*2015 update* Please call all restaurants for this year’s dates/options/costs.

Onam Sadya is one of the best meals to have especially for a vegetarian. It comprises of around 20 – 35 dishes, each of them delicious and it’s the best of Mallu cooking for a vegetarian! And for once, the vegetarian is KING! If I lived in Chennai I would head to Sanjeevanam, they have the best spread even on normal days, so on Onam it’s simply wow. You reach their on your two feet and need to be carried out. Possibly with the top buttons of your pant removed, and the nada of your sari or salwar loosened! But let’s come back to Mumbai and my city of residence.

I googled to find a range of Kerala restaurants. Did some initial choosing based on photographs and reviews. Then called up each of the places on List 2, found out the cost, range of dishes and if they will definitely serve ada pradhaman. Yes, it is a basic part of Onam Sadya, but I didn’t want even one of them to say they don’t have it 🙂 All you need to do is figure out the place closest to you and the kind of place you want. I have linked all of the hotels to Zomato, except one which isn’t on Zomato! [Why Zomato? My first boss has just moved there as CMO, so this ‘loyalty’ is for him!]

© sandeep verma (sandeepvarma.com/tag/grand-onam-ela-sadhya/)

One of the most expensive places to celebrate this legendary meal is at Dhoop. Small Fry & Co have organised a pop-up meal on Sunday. It sounds totally brilliant, but at the same time hope “Bandra” doesn’t highjack it!
organiser: sneha nair of poppaddum catering service
date: 7th sunday
time: two sittings – 12 and 2.30 pm.
cost: veg/non-veg – 1200/1500
reservations: thesecretingredient@smallyfryco.com

Fort: Deluxe Hotel
One of the oldest and most famous Kerala restaurants in this city! If you want more information to help you make that decision, check out Finely Chopped’s post on Deluxe.

date: 7th sunday, till midnight
cost: rs. 370
only veg. 30 dishes.
no reservation needed

Fort: Taste of Kerala
Just next to Hotel Deluxe – if you can fit it all into your stomach, make it a double date!

date: 7th sunday, till midnight
cost: rs. 350
only veg. 33 dishes
no reservation needed

Bandra-East: Rice Boat (addition by Purvi – read her comment below for her review on this place) 
date: 6th & 7th sunday all day long.
cost: Rs. 750
only veg. 30 dishes.
no reservation needed.

Andheri-East: Just Kerala
date: 7th sunday from 11.30 till 3.30 – on a banana leaf. 8th & 9th as a buffet.
cost: Rs. 600
only veg. 25 dishes

*Updated* 2015’s poster for the Onasadya at Just Kerala click here.

Just learnt that Andheri-East is the Dubai of Mumbai! If you know what I mean. There are SO many Keralite restaurants here. Check out this great article up at Mumbai Boss.

Andheri-East: Saptami at Holiday Inn
Seems like a typical 5-star experience, i would avoid this one. but if you like those kind of surroundings then this is a must-do!

date: 5th – 7th from noon to 3pm.
cost: Rs. 599
only veg. number of dishes “depends on the chef ma’am, I can’t really tell you.” 
no reservation needed

Powai: Murali Hotel
date: 6th – 8th from noon till evening.
cost: Rs. 260
only veg. 20 – 22 dishes
no reservation needed

A super sweet owner picked up the phone and chatted like he already knew me… he signed off with the sing-song mallu Wokay Wokay aajaayyye! Please note, this is a very basic place and a very tiny room. So if you are not finicky about conditions then check this out.Unfortunately it’s not listed on Zomato, and on Burrp there are no photos. But supposed to serve great food!

Sneha at Mahim is a good option too, but this year they are not celebrating for a personal reason.

You could always go to Mani’s at Matunga. They also serve an Onam Special with around 30 dishes but I’ve heard from a foodie friend that it wasn’t good last year. I would definitely trust them with good Tamil food, so go there on Pongal. That’s my advice (Yes, I am Tamil so you can trust me on that!)

I wanted to use Meal Tango but sadly, the Onam special at  Sneha’s house in Bandra East is sold out for this weekend! It’s still Onam month and Sneha will be serving the Onam special all month long. So I’ve booked a slot for 21st Sunday. You can book your slot here.

I plan to eat myself silly at Just Kerala this Sunday and will dream about pradhaman till then! What about you?

P.S. If you come across more places in Mumbai do let me know. Thanks!