5 hotel restaurants across India serving up the best regional Indian thalis

Think thali and instantly an image of sitting in a crowded local eatery and digging into a large platter brimming with dishes of all kinds comes to mind. But, today, you’ll find a number of chic hotels and resorts all over the country with thalis on the menu. They are shining a light on the oft overlooked regional thalis in the most delicious way possible.

Scroll ahead to discover five properties in India you can savour a local thali at.

Kumaoni thali 

JW Marriott Mussoorie 
When one thinks of pahadi food, stand-alone dishes like til chutney (a sesame-based dip) or gahat ke parathe (horse-gram stuffed flatbread) are what come to mind. But surprisingly, the region also has thalis from different communities that spotlight some of its best traditional stars. At JW Marriott Mussoorie, you can get a taste of Kumaoni food with their curated thali that features local dishes like Kumaoni raita, thhatwani raas (a lentil-based stew), kakoda ki sabji (a dry preparation of spiny gourd), and lesu bhumla, which is a thick flatbread stuffed with finger millets made in winter.

Goan thali  

Coco Shambala
 Craving an authentic Goan thali, complete with your favourite seafood dishes? Then Coco Shambhala’s version will surely hit the spot. If you’re a seafood lover, go for the quintessential fish thali that features the freshest produce and is whipped up by the in-house chefs. And don’t worry, vegetarians and non-fish eaters won’t feel left out—they do versions without fish as well.
 

Tamil Nadu thali

Dakshin, ITC Maratha, Mumbai
Tamil cuisine has rice, legumes, and a blend of spices like curry leaves, tamarind, and pepper as its cornerstones. If one had to divide the state into major food regions, they would be Chettinad, the southern district, Nanjilnadu, and the western Kongunadu district. You’ll find influences from all these four divisions in the Tamil Nadu thali at Dakshin, ITC Maratha. From vazhai shunti, a raw banana dish from Thanjavur, to dakshin yera ( a mild coconut curry), and sweets like badam halwa (almond-based dessert), it features a variety of authentic dishes. 
 

Marwari thali 

Narendra Bhawan, Bikaner
If trying a typical Rajasthani thali is on your list, then The Narendra Bhawan’s thalis, where the dishes vary based on the season, will fit the bill perfectly. Sample local fare like kale chane ki kadhi, papad ki sabzi, aloe vera ki sabzi, served with bajre ki roti, raita and a generous helping of ghee. 

Lead image: Coco Shambala