Ganapatipule pretty much sums up the philosophy of us Indian foodies – Thank the lord, Dive into food, Take a chill pill! So next time you drive through the scenic Western Ghats to this idyllic temple town to pay your respects to the modak loving God, don’t miss the awesome seafood on offer.
The cuisine of this region has perfected the art of pairing natural flavours of seafood with local spices to elevate the experience of every morsel to a cherished memory. To savour the trademark tasty simplicity, steer clear of snazzy AC restaurants at trendy resorts and head to these local favourites.
1. Sameer
This innocuous looking “hotel” is a true hidden gem. Turn right just before the toll gate at the main entrance to Ganapatipule and keep a lookout on your right – it’s just about 200 metres down the hill. Simple tables and benches adorn a small, open on two sides room. The fun fact of this place is a glass topped display of the menu, made of clay models – what you see is what you get!! The Surmai & Bangda fry, Pomfret and Kombli (Prawns) are to die for. Be patient once you’ve ordered because everything is made fresh and brought hot to the table.
2. Tarang
Tarang is part of the MTDC hotel at Ganapatipule. Situated bang opposite the temple complex, the sea food is fresh and cooked true to the local culture. The prawn preparations are fantastic – especially the Koliwada fry which is beautifully tangy, crunchy and spicy. The gravy items tend to be a little heavy on the oil, but still very tasty. The thalis are generous but leave out some of the really nice dishes on the a la carte menu. Stay away from a lengthy list of Chinese and North Indian dishes and stick to the local seafood fare.
3. Shree Krupa
Shree Krupa is also very close to the toll gate to Ganapatipule and is actually right next to Sameer. The seafood gravy dishes here are surprisingly light, low on oil and a perfect complement to rice and papad. They will make it extra spicy for you if you ask for it. The solkadhi is very nice and is a perfect complement to the spicy fish. This place offers more choice of fish but not all dishes are consistently good.
