There are a number of hotels ranging from budget to the upper end. The main area where the hotels are located is 10 to 15 minutes walking distance from the centre of town.

Kolhapur is a haven for connoisseurs of good food. The Maharashtrian thali is always a food lover's delight. In addition, Kolhapur is famous for its spicy hot food and almost all preparations are cooked with Sankeshwari or Lavangi chillies. For first-timers, it is advisable to go easy on the chillies! Local delicacies include misal (a mixture of cooked pulses) and mutton rassa (gravy). Also taste the rich, creamy milk from Kolhapur and the delicious jaggery and semi-solid hot kakavi which is processed sugarcane juice.
The restaurants are situated around the bus stand area, and in the evening dozens of stalls set up there too with mouth-watering snacks.