Janaseva Bhojanalaya — Restaurant in Pune

Visited this place today afternoon with a NRI friend who was very eager to taste this Janaseva Thali ...

Since it was Sunday afternoon just after Diwali , many customers were in waiting... after waiting for almost 20-30 minutes we got a table....when we were half done with our meal and soon after rice was served they put a "reserved" plate on the table...maybe a typical puneri indication to wind up fast(?) ...thereafter bill was sent immediately to table...they didn't give mere 4-5 minutes to relax on the chairs after we finished your meal ....need to be bit patient for customer to finish and move out...

Though all authentic Maharashtrian menu items, (as usual with all thali restaurants) menu combination is weird..."taak/mattha", "tomato saar", "rabdi" and "aloochi patal bhaaji "(which i did'nt take at all ) , "matar usal" .....whether such combination becomes healthy or not, is a matter of research for dieticians....would suggest mini thali / "healthy thali" option with less number of menu items which compliment each other from balanced diet viewpoint ....

Person serving "rabdi" did not turn up again after first serving.... when this was brought this to the notice of cashier at the time of bill payment he said "you should have specially called him, if you wanted more".... when all other person serving other items came without calling to serve at my table 'n' number of times, why this "rabdi" serving person required special invitation, still wondering....

"Vidyache paan" was kept at billing counter (maybe only on Sundays), ...since not all customers prefer it, would suggest that it should be charged separately and that cost component should be reduced from thali cost..

Sundays and festive season days may be having special season pricing.... pricing is 390+20 GST=410 for dine in and 460 for parcel....considering ambience and other amenities its higher....

Four wheeler parking is a matter of concern...dining hall is on first floor and there is a staircase which may not be possible to climb for senior citizens....if four wheeler parking and lift facilities are available did'nt see any signage about the same...seating arrangement is congested ...owners can take feedback from their serving personnel about the space in gangway...they bump into each other many times....

one parcel has quantity to feed two persons, is a plus point... taste is good..."chapati / poli" and "puri" is soft....oil content can be reduced considerably....since i had also ordered a parcel, when at home I transferred to container, the "batata rassa bhaji" in parcel had released a sumptuous amount of oil.....

overall good, but lot of things need...

Last weekend, on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya, I stumbled upon a hidden gem that turned out to be a true celebration of Maharashtrian culture and cuisine. Tucked away in a modest yet welcoming corner of town, Janaseva Bhojanalaya doesn’t scream luxury—but the moment you step in, the aroma of home-style cooking wraps around you like a warm hug.

I had heard whispers about their authentic Marathi Thali, but nothing prepared me for the culinary experience that followed.

The simplicity in the food was striking—no over-the-top presentation or fusion experiments—just honest, soulful flavors that reminded me of meals cooked in a traditional Marathi household. Every bite felt nostalgic.

But the real showstopper? Phanas Bhaji. I never imagined jackfruit could be transformed into such a flavorful, spice-laced delight. It was rich, rustic, and incredibly satisfying. I asked for a second helping without hesitation.

To my surprise and delight, they were celebrating Akshay Tritiya in a special way—with unlimited Puranpoli and Aamras. It was like being invited to a festive family gathering. The Puranpoli was soft, generously filled with sweet lentil stuffing, and paired perfectly with the chilled, golden Aamras that tasted like summer on a plate.

By the end of the meal, I wasn’t just full—I was content. Spiritually full, if that makes sense.

If you’re someone who craves the typical Maharashtrian authentic taste, this place is a must-visit. It’s not just food; it’s an experience that...

They have one of the best veg thalis in Pune. It is also one of the oldest dining halls in the city. The food is just like food you have at home and its not at all oily and spicy.

Seating is basic and service is fast. You cant order anything specific as they have a set menu and every day the menu is different. You simply sit there and they bring you an empty thali ans start filling it one by one with different food items ranging from starters, appetizers, accompaniments, sabzis, chapati, pickles etc.

In rice you get a couple of options too. Rice is served with generous amounts of desi ghee. One dessert is provided with the thali and you can also order separate if you need more.

One thali cannot be shared between two or more persons. One person can have unlimited servings of any of the items in the thali. The food is very tasty and easy on the stomach. There is a large variety of items to eat and its difficult for an average person to finish one thali.

I could have given it a full five stars but giving one star less because its a bit expensive. (320 rs for one thali)

All in all an amazing Maharashtrian food experience and a must have when you're...