There are several good options to dine at in Ganapatipule. Non-vegetarian food is not served at the places of religious importance but its opposite in the case of Ganpatipule. Good non-vegetarian food is served at the restaurants. There are few options around the MTDC resort. One of such options is the local Khanaval just outside the MTDC Resort run by Kelkars. Many such Khanaval have now sprung up in Ganpatipule and they offer good and genuine Konkani vegetarian food cooked with the typical flavors of coconut, coriander, lime and goda- masala (a spice blend). There is also a MTDC restaurant which serves quality food at reasonable prices. The specialty of the region is the Modak, a dish made up of rice, coconut and jaggery sweet.
There are homes which are now turned into tiny lodges and restaurants. At Ganpatipule a variety of local preparations are served like ambapoli (thin pancakes of crushed and dried mango) and phanspoli (thin pancakes of dried and crushed jackfruit). All kind of food is available in Ganpatipule like Chinese, Continental, and Punjabi etc but they specialize in Konkani cuisines.
Ganapatipule does not put forward much of the shopping offers. Ganapatipule has no shopping centers or malls but have local markets which on offer have goods more than of your basic requirements. You can buy many items to take back home some as souvenirs which include artifacts made of seashells. There are several household and ornamental items made of seashells and are sold here. Kala Niketan just opposite MTDC hotel is famous for its beautiful handicraft items.You can also buy the luscious and scrumptious Konkan products like canned Aamras, jackfruit wafers, kokum sherbet, kokum's, ambapoli (dry mango chapati), fanaspoli (dry jackfruit chapati), cashew nuts, etc. The Konkan region is blessed with several horticultural fruits. During the Summers the region is best known for the variety of mangoes, in fact, the world-famous variety of mango - the devgad ‘hapus’ is found here. One should buy some mangoes, cashew nuts, coconuts, etc.
Dongre’s is the main market of Ganpatipule and is a good place to buy Konkani goods. A recommended must buy is kokum sherbet, which is a sweet-sour drink with mesmerizing pink color. One can also buy the assorted pilgrim – ware which Is available in a row of shops outside the temple.
Kiomoi Must Dos
Try local mango products: There are a few shops near the Main Swayambhu temple that serve mango products. The products are made of local mangoes. One should try the aam papad, also one should buy decorative made from mango tree wood and seeds.
Take a walk: Take a walk down the walkway along the tree-lined boulevards along the hill. The walkway consisting of coconut palms, casuarinas, and mango, jackfruit and other fruit trees suddenly emerges onto a cliff with the blue sea below.
Shopping: the region is famous for its finest horticultural fruits. One should shop for the fruits like jackfruit, cashewnuts, coconuts etc. also the world famous variety of mangoes - the Devgad `hapus` mango is found here.
Visit Patit Pawan Mandir: The temple is one of its kinds. It’s the first temple to be built for non – Brahmins by S. Savarkar at Ratnagiri.
Visit Lokmanya`s house: Ratnagiri is also known to be the birthplace of Lokmanya Tilak, one of the well-known freedom fighter of India. -`Tilak Smarak` (Tilak Monument) is constructed at his place.
Picnic: Jaigad fort is a perfect place to picnic. The fort is located on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Sangameshwar River converging into the Arabian Sea.
Try the local stuff: One should try the local Kokum Sherbet, sweet and sour drink with mesmerizing pink color. Also, try the local sweets made of Besan and Coconut especially the Coconut Laddus.
Splash in the water: A water sports center has been build by MTDC complete with water scooters, boats, kayaks, etc. Have a splash in the water.
Watch the sunset: the sunset here is very beautiful, spilling its rich orange and golden color over the gentle, white-fringed waves. Seeing sunsets over here is considered to be special.
Try the Maharashtrian Thalis: One should also try the local Maharashtrian Thalis served at several restaurants. The Thalis comprise of four roti’s, five types of vegetables, rice, dal, curry, papad, sweet, fried bhujias and taak (buttermilk).
