Fakt Malvani offered an outstanding experience for anyone seeking authentic Malvani seafood and regional cuisine. The visit was memorable not just for the quality and flavor of the food but also for the pleasant, attentive service and lively coastal ambiance. As a lover of Indian regional food, especially coastal delicacies, this restaurant ticked all the right boxes in terms of taste, authenticity, and hospitality.
Ambience and Setting
The moment you step into Fakt Malvani, you are transported to the Konkan coast. The interiors are thoughtfully designed with coastal decor—wooden elements, fish motifs, and hanging planters—which add to the rustic charm and warmth of the place. Subtle lighting and traditional wall art further enhance the experience, making it feel like dining at a home on the Konkan coast. Families and groups will feel welcome and relaxed in such a setting.
Starters: Bombil Fry and Pays Soup
The meal started with the classic Bombil Fry (Bombay Duck Fry), which was perfectly crispy on the outside and tender inside, with a mild yet flavorful marination. This is a signature appetizer in Malvani cuisine and Fakt Malvani’s version was spot-on—served hot with a tangy green chutney, it set the tone for the meal. The Pays Soup, a traditional savory-sweet soup made from cow or buffalo colostrum milk, surprised with its delicate texture and unique flavor, bridging the gap between soup and dessert. It was creamy, mildly sweet, and a great palate cleanser.
Main Course: Surmai Thali and Chicken Thali
For the main course, both the Surmai (Kingfish) Thali and Chicken Thali were ordered. The Surmai Thali was the highlight, featuring a generous slice of perfectly fried Surmai, served with Malvani fish curry, steamed rice, chapati, sol kadhi, and accompaniments like pickle and onions. The fish was marinated just right—spicy, tangy, and cooked to perfection, just as it’s meant to be in authentic Malvani style. The fish curry stood out with its coconut base and aromatic spices, making every bite truly soulful.
The Chicken Thali did not disappoint either. It included tender chicken pieces in thick Malvani-style gravy, full of the robust flavors of roasted coconut, red chilies, and local spices. Alongside came soft chapatis, fluffy rice, crispy papad, and other signature thali elements like sol kadhi and chutney, giving a complete, balanced meal.
Dessert: Kharvas
Finishing off with Kharvas was a treat. This dessert, made from colostrum milk, was silky, mildly sweet, and felt light even after a hearty meal. Its subtle cardamom aroma is a classic hallmark and made for a satisfying close to the meal.
Service and Overall Experience
The staff at Fakt Malvani were courteous, attentive, and efficient, ensuring timely service without intruding on the dining experience. Their familiarity with the menu and recommendations for first-timers added to the welcoming vibe. Orders arrived promptly and items were served piping hot—a big plus for anyone particular about freshness.
Final Thoughts
Fakt Malvani is highly recommended to anyone looking for true-blue Malvani cuisine in an authentic setting. The excellent seafood, great local thali options, home-style desserts, and warm service come together for a memorable dining affair. It’s a place that reflects the culinary soul of the Konkan coast and is ideal for both seafood lovers and anyone keen on exploring regional...
Read moreWith the influx of the Malvani restaurants in food Galli of Thane (atleast 1-2 few meters down the road)..This is a revelation. Malvani food is a part of Marathi cuisine which comes from the region of Malvan in the konkan region on Western Maharashtra.
The review is a random visit with family (hence no photos) on a Sunday evening when it was packed. And is self paid.
The restaurant is a little away from the famed Panchpakhadi khau Galli and a small hit and miss restaurant. Had seen a reel of this place on instagram and thought of a visit to try the sea food.
The place has a charming small restaurant ambience with a couple tables outside and 20 pax capacity inside..
The ambience is typical of a Malvani house with small memorabilia of the typical malvani house.
We were greeted enthusiastically and seated and shown the menu. the menu has sea food, chicken, mutton, and veg food malvani style.
We ordered Crab Lollipop - a yummy combination of crab meat wrapped around a crab claw and batter fried starter..and served with a tomato coconut chutney. Loved it.
Second starter was Stuffed Pomfret (Stuffed with Prawns). This was yummy with an entire pomfret filled with small prawns and tawa fried..This was a dish I was wanting to try since some time now! The outside skin of the pomfret was crispy and the prawns inside the pomfret went super well with the pomfret meat.
We wanted to try Squid fry / Squid garlic fry / Tisrya masala. but since we had to try the fish thali this will be for our another visit.
We ordered the Kokam Soda (a truly refreshing drink - something you have to try here!) and Solkadi which was super yummy too.
and with the beverages we ordered our Thalis - Mine was Pomfret thali and others were the Surmai Thali (King Fish) - (There are crab thali, Shellfish thali, bangda aka mackarel thali, veg thali, egg and chicken thali on the menu too).
The pomfret thali had a medium size fried piece of Pomfret, Fish curry with fish piece in it, Solkadi, Sukkat(aka dry shrimps), Coconut chatni, Crunchy bombil, onion, rice, and a option of Single Jowar bhakri / Rice Bhakri. i selected Rice Bhakri.
The Surmai Thali had a decent size fried surmai aka king fish piece, fish curry Fish curry with fish piece in it, Solkadi, coconut chatni, Sukkat(aka dry shrimps), Crunchy bombil, onion, rice, and a option of Single Jowar bhakri / Rice Bhakri. Family selected once a rice bhakri and then Jowar bhakri for the reorder of bhakri.
Both the Thalis were tasty with the fried bombil giving the crunch while the sumkat and solkadhi giving the perfect touch! Fried fish was el dente and the fish curry was perfect not too spicy nor less spicy too. just as one would want.
The service was fast and the order was brought out quickly. As for value for money this place is worth the price and perfect place to satisfy the Fish cravings ala Malvani style.
We definitely will be back to try the other items on the menu as the meal was...
Read moreFakt Malvani is a seafood restaurant located in Thane, known for its authentic Malvani cuisine. The restaurant has a warm and inviting ambiance with a coastal touch. The interior décor is simple yet tastefully done, creating a comfortable and relaxed dining atmosphere. The seating arrangements are well-spaced, allowing for privacy and a pleasant dining experience. The service at Fakt Malvani was prompt and courteous. The staff members were friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and attentive to the needs of the customers. They were quick to assist with any queries or special requests, ensuring a smooth dining experience. Fakt Malvani specializes in Malvani cuisine, particularly seafood dishes. Their menu offers a wide variety of seafood options, including fish, prawns, crab, and more. The dishes are prepared using authentic Malvani spices and flavors, resulting in a delightful culinary experience. During my visit, I tried their signature dish, the Malvani Fish Curry. The curry was rich, aromatic, and packed with flavors. The fish was fresh and perfectly cooked, tender and succulent. The spiciness of the curry was well-balanced, allowing the flavors of the spices to shine through without overpowering the dish. It was served with steamed rice, which complemented the curry beautifully. Apart from the fish curry, I also sampled their Prawns Semolina Fry, which was marinated to perfection and cooked to a juicy and smoky tenderness. The prawns were served with chutney and a side salad, enhancing the overall experience. The portion sizes were generous, ensuring that customers get their money's worth. The prices at Fakt Malvani are reasonable considering the quality and freshness of the ingredients used. However, I would suggest that the restaurant focuses on highlighting its unique selling points, such as the use of authentic Malvani spices, fresh seafood, and the expertise of its chefs. Overall, my experience at Fakt Malvani was delightful. The restaurant offers a welcoming atmosphere, excellent service, and most importantly, delicious seafood dishes. Whether you're a seafood lover or someone looking to try out authentic Malvani cuisine, Fakt Malvani in Thane is definitely...
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