I was searching Marathi Food Restaurants in Mumbai or Best Maharashtrian Restaurants in Mumbai, and the very first result shown by Google was Mi Marathi Restaurant with more than 3,000 Google reviews.
I decided to visit. It is on Google Maps.
Mi Marathi is situated at Shop No. 5, Alpha Apartment, Parleshwar Rd, Vile Parle East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400057.
As I entered the restaurant, I saw two types of seating arrangements. One is non-air-conditioned and another one is air-conditioned. Not fully packed, maybe because it was a weekday. I went straight into the air-conditioned hall.
The menu was already on the table written in the Marathi language, but do not worry as waiters are ready to guide you.
I was hungry. I read – आमटी भात (Amti Bhat).
भात is rice – I can guess.
I also want something to drink.
I placed the order along with कोकम सरबत (Kokum Sharbat) – another favourite chilled drink mostly available in coastal regions of India.
Within minutes, आमटी भात (Amti Bhat) was served hot.
आमटी is तुअर दाल i.e., Pigeon Pea.
How was it?
As similar to rice, dal we normally have in any Indian home.
I was hungry a lot. I requested the waiter to suggest what should I eat next?
Thalipeeth – He suggested.
OK – said I with one more chilled glass of कोकम सरबत (Kokum Sharbat).
Within minutes, Thalipeeth was served hot with a spoon of white butter and curd.
That’s nice – a thought. I love white butter.
The very first bite of Thalipeeth and I said – Wow. Delicious. Never had before.
Upon query, the waiter enhanced knowledge about Thalipeeth.
It is made from multi-grain flour and onion.
I was very happy, especially because I love traditional food, which is rare to find these days.
After Thalipeeth with white butter, I requested स्पेशल चहा (Special Tea).
To be honest, स्पेशल चहा (Special Tea) was Okay but the most favourite was Thalipeeth.
I requested to present the bill and was surprised – Rs. 287 only/- including CGST and SGST.
Thalipeeth – Rs. 80, स्पेशल चहा – Rs. 38, 2 glasses of कोकम सरबत (Kokum Sharbat) – Rs. 70 and आमटी भात – Rs. 85/- only.
Thalipeeth is now one of my favourite traditional Marathi food. And I wish to visit Mi Marathi restaurant again.
I requested one of my friends – Tukaram to join me on Sunday to visit Mi Marathi restaurant which serves one of the most delicious Thalipeeth I ever had.
He accepted the request, and on Sunday we were again at Mi Marathi restaurant to have one of the best Thalipeeth.
On Sunday, the restaurant was almost full.
Again we entered the air-conditioned hall and requested Thalipeeth and chilled कोकम सरबत (Kokum Sharbat).
This time they took little time to serve it but when it was served – it was hot and crispy with a spoon full of white butter.
While having Thalipeeth, I shared a thought with Tukaram and that was – Thalipeeth can also be served with Pure Ghee.
He agreed. Tukaram said – Thalipeeth is usually the best during the winter season.
Yep – I agree.
We finished Thalipeeth but there was a desire to have one more plate of Thalipeeth. What say – Tukaram?
And I placed the order.
This time we shared Thalipeeth. Total – 3 plates of Thalipeeth we had as it was one of the best traditional Marathi dishes.
And the request for the bill.
Rs. 326/- only including CGST and SGST for two people. You can easily say – it is one of the budget restaurants in Mumbai Suburban.
3 plates of Thalipeeth – Rs. 240/- and 2 Kokam Sharbat – Rs. 70/-.
Mi Marathi is a 30 years old vegetarian Marathi restaurant open from 9 am to 11 am for breakfast, 11 am till 3 pm for lunch, and 7 pm to 10 pm for dinner (All days open).
I remember, Tukaram suggested to try वांग्याचे भरीत (Vangyache Bharit) someday. It is a must-try Marathi dish. He also enhanced knowledge that Thalipeeth is also known as Bhajani Che Thalipeeth and Dahi Dhapathe.
Fantastic – knowledge enhanced.
Mi Marathi restaurant is also known as New Mi Marathi. Don’t be confused.
In short, if you like traditional authentic Marathi food, then please visit Mi Marathi restaurant at Vile Parle (East) in Mumbai Suburban. The rates are very reasonable, and the food is almost like homemade.
It is a few minutes’ walking distance from Vile Parle (East) railway station situated almost opposite Parleshwar temple.
There is no toilet inside the restaurant, but you can use the building toilet which is behind the restaurant.
The staff is well-behaved and mostly Marathi if I am correct.
There is ample space for parking, especially for two-wheelers.
Mi Marathi restaurant does not accept card payments. Why? I don’t know.
Mi Marathi restaurant is equally as good as Aaswad – Marathi restaurant at Dadar in Mumbai, which I visited in the year 2020. Both restaurants have a reasonably priced menu. And not to forget – They also serve fasting dishes.