using locally sourced peanuts and jaggery, which add unique flavors.
- Availability: Can be found in sweet shops across Akola.
10. Akola Tapal Malai
A rich and creamy milk dessert made with sugar and saffron.
- Creaminess Level: Known for its creamy texture, making it a comforting meal.
- Local Ingredients: Prepared using locally sourced milk and flavored with saffron, which add unique flavors.
- Availability: Can be found in sweet shops across Akola.
11. Akola Amti
A sweet and savory dish made with tur dal and jaggery.
- Sweetness Level: Known for its sweet flavor, making it a unique twist to traditional Indian dal.
- Local Ingredients: Prepared using locally sourced jaggery and tur dal, which add unique flavors.
- Availability: Can be found in local eateries like Maharashtrian Thali restaurants.
12. Akola Aloo Chi Usal
A spicy curry made with potatoes and lentils, served with rice or roti.
- Spiciness Level: Known for its high level of spiciness, making it a challenge to handle for some visitors.
- Local Ingredients: Prepared using locally sourced potatoes and lentils, which add unique flavors.
- Availability: Can be found in local eateries like Maharashtrian Thali restaurants.
13. Akola Varan Bhat
A traditional Maharashtrian meal consisting of toor dal and rice.
- Spiciness Level: Known for its mild level of spiciness, making it a comforting meal.
- Local Ingredients: Prepared using locally sourced toor dal and rice, which add unique flavors.
- Availability: Can be found in local eateries like Maharashtrian Thali restaurants.
14. Akola Mangoshiri
A refreshing drink made with raw mango juice and spices.
- Refreshing Level: Known for its refreshing taste, making it a perfect drink during hot weather.
- Local Ingredients: Prepared using locally sourced raw mangoes and spices, which add unique flavors.
- Availability: Can be found in local eateries across Akola during summer seasons.
15. Akola Tambada Rassa
A spicy curry made with tamarind, jaggery, and various spices.
- Spiciness Level: Known for its high level of spiciness, making it a challenge to handle for some visitors.
- Local Ingredients: Prepared using locally sourced tamarind and jaggery, which add unique flavors.
- Availability: Can be found in local eateries like Maharashtrian Thali restaurants.