Onam 2025: Top Spots in Pune Serving the Most Talked-About Sadhya

Onam is Kerala’s biggest harvest festival, and in 2025 it is once again being celebrated with joy, food, and tradition. The ten-day festival is marked by pookalam (flower carpets), vallamkali (boat races), folk arts, and the famous Onam Sadhya, a grand vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf. It is a time when families reunite, communities celebrate together, and Kerala’s culture takes center stage across India.

Onam 2025: Dates and key details

This year, Onam is being observed from Tuesday, August 26, to Friday, September 5, 2025, with the main day, Thiruvonam, falling on Friday, September 5, 2025. The Thiruvonam Nakshathram begins at 11:44 PM on September 4 and ends at 11:38 PM on September 5 (Kerala local time). Traditionally, celebrations extend over the weekend with Third Onam (Avittom) on September 6 and Fourth Onam (Chathayam) on September 7, keeping the festive spirit alive.

Onam Sadhya 2025

The Onam Sadhya is one of the most loved parts of the festival. A traditional Sadhya has between 20 and 28 dishes, each carefully balancing sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent flavors. Staples include rice served with parippu (moong dal) and ghee, sambar, rasam, avial, olan, erissery, and kalan. Sides like thoran, pachadi, pickles, banana chips, and sharkara varatti (jaggery chips) make the spread vibrant. The meal ends with payasam or pradhaman, Kerala’s signature desserts—from ada pradhaman to parippu payasam, palada, semiya, and jackfruit-based versions.

For 2025, restaurants and hotels across India are preparing festive Onam spreads to give people a taste of Kerala’s traditions. If you are in Pune, here are the top five places to enjoy a festive Sadhya.

1. Kerala Café, Baner

Known as one of Pune’s most recommended Kerala food spots, Kerala Café is celebrating Onam with elaborate Sadhya. They are offering both 18-course and 25-course Sadhyas, carefully packed and delivered in banana leaves for an authentic feel right at home. The spread features all the classics, from sambar and avial to multiple payasam varieties. Pre-booking a day in advance is a must.

Address: Vasudha House, Near Kamaan, Gaon, Baner, Pune

2. Chopsticks Spice Malabar, Viman Nagar

Chopsticks Spice Malabar keeps things simple but authentic, making it a favorite among Kerala food lovers in Pune. This year, they are serving an Onam Sadhya with 28 dishes. While dine-in isn’t available right now, you can place an order or pick up a takeaway. Expect the full range of Kerala flavors, thoran, olan, rasam, payasam, and more.

Address: 1, Gulmohar Regency, Symbiosis College Road, Viman Nagar, Pune

3. Café Blu – Radisson Blu, Hinjewadi

For a more indulgent festive experience, Radisson Blu’s Café Blu is curating a 24-dish Onam Sadhya. Their spread is designed to showcase Kerala’s rich culinary heritage with favorites like Avial, Kootu Curry, Olan, Pachadi, Thoran, Sambar, Rasam, and Inji Curry. The hotel’s elegant setting makes it perfect for celebrating the festival with family and friends in style.

Address: Radisson Blu, Plot 136/1, Phase 1, Hinjewadi, Pune

4. The Sea Secret, JM Road

If you are looking for a hearty and traditional experience, The Sea Secret is serving a grand Sadhya featuring over 20 Kerala dishes. From tangy sambar and crunchy banana chips to the sweet ending of payasam, the spread captures Kerala’s food culture beautifully. The lively vibe of JM Road adds to the festive mood, making it a good place to celebrate with a group.

Address: R Deccan Mall, 1st Floor, JM Road, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune

Onam is more than just a festival, it’s a celebration of Kerala’s rich culture, food, and togetherness. While the heart of the festivities lies in Kerala, cities like Pune are making sure everyone gets to experience the joy of an authentic Onam Sadhya.