Where To Eat In Mumbai, According To Restaurateur Gauri Devidayal
You could have eaten your way through Mumbai (or Bombay, as the old-timers still call it) your whole life, and you will still discover hidden gems every time says restaurateur Gauri Devidayal, who admits that even she is only just scratching the surface on where to eat in the city. Along with her husband Jay Yousuf, this Mumbai-born and bred director of restaurant group Food Matters India has given the city some of its most beloved dining spots, such as The Table, Mag St, delivery kitchen Iktara and experiential space Magazine St Kitchen, among others.
When The Table launched over a decade ago, it was one of the early players to introduce ingredient-driven, farm-to-table cuisine to the city. Many have since followed suit. “The food scene in Mumbai has evolved so much in the last couple of years,” says Devidayal. “Today, we can compete with a lot of cities around the globe. Chefs and diners have gotten more adventurous.”
Mumbai is a melting pot, not just of people and cultures but also cuisines. As India’s most cosmopolitan city, the food scene here can be best described as democratic – from fine-dining restaurants and pop-ups by Michelin-starred chefs to casual eateries, burgeoning coffee culture and local street food (not for the weak-hearted or the faint-stomached!). You need more than just a handful of days to sample the sheer variety.
Devidayal’s hot tip is to map distances before making reservations, because of the city’s infamous traffic. “Schlepping across town for a meal could eat up your entire day. If you are a visitor, plan well and explore places in and around the neighbourhood you’re staying in.
So, whether you’re a local figuring out your next meal or a traveller who doesn’t know where to start, this is the guide on where to eat in Mumbai you’ll want to bookmark.
6 Must-Visit Bombay Institutions
- Madras Café – Don’t be surprised if you have to queue up for a bite at this iconic South Indian restaurant, dating back to the 1940s. Pro tip: the set dosa is exceptional.
- Trishna – Those in the know are aware that you can’t rival the butter garlic crab, Hyderabadi dal and Bombil fry at this seafood restaurant.
- Shree Thaker Bhojanalay – The restaurant has been dishing out the best Gujarati and Rajasthani thalis in the city since 1945.
- Swati Snacks – You’ll find everything from home-style regional cuisine to hygenic street food at this 60-year-old vegetarian restaurant.
- Prakash Shakahari Upahaar Kendra – A local icon. It doesn’t get better than this for authentic Maharashtrian fare.
- Dakshinayan – Another favourite South Indian restaurant. Devidayal recommends the coconut seviyan and rava dosa here.
6 Best Spots For Coffee, Chai Or A Casual Bite
- Sequel – Devidayal says don’t miss the cacao almond flour cookie at this organic vegan restaurant.
- Mag St – The cruffin, Korean cream cheese garlic bun and avocado salad are must-haves at Devidayal’s all-day eatery.
- Subko Cacao Mill – One of the city’s favourite coffee spots, where you can also indulge in the story of Indian cacao and coffee.
- Veronica’s – Head to this 28-seater sandwich shop and cafe if you’re craving a pastrami sandwich.
- Kuckeliku Breakfast House – You’ll find grilled cheese and eggs done just right here, promises Devidayal.
- Suzette – Started by French expats, Suzette has the perfect mix of sweet and savoury crepes.
6 Places To Experience Fine Dining
- Noon – Prepare for an experimental experience that revives micro-cuisines, with foraging, traditional fermentation and food preservation techniques from Kashmir and Maharashtra at its core.
- Indian Accent – The award-winning restaurant does classic Indian cuisine with a modern twist.
- Masque – Another award-winning space: this ingredient-driven restaurant pays homage to cuisines and ingredients from all over India.
- Papa’s – A newly opened 12-seater fine dining restaurant with a 13-course tasting menu, which is already booked out for months.
- La Panthera – Launched earlier this year, this modern European fine dining restaurant by the couple behind La Loca Maria has city gourmands excited.
- The Table – Devidayal’s own restaurant is something of a Colaba institution now, known for its fresh, farm-to-table fare. She recommends the Brittany’s Salad, Sobo Salad and Tajarin with black winter truffle from her menu.
2 Spots To Enjoy A Post-Dinner Drink
- Woodside Inn – This neighbourhood bar with three outposts in the city is great for beer and banter.
- Aer – A chic rooftop bar on the 34th floor at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai with stellar views and cocktails to match.
5 ‘If You Know, You Know’ Foodie Recommendations
- Fresh hot jalebis and fafda at Swati Snacks on Sundays, which are available only from 7am-9am.
- The keema pao at Olympia Coffee Café runs out by noon every day.
- Ask Baba Ling for off-menu specials at the seven-decades-old Ling’s Pavilion.
- You cannot miss the pan fried surmai and lasooni chicken tikka at Canara Lunch Home & Bar.
- Befriend a member of the illustrious Willingdon Club, just to try its famous eggs Kejriwal.
4 Favourite Foodie Spots, From A Local
- Izumi – One of the city’s go-to Japanese restaurants, always buzzing with regulars hungry for its sushi, yakitori and ramen.
- Cecconi’s – Wood-fired pizzas, delicious cocktails and killer view of sunset on the beach – this Italian restaurant at Soho House Mumbai hits all the right spots.
- Bandra Born – Devidayal recommends this restaurant for its delicious, unpretentious food, cocktails and fun vibes.
- La Loca Maria – The trendy, celebrity-frequented restaurant is just where you need to head if you’re craving a “really, really good paella,” says Devidayal.
Praachi Raniwala is a Mumbai-based journalist whose work has appeared in the Financial Times HTSI, The New York Times, Business of Fashion, Condé Nast Traveller and Vogue India
