Mahabaleshwar can be a vegetarian�s delight. Probably the best meals one can have here are Gujarati thalis. The two places we recommend are at Rajesh Hotel situated off the bazaar just before you take the turn to go down to the Lake, and the other is at Hotel Dreamland.

Apart from a very enjoyable thali that Dreamland serves, it also offers good accommodation in natural and lush surrounding. Just 80 rooms, cottage style, set in 23 acres of ancient trees.

Here you will find all the amenities one would expect in a good hotel. So in addition to a swimming pool you also get a health club, with steam, sauna and jaccuzi. The works! But we concentrated on the food aspects of Dreamland. And while they have on offer Punjabi, Chinese, Mexican menus, it is their thalis we recommend, both Gujarati and Jain. And you don�t have to be in residence to eat here.

They also serve walk-ins for lunch and dinner, in their huge dining room like restaurant. The thali comprises two veggies, one dal, one cereal, two farsans, one sweet dish, curd, rice and chappatis. Unlimited and for just Rs. 110. The pure ghee which is generously poured over your rice and chappati is made inhouse. The vegetables come from their very own backyard, "organically grown, and only enough for our own consumption", says Mr. Tejani Sr., the proprietor.

The thali changes every day. So even if you stay there for a week, you will end up eating different dishes every day. They specialise in jowar and bajri rotis but are famous for Aam Ras Puri.