Matheran has no cars, no bikes, no auto-rickshaws, and absolutely zero shortage of good food. The moment you step off the toy train at Matheran station and start walking, the hill station makes one thing very clear: the city’s dining options feed you well between the trails.
I spent three days here recently, wandering the red laterite paths, hopping between viewpoints, and eating far more than any walking holiday justifies. Here’s what kept me going.
Chikki — The Snack That’s Everywhere (For Good Reason)
You cannot walk ten steps on MG Road without a chikki stall catching your eye. Matheran is genuinely famous for its chikki, and after trying it here, you’ll understand why the packed versions you find at railway stations never taste the same.
The peanut chikki is the classic crunchy, sweet, just the right amount of jaggery. But the cashew and coconut versions are also worth picking up. I bought a few hundred grams from a stall near the central market on MG Road and finished half of it before reaching Panorama Point. Excellent trail food, dense, energising, and it fits in your pocket.
Vada Pav — Simple, Hot, Perfect
If you’re hiking on the many trails around Charlotte Lake or returning from the top of One Tree Hill Point after visiting that area, you need something that fits both criteria: warm and fulfilling! Vada Pav hits the spot every single time.
Various small food stands between the market area and the larger market have vada pav available for purchase all day long. A vada is made from a spiced mashed potato mixture deep-fried with a popular type of flour called gram flour (both gluten-free), wrapped inside fluffy white bread (pav). It typically has some type of green spread (green chutney) and crushed garlic powder on it.
I had my first two vada pavs mid-morning and a third after my last viewpoint of the day, and a cup of ginger tea from the same stand, for a refreshing ending to my journey!
Misal Pav — The Proper Sit-Down Fuel
Misal pav in Matheran is a more relaxed affair compared to the chaos of Pune-style misal joints. The version you get here is a spiced moth bean curry topped with farsan, served with soft pav on the side.
There are a handful of small eateries and dhabas around the main market and the road leading up from the Dasturi car park. Most of them offer misal as a complimentary breakfast or early lunch item. It’s filling, warming, and exactly the kind of food that makes sense in a hill station where the mornings are cool and the walks are long.
I had misal at a small dhaba near the bazaar and finished every drop of the gravy. The heat from the curry stays with you well into a two-hour forest loop.
Café Stops — Where You Sit Down and Breathe
Matheran has a few cafés that are worth knowing about, especially when you want to sit down properly rather than eat on your feet.
For instance, Ruchira Restaurant on MG Road is a reliable option for a fuller meal. They offer delicious thali and South Indian items alongside the usual hill station café fare. It gets busy on weekends, so go early.
Moreover, Lord’s Central Hotel has a café area that’s comfortable for a slower and more relaxed experience. Their tea and snacks are solid, and the setting is pleasant enough that you’ll end up staying longer than planned.
For something lighter, the smaller tea stalls along MG Road near Louisa Point serve biscuits, toast, and masala chai. Nothing fancy, but a good cup of tea on a quiet road is genuinely lovely.
A Word on Where You’re Staying
The right hotels in Matheran set up the food experience too. Most are walking distance from MG Road, which means the chikki stalls, the vada pav vendors, and the café stops are all within easy reach.
Matheran is small, car-free, and genuinely unhurried. The food here is just good, honest, and perfectly suited to the city’s relaxed pace.