Mumbai City Food Guide: Ask a Mumbaikar for food or restaurant recommendations and they’ll probably tell you the names of favourite family restaurants, hole-in-the-wall cafes, work favourites and/or heritage spots that have been around for decades (if not a century). Visiting locals’ favourite eating places is a great way to explore a city and get a deeper insight into the culture. To that end, we’ve compiled a list of places you must visit, aside from the regular popular suggestions and award-winning restaurants. Some of these eating places are locally famous but don’t often make it onto mainstream lists. Others might be located in areas that are a little off the beaten path.
Also read: 10 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Mumbai You Must Try
City Guide: 10 hidden food gems around Mumbai you can eat like a local
1. Mama Ken’s, Dadar
Mama Ken’s is a must-visit place unless you’re specifically looking for it. It’s located right next to Dadar station (West), amidst lanes that also serve as a busy marketplace. This heritage Maharashtrian restaurant serves a range of traditional and budget-friendly dishes, such as batata vada, sabudana vada, varan bhaat and thalipeeth.
Where: 222 Smriti Kunj, Senapati Bapat Marg, Dadar West, Mumbai.
2. Poornima, Fort
You will often find Poornima in Fort packed with office crowd during peak hours. Their famous South Indian thali is a budget-friendly feast, but they also have a wide selection of dishes that you can savour as 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 Compound Building No. 5, Muddanna Shetty Marg, Building No.- 29-41, Shop No.-4, GF, Imli Lane, Fort, Mumbai.
3. Pancham Puriwala, Fort
Mumbai’s Fort area has a lot to offer in terms of food, from street food to fabulous award-winning restaurants. Amidst all the hustle and bustle and lanes, you might miss one of the oldest eating joints in the city – if you don’t know about it. We’re talking about none other than Pancham Pooriwala, which started with a small food stall in the 1840s. It has since grown into a slightly bigger establishment but has maintained its humble North Indian roots. Check out the variety of puris, aloo bhaji, kaddu ki sabzi, thali, chole bhature and other delicacies available at this spot near the iconic CSMT (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus).
Where: 10, Perin Nariman Street, Bora Bazaar Precinct, Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai.
Also read: 10 Best Places To Have Breakfast In Mumbai That You Must Visit
4. Bayview Cafe, Colaba
Do you want to enjoy a meal with a spectacular view of the sea without breaking the bank? Bayview Cafe in Colaba is the perfect choice for you. Most of the best bars and restaurants overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Mumbai skyline are relatively expensive. Bayview not only offers a relatively affordable option, but is also reliable. The menu includes classic Indian and continental favourites. If you are seated in the outdoor dining area, you can also catch a glimpse of the Gateway of India.
Where: Hotel Harbour 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 areas of South Mumbai, Lower Parel, Bandra, Dadar, Juhu etc. You can discover many hidden gems in the suburbs, which might entice you to return again and again. One such area is Chembur, which has many famous places for Sindhi and Punjabi food. One of the most famous Sindhi restaurants here is VIG Refreshment, which has been attracting locals with its delicious and affordable food for over 7 decades. Don’t miss the dal pakwan and patties here.
Where: Camp East, Chembur Colony, Chembur, Mumbai.
6. Saravi Restaurant, Nagpada
This restaurant is said to have been a favourite of the famous Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto. Its simple décor, plain furniture and no-frills service create a unique old-world charm. Be sure to try the seekh kebabs here, along with other delicious meaty specialities like the tong masala fry or the brain (bheja) plain fry.
Where: 184, Police Station, 192, Dimtimkar Road, Dalal Estate, Nagpada, Mumbai.
7. Saeba Hotel, Bandra
There are many restaurants in Mumbai that have been delighting locals with delicious Malvani food for many years. Sayaba in Bandra West is one of them. Just a 10-minute walk from the station, this establishment serves home-style Malvani and Maharashtrian food in a simple but air-conditioned space. We highly recommend their Xacuti with Vada, Fish Thali, Chicken Pulao and Sol Kadhi. Although it specializes in coastal cuisine, its vegetarian options are also delicious – try the Veg Thali for a complete, satisfying meal.
Where: Shop No 1 & 2, Zarina CHS, Swami Vivekanand Road, Bandra West, Mumbai.
Also read: 12 affordable restaurants in Mumbai where you can enjoy the city on a budget
8. Cafe Andorra, Bandra
When in doubt about where to get delicious food on a budget, you can often rely on the recommendations of local college students. If you ask those in Bandra West, chances are you will be directed to a quiet lane off the busy Hill Road where Café Andorra is located. This tiny eatery near St. Andrews College serves delicious baked treats, snacks and packed meals. It operates through self-service and is a great place to have a quick break for tea and coffee along with small food items.
Where: 10, St. Dominic’s Road, Bandra West, Mumbai.
9. Masali, Worli
This is one of the relatively new restaurants on this list as it opened only in late 2022. Masali has quickly become a favorite spot for seafood lovers and those looking to taste unique dishes. The restaurant highlights the cuisine of the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) community. Some of the signature dishes include Mori Ghee Roast, Bangada Tirfal Curry, Batata Kaap, Prawns Fry, and Gulacha Kharvas.
Where: 31A, Ambalal Chawl, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli Naka, Bhim Nagar, Worli, Mumbai.
10. Kari Appla, Khar
This is the most recently opened restaurant on this list, as it was set up in late 2023. The Khar-Bandra west belt has always been an active and vibrant hub for a variety of food ventures. Apart from old bakeries, celebrity-owned bars and trendy cafes, make time to visit Curry Appala for comfort food with a personal history. This cozy restaurant is run by chef-duo Ebani Tiwari and Mathew Varghese, who have created a menu highlighting the coastal flavours of the places they grew up and worked. Sit at the counter inside and chat with the chefs, or enjoy aromatic plates with a small group outside (more details here).
Where: Kari Appla, Shop No. 5, Mangal Bhavan, Khar Pali Road, Khar West, Mumbai.
As a Mumbaikar, do you have any restaurants that you think more people should know about? Let us know in the comments below.
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