Your Guide To Doing Strawberry Season Right: Where To Eat, Pick & Shop

Strawberry season is finally here, bringing with it the sweetest stretch of winter. It’s the time when the air feels lighter, weekend plans slow down, and small seasonal pleasures take centre stage. Cafes begin rolling out limited-edition menus, dessert counters turn shades of red, and hillside farms open their gates to visitors eager to pick berries. Even everyday grocery shopping carries a hint of excitement. The season invites you to pause, to taste something fresh, spend time outdoors, and enjoy winter at an unhurried pace. 

If you're on the same page as us, and share the sentiment, we've got a no-fuss guide just for you. From cafes and bakeries serving their best strawberry creations to farms where you can pick your own fruit, cosy stays that turn the harvest into a getaway, and trusted brands worth stocking up on, this guide brings it all together. 

Strawberry Menus To Try This Season

1. Poetry by Love & Cheesecake

Poetry by Love & Cheesecake turns strawberry season into a full celebration with its annual Fresh Strawberry Menu, a vibrant mix of indulgent desserts and playful dishes. Their dessert lineup feels like a greatest-hits collection: Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake, Strawberry Tiramisu, Strawberry Tres Leche, Strawberry Biscoff Cheesecake, Strawberry Kunafa with Chocolate & Pistachio, and a delicate Strawberry Cheesecake Tart. For those who love a twist, the cafe also brings a refreshing savoury side, Strawberry & Goat Cheese Bruschetta, Strawberry Walnut Salad, Strawberry pancakes, and even a Strawberry Matcha Iced Latte. Available across all Poetry outlets, it’s the most extensive strawberry menu in the city this year.

Where: Across all 25 outlets of Poetry by Love & Cheesecake in Mumbai & Pune

2. Parsi Dairy Farm

Parsi Dairy Farm welcomes strawberry season with Nostalgic Touch, a charming range of winter treats rooted in tradition. Their White Chocolate Strawberry Centered Cookies come with a soft, jammy heart, while the White Chocolate Strawberry Kaju Katli adds a fruity turn to a classic mithai. The Strawberry Kulfi is slow-swirl with real strawberry slices, and the Strawberry Yogurt makes for a simple, comforting snack. Each treat is available across their stores in Mumbai, keeping old-school sweetness alive through the season.

Where: Parsi Dairy Farm, Marine Lines, Mumbai

3. Hotel Marine Plaza 

Strawberry season with the twist of coastal elegance feels atmospheric at Hotel Marine Plaza, where winter light meets the Arabian Sea. Their menu opens with a timeless Strawberry Tart and a rich, slow-cooked Strawberry Cheesecake. Lighter desserts like Strawberry Gelato and a crisp Strawberry Basil Cooler match the breezy Marine Drive mood. New additions, a Roasted Strawberry Croissant, Strawberry & Burrata Salad, and the layered Strawberry Shortcake Entremet, bring a refined, global touch while keeping the Strawberry at the centre of every plate.

Where: Hotel Marine Plaza, Marine Lines, Mumbai

4. Toujours 

Toujours unveils its Berry Sweet Dessert Collection, a gorgeous French-style celebration of fresh strawberries. The Strawberry Millefeuille stands tall with its crisp pastry and vanilla cream, while the Strawberry Creme Brulee Tart brings elegance to every bite. Their signature Strawberry Tart pairs almond cream with strawberry gel and mascarpone, and the Fresh Cream Strawberry Cake keeps things light and airy. For gifts and celebrations, the Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and Chocolate Strawberry Cake make decadent seasonal picks. The collection is available for pre-order across Mumbai.

Where: Toujours, Andheri West, Mumbai

5. Wildflower Bakehouse 

Wildflower Bakehouse leans into a playful, slightly whimsical mood with its seasonal strawberry menu with a wild twist.. The bakes are familiar yet intentionally surprising, a refreshed take on cakes, vibrant jams, and bakes that feel dramatic without being overdone. It’s their way of breaking the rules gently, letting strawberries show off their fun, slightly unpredictable side.

Where: Wildflower Bakehouse,Santacruz East, Mumbai

6. Zane’s Cafe & Pet Spa

Zane’s introduces a cosy Christmas menu where strawberries sit alongside festive classics. Winter Berry Pancakes, Panna Cotta with Strawberries, rich mousse, and a warm Christmas Sundae capture the season’s comfort. The menu stretches across small plates, mains, and a long list of drinks, including their three-part Unreal X’mas Hot Chocolate Flight and a peppermint-topped Grinch Matcha. It’s a holiday treat for guests and their furry companions alike.

Where: Zane Cafe, Railway Colony, Lower Parel, Mumbai 

7. Vanilla Beans 

Vanilla Beans brings back its beloved Nutella Strawberry Cake, a citywide favourite, now also available as single-serve tubs. This season, they introduce cult classics specials, Nutella Strawberry Krispy Kunafa and the Strawberry Crunchy Crumble, each built with layers of fresh berries, Nutella, and house-made crunchy elements. Their full collection ranges from Belgian Dark Chocolate Strawberry and Biscoff Strawberry to classic Strawberry Cheesecake, with vegan and sugar-free options too. It’s one of the strongest strawberry dessert drops in Mumbai every year.

Where: Vanilla Beans, Patkar Blocks, Bandra West, Mumbai 

8. A Very Berry Christmas – Curated Strawberry Specials Across the City

This festive dessert edit brings together strawberry creations from several standout spots

• Frozen Fun

Frozen Fun keeps things classic with its Strawberry & Cream Gelato, a simple pairing that never goes out of style. The gelato is smooth and refreshing, letting the fruit shine without overpowering it, making it a reliable pick for those who like their dessert comforting. Available across multiple cities, it’s an easy way to tap into the season wherever you are.

Where: Frozen Fun, Belapur, Navi Mumbai

• Scarlett House, Bandra

At Scarlett House, Bandra, strawberries take on a soft, nostalgic form through their Strawberry Shortcake. Light sponge layers, fresh cream, and berries come together in a dessert that feels familiar and festive at once, the kind of cake that suits slow afternoons and celebratory tables alike. 

Where: Scarlett House, Pali Village, Bandra West, Mumbai, 

• Scarlett House, Juhu

A Scarlett House, Juhu, the focus shifts to a Strawberry Trifle, layered generously with cream and fruit, bringing an old-school charm that feels especially fitting during Christmas. 

Where: Scaelett House, Juhu Tara, Juhu, Mumbai 

• Ice Cream Works Gold

For those who enjoy indulgence, Ice Cream Works Gold delivers with its Strawberry Overloaded Sundae. Tall, generous, and packed with layers of ice cream, sauce, and berries, it’s unapologetically rich, a dessert meant to be shared or slowly worked through spoon by spoon.

Where: Ice Cream Works Gold, Link Square Mall, Bandra West, Mumbai 

• Zaro Bakehouse

Zaro Bakehouse offers a more refined take with its Strawberry Petite Gateaux. Delicately crafted and visually elegant, this dessert balances sponge, cream, and strawberry. It’s the kind of sweet that feels perfect for gifting or pairing with a quiet cup of coffee.

Where: Zaro Bakerhouse, Bandra West, Mumbai

• Blondie

Rounding off the edit is Blondie with Blondie’s Berry Affair, a dessert designed for true berry lovers. Rich and playful, it celebrates strawberries in a bold, crowd-pleasing way, making it a fitting end to the festive lineup.

Where: Blondie, Khar West, Mumbai 

Each one adds a festive sparkle to strawberry season, making it easy to celebrate with something sweet no matter where you are in the city.

Strawberry Recipe to Try at Home

• Strawberry Hot Chocolate

Strawberry and chocolate are a combination that never really goes out of style. And there's something especially comforting about a warm drink during strawberry season. While the fruit is usually enjoyed fresh or baked into desserts, it also works beautifully in simple winter beverages. This Strawberry Hot Chocolate by MONIN India brings together two familiar flavours, chocolate and strawberry, in a way that feels cosy, nostalgic, and quietly indulgent. It’s the kind of drink you make on a slow evening, when the weather is cool and you want something familiar with a small seasonal twist.

The sweetness of strawberries adds a bright lift to the richness of chocolate, turning a regular hot chocolate into something a little more playful. Easy to put together and perfect for sharing, this recipe works just as well for a quiet night in as it does for a festive gathering.

Ingredients:

• MONIN Strawberry Fruit Mix (30 ml), 

• Milk (120 ml), 

• MONIN Chocolate Frappé Powder (25 g)

Method:
Begin by gently heating the milk in a saucepan over low heat, allowing it to warm through without boiling. Once warm, whisk in the MONIN Chocolate Frappe Powder, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and fully blended. Add the MONIN Strawberry Fruit Mix and stir well so the flavours come together evenly. Pour into a mug and serve immediately. If you’d like, finish with a swirl of whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence.

Strawberry Picking Getaways: Farms, Fresh Air & Slow Stays

As winter settles in and the hills turn greener, strawberry season quietly transforms the way people travel. This is the time of year when nature lovers look beyond crowded itineraries and towards open landscapes, fresh air, and the simple joy of engaging with local produce. Strawberry picking, in particular, has become a quiet winter ritual, unhurried, outdoorsy, and deeply satisfying.

As the berry season reaches its high point, the hill stations and farm region belt becomes a natural choice for weekend escapes. Fertile farmland, a naturally cool climate, and an abundance of strawberry fields create the perfect setting for relaxed, nature-led stays. Villas and homestays in the region are increasingly designed around this seasonal rhythm, allowing nature lovers to enjoy spacious outdoors, cosy corners, and easy access to nearby farms, turning a short winter break into a true strawberry-season experience.

1. Verandah By The Valley, Panchgani

Overlooking the rolling Panchgani valley, Verandah by valley is the essence of a strawberry-season getaway which offers more than just a scenic stay, it places guests right in the heart of strawberry country. A charming two bedroom home is designed for guests to experience the several working strawberry farms just a short drive away, making it easy to plan relaxed morning visits during peak picking hours. At the farms, guests can walk through neat rows of berry plants, learn about the growing process, and handpick ripe strawberries straight from the soil, tasting them fresh at their sweetest.

Where: SaffronStays Verandah by the Valley, Panchgani, Maharashtra

2. Mauli Strawberry Farm

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 A favourite among visitors, Mauli Strawberry Farm sits amid gentle hills and wide views, making it one of the more scenic spots for strawberry picking. Known for growing around 14 varieties of organic strawberries, this farm invites you to experience between bushes heavy with fruit and select the ripest berries yourself . The farm also extends the experience beyond picking, with treks through berry patches and collaborations with nearby cottages and campsites, if you want to linger longer in nature.

Where: Mauli Strawberry Farm, Avakali, Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra 

3. Dhanashree Garden Strawberry Picking Farm 

Dhanashree Garden Strawberry Picking Farm is the kind of place where the farm feels almost personal, a quiet stretch of land where visitors visit among strawberry plants, taste berries straight off the vine and chat with the people who grow them.The farm is known locally for its sweet, juicy strawberries and for encouraging guests to explore not only the berry patches but the rest of the produce planted alongside, from crisp vegetables to other berry varieties. Growing organically and operated by friendly hosts, Dhanashree Garden makes strawberry picking feel like an authentic connection to the land, rather than just a tourist stop.

Where: Dhanashree Garden Strawberry Picking Farm, Lingmala, Panchgani, Maharashtra

4. Famous Strawberry Farm 

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Set against the sweeping slopes of the Dhom Dam valley, Famous Strawberry Farm is exactly that, famous for its fresh, flavour-packed fruit and the experience that comes with it.The farm’s rows of strawberries stretch out beneath stunning hill views, giving visitors a classic experience, pluck the ripest berries you find and even stroll along the trails that weave through the fields. For those who want more than a day trip, the farm also offers tent camping options, letting you fall asleep under starry skies and wake up to berry vines.

Where: Famous Strawberry Farm, Avkali, Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra

5. Flying Sparrow Strawberry Farm

Near the Jim Corbett landscape, Flying Sparrow Strawberry Farm offers a rare combination of a working strawberry farm and an intimate farm stay. Guests can stay amidst open fields and hills, waking up to quiet mornings that feel far removed from city routines. During strawberry season, the experience naturally centres around the fruit, from seeing strawberries grow up close to enjoying fresh berries and house-made strawberry products like shakes and preserves. The stay is simple, nature-forward, it adds a refreshing dimension to strawberry travel, blending fresh produce with slow farm living, especially for travellers exploring Uttarakhand. 

Where: Flying Sparrow Strawberry, dhela and jharna gate road, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand 

Organic Brands For Strawberry Produce 

As strawberry season moves beyond farm visits and cafe menus, it also finds its way into home kitchens. For many, this is the time to buy berries at their freshest, to eat them straight out of the box, fold them into winter desserts, or turn them into jams that last beyond the season.

Across cities, a growing number of organic and farm-led brands are making it easier to access strawberries that are grown closer to home and harvested in season. These brands often work directly with farms, unlike mass-market fruit, these strawberries are meant to be enjoyed fresh and fast. Their appeal lies in their natural sweetness and vibrant colour. Whether you’re shopping for everyday snacking or planning something special in the kitchen, these organic brands offer a reliable way to bring the true taste of strawberry season home.

1. Spotless Fruits

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Spotless Fruits has formed a niche in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane by delivering fresh, seasonal Indian strawberries straight to your doorstep within a day. Known more broadly for its fresh fruit offerings, this newer marketplace source prioritises quality farm produce, bringing berry boxes that are still bright and juicy from local harvests. Their focus on fresh, quick delivery makes it a go-to for city dwellers who want strawberry flavour without a long wait.

To buy: Here

2. Fresh Indian Organics

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For many strawberry lovers, Fresh Indian Organics has become a simple, reliable choice. Their strawberries are organically grown on farms near Mahabaleshwar, picked at peak ripeness and packed carefully to keep their natural sweetness and colour intact. These berries sit beautifully in fruit salads or desserts and reflect the region’s cooler climate, juicy, and naturally vibrant.

To buy: Here

3. Organiktruck

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Organiktruck isn’t a typical supermarket brand, it’s a delivery-first platform that connects organically grown produce with urban kitchens. Their strawberries, sourced from certified organic farms, are harvested by hand, sorted gently and delivered with minimal handling so the fruit stays fresh and flavourful. The brand emphasises clean, farm-to-doorstep strawberries that pair beautifully with both seasonal desserts and healthier everyday snacks.

To buy: Here

4. Big Bear Farms

While not exclusively a fresh fruit brand, Big Bear Farms brings strawberries into the kitchen in a delightful way through products like their handmade strawberry preserves. Made with whole berries, light cane sugar and lemon juice, these preserves let you extend the season beyond the fields, spooned over pancakes, toasted bread, or simply enjoyed with ice cream. Their approach keeps the fruit’s character intact, offering that burst of strawberry flavour even when the harvest ends.

To buy: Here

5. Froovella

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Froovella takes a seasonal, almost traditional approach to strawberries. Their limited-drop, farm-sourced Mahabaleshwar berries are pre-ordered ahead of peak harvest, picked at the height of ripeness and delivered within a couple of days to ensure freshness and flavour. These berries are bright, firm and bursting with juice, ideal for those who want the essence of winter harvest straight out of the box.

To buy: Here