With Onam just around the corner, the best way to feast on an Onam Sadya is to get invited over by a Malayali friend. The second best? Artistically curated Onam Sadya feasts at South Indian restaurants across the country. Whether you want a no fuss simple traditional meal, or are looking for something unique, these Onam Sadya restaurants have something for everyone this year.
For the uninitiated, Onam Sadya is the wholesome meal that best symbolises the festival. Onam signifies the homecoming of King Mahabali, who is said to be the generous and devoted ruler in what was the golden age of the region. But apart from the cultural and mythological connect, Onam also marks the end of monsoon and the beginning of the harvest season, and what better way to celebrate that than with food. Traditionally consisting of 26-28 vegetarian dishes, Onam Sadya is a beautiful blend of flavours, ranging from the fresh pachadis to tangy rasam to sweet pradhaman. The best part about Onam Sadya is how despite the dishes being more or less the same, it’s just a bit different at every next place, making every meal an experience to cherish.

1. Kappa Chakka Kandhari, Chennai

Blessed with his 30-year-long experience in the industry, Chef Regi Mathew’s Kappa Chakka Kandhari is one of the best places in the country outside Kerala to experience the state’s cuisine, if not the best. A beautiful mix of nuanced and simple, Kappa Chakka Kandhari is known to host the doyenne of Mappila cuisine, Ummi Abdullah, and at the same time, their very regular homely dishes will tease your nostrils as you pass by the establishment. Their Onam Sadya, which this year will be September 14th and 15th, are easily some of the best you’ll have in the city. Apart from dine-in, they also have Onam Sadya takeaways, and if only dessert is what you crave, KCK also has Onam special payasams.
Where: Marlen Mahal, Eco Park, Chetpet, Kilpauk, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600010
When: 14th and 15th September, 2024
How much: Rs 1390 per person

2. Savya Rasa, Pune

One of the most awarded South Indian restaurants in the country, Savya Rasa is one of the best places for Onam Sadya in Pune. The best part about Onam Sadya at Savya Rasa is that while other eateries limit the feast to a day or two, here you can enjoy a good Onam Sadya from the 12th to the 16th of September. Situated in the lush green Koregaon Park, Savya Rasa is offering both dine-in as well as takeaway options.
Where: Gera Serenity Building, CTS No. 15, near Starbucks Cafe, Koregaon Park, Pune, Maharashtra 411001
When: 12th to 16th September, 2024
How much: Rs 1495 per person

3. Mahabelly, Delhi

Whether Mahabelly is the best place to sample Malabar cuisine in Delhi NCR or not is debatable, experiencing their Onam Sadya at least once in your lifetime? Absolutely not. One of the first places in Delhi NCR that started offering a decadent Onam Sadya a few years ago, Mahabelly is a crowd favourite, and it's easy to see why. As is the case with nearly all the Onam Sadya restaurants on this list, Mahabelly also needs a prior reservation, and it’s one that sells out pretty quickly.
Where: M9, First Floor, M Block Market, Greater Kailash 2 (GK 2), New Delhi 110048
When: 13th to 16th September, 2024
How much: Rs 1350 per person

4. Kari Apla, Mumbai

A really small eatery in Khar, Kari Apla shifts the focus towards the much lesser talked about non-vegetarian Onam Sadya. Chefs Ebaani Tewari and Mathew Varghese have curated a 20-dish Onam Sadya that perfectly pairs the festive meal and non-vegetarian delights from Malabar. The eatery is anyway known for their fun take on traditional recipes, and when they offer an Onam Sadya with Prawn Peera and Koonthal Masala, we think missing it would be just stupid. And it really is that exquisite, there are only three batches of the feast, and prior reservations for the 20-seater restaurant are required.
Where: Shop no 5, Mangal Bhavna, Khar Pali Rd, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400052
When: 15th September, 2024
How much: Rs 2000 plus taxes, per person

5. Salt Mango Tree, Bengaluru

One of the older eateries on this list, Salt Mango Tree is a great place to enjoy Onam Sadya in Bangalore. The Indiranagar-based eatery offers not only dine-in but Onam Sadya takeaways as well as only Payasam boxes. The best part about the Onam Sadya food here is that it is as close as it gets to the feeling of enjoying a meal at home. Simple, chic, and fuss-free, Salt Mango Tree is a no-brainer for Onam Sadya food in Bangalore.
Where: #954, 2nd Floor, 12th Main Road, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560038
When: 9th to 17th September, 2024
How much: Rs 600 onwards

6. ITC Kakatiya’s Dakshin, Hyderabad

An interesting blend of the old and the new, ITC Kakatiya’s Dakshin is a South Indian food lover’s delight. The restaurant boasts of a wide variety of dishes, cuisines, and well as cooking techniques being covered in their menu. It is also one of the best places for Onam Sadya in Hyderabad, and the most luxurious too. In comparison to other Onam Sadya restaurants, however, Dakshin’s meal comes in a set, either for two or for four. Even more the reason to don your best attire and head to the restaurant with your loved ones to enjoy the much-loved Kerala food, Sadya.
Where: 6 -3 -1187, Teachers Colony, Greenlands, Begumpet, Hyderabad, Telangana 500016
When: 6th to 15th September, 2024
How much: Rs 2400 plus taxes, for two

7. Ente Keralam, Chennai

This Chennai establishment, much loved for their Kerala-style food, is doing Onam Sadya feasts with a purpose. A part of their Onam Sadya 2024 funds will go to rebuilding Wayanad, and whether you want Kerala food Sadya, or specifically the Onam Sadya, they have it all this week. Apart from dine-in, their Onam Sadya takeaways are also a great option if you’d like to relish the feast from the comfort of your home.
Where: No.61, 5th Ave, Shanthi Colony, Anna Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600040
When: 7th to 17th September, 2024
How much: Rs 599 onwards, per person

8. OMO, Delhi

This is OMO Cafe’s first time on the list of Onam Sadya restaurants and a special one at that. Mumbai-based Chef Marina Balakrishnan has curated a 30-dish Onam Sadya for the Gurugram-based ingredient-first vegetarian eatery. The plant-based chef finds her roots in Thalassery, and her food is inspired heavily by the nuanced but very homely fare that came out of her grandmother’s kitchen. With her time-honoured recipes, this Onam Sadya in Delhi is the closest you’ll be to the authentic ones in Kerala.
Where: R-004, 2nd Floor, DLF, Galleria Market, Sector 28, DLF Phase IV, Gurugram, Haryana 122002
When: 6th and 7th September, 2024
How much: Rs 3950 plus taxes, per person

9. Nair On Fire, Mumbai

Of course, there are many Onam Sadya restaurants in Mumbai, with spreads as delicious as possible, none of them can boast of what Nair On Fire does, however. Creating a special twist on Kerala food Sadya recipes, Nair On Fire offers two Onam Sadya variants, vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian, but both are made out of superfoods. For Mumbaikars who’d love to host people over Onam Sadya, Nair On Fire delivers too.
Where: Peter Apartment, Rebello Rd, Mount Mary, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
When: 6th to 8th, and 14th-15th September, 2024
How much: Rs 1795 onwards per person

10. Hosa, Goa

While there are many eateries in major cities offering Onam Sadya, if you’re looking for Onam Sadya in Goa, Hosa is just the place to be. Chef Harish Rao is known to experiment with local ingredients and blend them perfectly with international recipes, so you know you’re in for a feast like no other if you’re headed to Hosa for Onam Sadya. Reservations are required here, so make sure you do that.
Where: House no.60/1, Irada Home, Vaddy, near St. Anthony’s Church, Siolim, Bardez, Goa 403517
When: 13th to 15th September, 2024
How much: Price on request

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Each year, Onam brings in different menus and celebrations at a variety of eateries across the country. Apart from the aforementioned places, you can check out Sheraton Grand and JW Marriott's Spice Kitchen for Onam Sadya in Pune; Carnatic Cafe's multiple outlets in Delhi NCR are also great options, and Padmanabham brings in the decor too, making it perfect not only for great Onam Sadya food in Delhi NCR but also pictures.

If you're in Mumbai, The Bombay Canteen is also known for its Sadya, and Thangabali with its multiple branches makes for an easily accessible place to have Onam Sadya in Mumbai. In Bengaluru, you can also check out No. 10 Fort Cochin, and Hyderabad's Hyatt Gachibowli also has the Onam Sadya feast planned. Lastly, if you're in Kochi, and haven't yet scored an invite to a family-hosted Onam Sadya meal, you can have your fill at Palaaram Kadavanthra. Happy feasting!