Mumbai City Food Guide: Ask a Mumbaikar for food or restaurant recommendations, and they’ll likely name beloved family restaurants, hole-in-the-wall cafes, favorite haunts during work breaks and/or legacy establishments. for decades (if not centuries). Visiting the locals’ favorite food joints is a great way to explore the city and learn about the culture in an immersive way. To that end, we’ve put together a list of must-try spots that go beyond popular suggestions and award-winning restaurants. Some of these eating joints are well-known locally but may not often make it onto the mainstream list. Others may just be in neighborhoods that may be a bit off the usual tourist route.
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1. Mama Kane, Dadar
Unless you’re specifically looking for it, Mama Kane can just avoid you. It is located next to Dadar (West) station, between the lanes which is also a busy market. This heritage Maharashtrian restaurant offers a variety of traditional and inexpensive dishes, such as batata vada, sabudana vada, varan bhaat and thalipeeth.
where: 222 Smruti Kunj, Senapati Bapat Marg, Dadar West, Mumbai.
2. Poornima, Fort
You will often find Poornima in the Fort packed with many offices during peak hours. The famous South Indian thali is a budget-friendly feast, but it also has a wider selection of dishes that you can enjoy for a full meal or a quick snack. While some of the best South Indian food can be found in and around Matunga Central, places like Poornima are also popular among locals due to their location in South Mumbai.
where: Raja Bahadur Complex Building No. 5, Muddanna Shetty Marg, Bldg no- 29-41, Shop no-4, Gf, Tamarind Lane, Fort, Mumbai.
3. Pancham Puriwala, Fort
The Fort area of ​​Mumbai has a lot to offer in terms of dining, from street food to luxury award-winning restaurants. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, you might miss out on one of the city’s oldest eateries – if you don’t know about it. We are talking about none other than Pancham Puriwala, which started as a small food stall in the 1840s. It has since evolved into a rather large establishment but maintains its humble North Indian roots. Check out the wide variety of puris, aloo bhaji, pumpkin sabzi, thalis, chole bhature and other treats available at this place near the iconic CSMT (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus).
where: 10, Perin Nariman St, Bora Bazar Precinct, Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai.
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4. Bayview Cafe, Colaba
Want to enjoy a meal with a stunning ocean view without burning a hole in your pocket? Bayview Cafe in Colaba is your answer. Most of the best bars and restaurants with views of the Arabian Sea and the Mumbai skyline are relatively expensive. Bayview not only offers a relatively affordable option but also a reliable one. The menu features classic Indian and Continental favourites. If you are sitting in the outdoor dining area, you can also see The Gateway Of India.
where: Hotel Harbor View rooftop, 25, PJ Ramchandani Marg, opposite Radio Club, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai.
5. VIG Refreshments, Chembur
Mumbai is worth exploring beyond the popular tourist neighborhoods of South Mumbai, Lower Parel, Bandra, Dadar, Juhu, etc. You can find many gems hidden in the outskirts of the city, which can only entice you to come back again and again. One of the must-visit areas is Chembur, which has several beloved places for Sindhi and Punjabi food. One of the most popular Sindhi restaurants here is VIG Refreshments, which has been courting locals with lip-smacking, pocket-friendly fare for over 7 decades. Don’t miss the pakwan dal and pattice here.
where: Camp East, Chembur Colony, Chembur, Mumbai.
6. Sarvi Restaurant, Nagpada
This restaurant is said to be the favorite of famous Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto. It has modest decor, simple furniture, and no-frills service that creates a unique old-world charm. Seekh kebab is a must-try here, as are other delicious meat dishes like fried masala tongue or fried brain (bheja).
where: 184, Police Station, 192, Dimtimkar Road, Dalal Estate, Nagpada, Mumbai.
7. Saayba Hotel, Bandra
Mumbai has a number of restaurants that have been delighting locals with delicious Malvani meals for years. Saayba in Bandra West is one of them. Just 10 minutes walk from the station, this establishment serves home-style Malvani and Maharashtrian food in a simple but air-conditioned place. We recommend Xacuti with Vade, Fish Thali, Pulao Ayam and Sol Kadhi. Although they specialize in coastal food, the vegetarian options are also delicious – try the Veg Thali for a complete and satisfying meal.
where: Shop No 1 & 2, Zarina CHS, Swami Vivekananda Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai.
See also: 12 Pocket Friendly Restaurants In Mumbai To Explore The City On A Budget
8. Warung Andora, Bandra
If in doubt about getting good food on a budget, you can rely on the recommendations of local students. If you ask anyone in Bandra West, there’s a good chance you’ll be directed from the busy Hill Road to the quiet lane that houses Cafe Andora. This little eatery near St. Andrew’s College has scrumptious baked treats, snacks and packed meals. It functions through self-service and is a great place for a quick break for tea and coffee with bite-sized food.
where: 10, St. Dominic Road, Bandra West, Mumbai.
9. Maasli, Worli
This is one of the newer restaurants on this list as it opened only at the end of 2022. Maasli is fast becoming a great place for seafood lovers and those who want to taste special cuisine. The restaurant highlights recipes from the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) community. Some of the typical dishes include mori ghee roast, bangda tirfal curry, batata kaap, fried prawns and gulacha kharwas.
where: 31a, Ambalal Chawl, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli Naka, Bhim Nagar, Worli, Mumbai.
10. Curry Apla, Khar
This is the most recently opened restaurant on this list, as it was established at the end of 2023. The Khar-Bandra West belt has always been an active and attractive center for food businesses of various kinds. Apart from old bakeries, celebrity-frequented bars and modern cafes, take time out to visit Kari Apla for comfort food with personal history. This cozy restaurant is opened by the chef-couple Ebaani Tewari and Mathew Varghese, who have curated a menu that highlights the taste of the coast from the place they grew up and worked in. aromatic plate with a small group outside (More details here).
where: Kari Apla, Shop no. 5, Mangal Bhavna, Khar Pali Road, Khar West, Mumbai.
As a Mumbaikar, do you have a go-to restaurant that you think more people should know about? Let us know in the comments below.
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