The cuisine of Maharashtra has distinctive attributes while sharing much with other Indian cuisines. Traditionally, Maharashtrians consider their food to be more austere than others. Maharashtrian cuisine consists of mild and spicy dishes where usually Peanuts and cashews are often served with vegetables.

Basundi is an Indian sweet especially popular in Maharashtra. It is sweetened condensed milk made by boiling milk on low heat until the milk is reduced by half. Different styles of basundi are also prepared, such as custard apple basundi and angoor basundi.

Bhelpuri is found in abundance in Maharashtra. It is made of puffed rice, vegetables and a tamarind sauce for a tangy taste. Bhelpuri can also be made by sprinkling the puffed rice mixture with chunks of diced raw sweet mango.

Misal Pav is a common snack on the streets of Mumbai . A mouthwatering mixture of tangy and spicy, a close cousin of Pav Bhaji, this one street delight is tasty as well as filling. It consists of misal (a spicy curry usually made with moth beans) and pav. The final dish is topped with sev, onions, lemon and coriander.

Modak is a sweet dumpling that is steamed or fried. Modak is prepared during the Ganesha Festival around August. The sweet filling is made up of fresh-grated coconut and jaggery, while the soft shell is made from rice flour, or wheat flour mixed.

Pav Bhajji consists of a thick vegetable curry served with a soft bread roll. It is essentially a spiced mixture of mashed potatoes in a thick gravy, usually cooked on a flat griddle and served hot with a soft white bread roll.

Vada Pav is called the Indian version of a burger. A delicious, spicy, deep-fried patty made of potato is squeezed between a thick slice of bread, similar to a burger bun and is garnished with green chillies and coriander chutney.