Food has to be one of the core things about being an India. Whether it is the rich spices that go into our recipes, the traditional techniques passed on through generations, or the sheer diversity of regional cooking, our food is our pride. In Mumbai, this pride comes through the budding cafes that creatively experiment, street foods that cater to the everyday man, and the innovation brought through by the shared culture of its diversity. From over 18,000 cities and 590,225 food ratings of regional and national dishes around the world, Taste Atlas has rightfully named Mumbai as the 5th best food city amongst the world’s top 100. Excitingly, the city has held the rank for the second consecutive year in a row. Mumbai has served its honour on a curated plate.
Mumbai – 5th Best Food City in the World
The list by Taste Atlas is proof that one doesn’t have to stray too far to gain fame. After all, as we Indians have always believed, the way to one’s heart is through their stomach. Mumbai’s food scene has indeed made its mark on the hearts of these rather iron-walled food critics. From the humble roadside vada pav to the refreshingly sweet faloodas, evidently, authenticity lies in simplicity.
Taste Atlas: Top 10 Foods to Try In Mumbai
As Mumbaikars, we wouldn’t be surprised as to what has made the list, but we are still surprised by what hasn’t. Here we have listed the favourites from Taste Atlas, and where Mumbai continues to love eating them.
1. Pav Bhaji
Whether you eat it standing next to the road or sitting on a steel chair in a local restaurant, what’s not to like about soft buttery bread or pav and a spicy potato/vegetable curry? You know it’s good when the bhaji (or the curry) is red and thick enough for pav to hold. Did you know that Pav Bhaji was invented in the 1850s by street vendors as a midnight meal?
Most iconic: Sardar Pav Bhaji (Tardeo, Mumbai)
Opening time: 12 PM to 2 AM
Price: ₹ 250 for two
2. Vada Pav
Are we even surprised that this street’s darling is the biggest reason Mumbai is among the best food cities in the world? Vada Pav is everything a hungry worker likes. affordable, portable, and easy to prepare. With the soft pav lathered with red garlic chutney and fried chickpea flour-coated potatoes, it is tasty, authentic, and a perfect working-class snack
Most iconic: Ashok Vada Pav (Prabhadevi, Mumbai)
Opening time: 11 AM to 9:30 PM
Price: ₹ 100 for two
3. Chaat
Even though it is not a Mumbai special, chaat is as loved here as it is all over India, with each region adding its own secret ingredients. Whether you like it sweet, spicy, salty, or sour, it will never fail to get your fingers licking. Did you know that ‘chaat’ comes from the Hindi word ‘chaatna’, meaning ‘to lick’?
Most iconic: Sea Lounge, The Taj Mahal Palace (Colaba)
Opening time: 7 AM to 11:45 PM
Price: ₹ 5,000 for two
4. Bhelpuri
Clearly, we Indians have loved to snack for generations, hence the sweet and sour creation of Bhelpuri. This type of chaat is made with puffed rice, potatoes, ground nuts, and onions, slathered with tamarind date chutney. It is believed to have been brought to the Mumbai streets by a Gujarati immigrant.
Most iconic: Sea Lounge, The Taj Mahal Palace (Colaba)
Opening time: 7 AM to 11:45 PM
Price: ₹ 5,000 for two
Pro-tip: The best bhel puri within a good budget is found in a cart by the Chowpatty, while snacking on the sweetness and sourness, while watching the Arabian Sea waves splash across.
5. Panipuri
Only a true South Asian will know the charm of a mouthful of sweet and sour bite of a panipuri. You haven’t had a taste of it until you have coughed due to its spiciness or made a mess with the water spilling down your mouth. It is certainly a staple across India, from weddings to everyday street eats.
Most iconic: Elco Pani Puri Centre, Bandra
Opening Times: 9:30 AM to 11:30 PM
Price:₹200 for tw0
Pro-tip: Ask the vendor for a sukha (dry) puri in the end.
6. Batata Vada
A true Maharashtrian staple with the goodness of spicy boiled potatoes, batata vada has its very own fan base. Moreover, it is the main ingredient that goes inside a vada pav. The two seem to have a symbiotic relationship.
Most iconic: Prakash Shakahari Upahar Kendra, Dadar
Opening Times: 7:30 AM to 10 PM
Price:₹200 for two
7. Thalipeeth
A Maharastrian breakfast delight, a Thalipeeth is a pancake made with Bhajani multi-grain flour, cumin, chillies, coriander, turmeric, and onions. One can eat it just like that or pair it up with some finely chopped veggies, potatoes, and peanuts.
Most iconic: Aaswad, Dadar
Opening Times: 9:30 AM to 10 PM
Price:₹300 for two
8. Modak
The Maharastrian pride, the cutest and the sweetest Modak, couldn’t have skipped this list, of course. It has a special place in every Mumbaikar’s heart. It would be unfair to club it down to one variety, because the type of modak or the filling depends on what the heart desires. While the shell can be made with rice flour, wheat, or semolina, the fillings can go from nothing to coconut, saffron, or even banana. While nothing beats the taste of modak made by our grandmothers during Ganesh Chaturthi…
Most iconic: Modakam, Prabhadevi
Opening Times: 7:30 AM to 11 PM
Price:₹200 for two
9. Kulfi Falooda
Given the heat and humidity of Mumbai’s coastal weather, there is nothing that cures the body than a plate of sweet and milky Kulfi Falooda ice cream. It’s colourful, Instaworthy, and wholly Indian. It has the goodness of whole milk in kulfi to falooda “noodles” with rose water, fruit kellies, basil seeds, and crushed nuts
Most iconic: Baba Falooda, Mahim
Opening Times: (Closed on Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat) 9:30 AM to 12 AM, 12 AM to 2:30 AM
Price:₹200 for two
10. Khichdi
Some call it ‘sick people’s food’, while for some, it is a ‘soul food’. Either way, khichdi remains a staple across houses in India, not just Mumbai. It is believed to have been invented in India during the medieval period, while its first written mention dates back to a 15th-century travelogue of a Russian explorer, Afanasiy Nikitin. It is a meal in itself with porridge rice, lentils, spices, and a whole lot of vegetables.
Most iconic: Swati Snacks, Tardeo or Nariman Point
Opening Times: 11:00 AM to 10 PM
Price:₹500 for two
Taste Atlas: Top 10 Best Traditional Restaurants in Mumbai
As we mentioned before, Mumbai is a city of diversity, a token of India’s diverse cultures, traditions, and culinary explorations. From fine dining to cafes, the foodie roots of the city are ever evolving. Yet, some traditions remain the same even when the city changes, year after year.
1. Leopold Cafe
Nestled in Mumbai’s busiest Colaba Causeway, Leopold Cafe is a heritage site in itself. Heralded as one of Mumbai’s oldest Irani cafes, established in 1871, it is famous for its starry feature in the novel, Shantaram, and infamous for being the primary target during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. With 70s music still drifting from its windows, it remains a place of quintessential Bombay experience.
Must Haves: Keema Pav, Tikka, Cheesecake
Location: Rustom Manzil, Colaba
Opening Times: 7:30 AM to 12:30 AM
Price:₹2,500 for two
2. Ram Ashraya
If you are seeking an authentic South Indian cuisine in Mumbai, then Ram Ashraya is your place. Established as early as 1939, this humble place continues to serve South Indian classics with a changing menu every day. If you happen to go during peak hours, do not expect to be handed a menu card. The daily specials are written neatly on the walls.
Must Haves: Masala Dosa, Upma, Medu Vada
Location: Jamnadas Mansion, Matunga East
Opening Times: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Price:₹200 for two
3. Shree Thaker Bhojanalay
Celebrating Mumbai’s age-old Gujarati settlement and its rich culinary influence on the city’s foodscape, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay dates back to 1945. It is famous for serving an elaborate Gujarati thali with a touch of Rajasthani technique. Even with humble seating in the heart of a fancy city centre, the restaurant has maintained its 75 years of taste authenticity.
Must Haves: Dal, Kadhi (Try both sweet and spicy), Shrikhand, Khichdi, Thali
Location: Dadisheth Agyari Lane, Kalbadevi
Opening Times: 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM, 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM (except Mondays)
Price:₹1,200 for two
4. Nawab Saheb
Snugged in the luxe white walls of The Westin, Nawab Saheb serves signature North Indian dishes inspired by the royal Mughal era. Yet the menu diverts from street eats to a contemporary trend-setting experience, paying an elegant homage to India’s royal and traditional heritage.
Must Haves: Dal Makhani, Tandoori Chicken, Paneer Tikka, Gajar Ka Halwa
Location: The Westin, Powai
Opening Times: 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Price:₹5,000 for two
5. Baba Falooda
Kulfi falooda had earlier made it into the list of must-try foods in Mumbai; it seems like much of the credit goes to Baba Falooda. This legacy store is one of the city’s oldest falooda stores. Starting as a mere ice cream counter, it has grown into the city’s brand. It remains humble and small with limited seating space, yet its generous servings of creamy, decadent faloodas continue to make it a go-to spot for locals and tourists alike.
Must Haves: Kufi Falooda
Location: Bellview Mansion, Mahim
Opening Times: (Closed on Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat) 9:30 AM to 12 AM, 12 AM to 2:30 AM
Price:₹200 for two
6. Cafe Madras
The city’s love of South Indian food has landed yet another spot on the list of Taste Atlas’ best restaurants in Mumbai. Started in 1940, Cafe Madras continues to serve wholesome and hearty South Indian breakfast, adored by locals and tourists alike. The long morning queues are a testament to its continued popularity.
Must Haves: Dosas, Idlis, Upma, Medu Vada
Location: King’s Circle, Matunga East
Opening Times: 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Price:₹250 for two
7. Gurukripa
Gurukripa has been serving Mumbai’s favourite chole samosas since 1975. Located in the inner lanes of Sion in a humble open-air setup up you may not find places to sit in the bustling crowd. Yet, their famed Sindhi and Punjabi servings are worth the wait and easy on the pocket.
Must Haves: Ragda Patties, Chole Samosa, Chole Bhature, Lassi
Location: Sies College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Sion
Opening Times: 8:00 AM to 10:45 PM
Price:₹350 for two
8. Khyber
Recommended by Lonely Planet and Taste Atlas alike, Khyber surrounds you with flamboyant urns and ancient Mughal royalities, serving some of the most revered North Indian cuisine. It has been serving royalty and distinguished personalities around the world for over five decades, yet its hospitality and favours do not falter, but continue to evolve with modern taste.
Must Haves: Kebabs
Location: Kala Ghoda, Fort
Opening Times: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM, 7:30 PM to 11:45 PM
Price:₹3,000 for two
9. The Bombay Canteen
With simple, homely decor, The Bombay Canteen welcomes one home, and its cuisine brings the regional flavours of India alive in one place. Here, recipes are reimagined, taking the familiarity and freshness of seasonal ingredients and expertly elevating them with modern techniques. Here, you will experience the taste of Bombay, a city where diversity is the core of its identity.
Must Haves: Kerala Duck Curry, Kutchi Dabeli, Chettinad Prawns, Peanut Chikki
Location: Kamala Mills, Lower Parel
Opening Times: 12:00 PM to 1:30 AM
Price:₹1,700 for two
10. Peshawri
Located in the esteemed ITC Maratha, Peshawri welcomes its guests with a hearty nobility, serving the cuisine of India’s North West frontier. The restaurant’s decor imitates the traditional contemporarism it brings to its culinary arts as well. The award-winning space features a regal bar, cigar collection, live music, along its hi-life menu filled with Awadhi classics.
Must Haves: Dal Bukhara, Naan, Tandoori
Location: ITC Maratha, Chakala
Opening Times: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM (Lunch), 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM (Dinner
Price:₹3,000 for two
In Mumbai, food is beyond ingredients and recipes. It’s about history, legacy, communities, and tradition. Here, food is about emotions served on a shared plate. Perhaps that’s what makes Indian hospitality world famous, our warmly made food that makes its way to anyone’s heart.