Best Food In Mumbai: A Culinary Adventure Awaits

India’s very own bustling metropolis, the best food in Mumbai, offers a melting pot of flavours, cultures, and traditions. Mumbai has something for everyone, from spicy street food to sophisticated fine dining cosmopolitan. Mumbai’s cultural and economic hub status is prominently reflected through the rich diversity of cuisine, which is influenced by people from all over India and even from other parts of the world. Right from the quest for the corner street snack vada pav to any seafood dish that one likes, options just do not end when it comes to food here.

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10 Places For Best Food In Mumbai

Here’s a list of some of the most popular places to find the best food in Mumbai for anybody interested in the gastronomic delights of Mumbai.

1. Leopold Cafe, Colaba

A busy day in Leopold Cafe in Mumbai with people ordering food and enjoying their meal

Photo: Greg O’Beirne / Wikimedia Commons

Leopold Café is much more than a restaurant. It is a heritage in the truest sense of the word in Mumbai. A restaurant dating back to 1871, this place already has years of vintage interiors and cosy ambience that are popular among locals and tourists. It is not just the food that is so special but the diversified crowd and the history that rests here. Serving casual travellers to filmmakers and artists, the menu options are Continental, Chinese, and Indian dishes, but the real attraction is the vibe.

Best Time To Visit: Early evening
Must Try: Butter chicken, fish & chips, signature cold coffee

2. Bademiya, Colaba

People gathered outside Bademiya restaurant in Colaba, Mumbai, waiting for fresh kebabs
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Photo: Benjamin Vander Steen / Wikimedia Commons

This legendary late-night food joint has been serving the best food in Mumbai since 1946. Practically right behind the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, this humble food stall has turned into a brand synonymous with flavorful kebabs and rolls. Even though it’s an open-air stall, food at Bademiya can easily vie with some of the best restaurants in the city. A small skewer stall turned into a thriving hub, especially for those who would like to eat something late at night. You can enjoy watching food prepared right in front of your very eyes, fragrant with aromas of freshly grilled kebabs.

Best Time To Visit: After 10 PM
Must Try: Chicken tikka roll, mutton seekh kebab, baida roti.

3. Britannia & Co., Ballard Estate

Entry of the famous Irani cafe, Britannia & Co. with a today's special displayed outside

Photo: Kanad Sanyal / Wikimedia Commons

This old treasure gives a peek into Mumbai’s Parsi food heritage. Founded in 1923, this old-world restaurant is a delightful throwback to Mumbai’s colonial past- complete with chequered tablecloths, wood furniture, and portraits of Queen Victoria and Mahatma Gandhi adorning the walls. Once run by the charming Boman Kohinoor until he died, the restaurant remains celebrated for authentic Parsi cuisine, which has original yet comforting dishes that will never disappoint. The sweet, tart, and savoury flavour mix of their berry pulao will leave you wanting more.

Best Time To Visit: 12 PM to 3 PM
Must Try: Berry pulao, salli boti, caramel custard

4. Swati Snacks, Tardeo

Dahi batata puri, an snack with crispy puri stuffed with potatoes, yoghourt and chutneys

Photo: SwatiGupta1986 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Swati Snacks is the best place to sample Mumbai’s take on traditional vegetarian snacks with a fresh twist. It is a favourite corner for health-conscious people in the city. The dishes served here are light but full of flavours, and the menu includes a lot of traditional Gujarati and Maharashtrian items, all presented in clean and contemporary ways. The decor within the restaurant is minimalist to complement the food philosophy: simple, fresh, and flavorful. Whether you are looking for a quick snack or want to sit down to a light meal, Swati Snacks is wholesome.

Best Time To Visit: Early evening
Must Try: Panki chutney, dahi batata puri, thalipith

5. Jai Jawan, Bandra

Seekh Kebabs, made of spiced meats on metal rods (seekhs) grilled on an open coal fire

Photo: Sumitmalhotra / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

What gives Jai Jawan a different flavour is the inherent quality and consistency of their food. Large portions, affordable prices, and rich non-vegetarian dishes make this place a go-to destination for those craving bold flavour in their food. This rustic street-side stall matches the bold flavours offered by its food in its ambience. You’ll want to come back here to Bandra for those cravings for succulent tandoori prawns or a buttery chicken curry.

Best Time To Visit: Lunch or early dinner
Must Try: Tandoori prawns, Amritsari fish fry, butter chicken, soft naan

6. Cafe Madras, Matunga

Store-front of Cafe Madras in Matunga, Mumbai, with a fridge displaying cold drinks

Photo: Bex Walton / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

For a South Indian, it is heaven on earth. For nearly 80 years now, Cafe Madras has been feeding some of the finest South Indian fare in Mumbai and ranks as one of the popular spots to grab breakfast. From crispy dosas to fluffy idlis, the food here leaves a memorable taste in the mouth, with their aromatic filter coffee brewing in the background. The no-nonsense décor of the restaurant serves as an ode to the authentic flavours and the quality of the ingredients. This modestly presented place has a hard-core fan base that cuts across generations.

Best Time To Visit: Early morning 7 AM onwards
Must Try: Filter coffee, medu vada, rava dosa

7. Sardar Pav Bhaji, Tardeo

Pav Bhaji served with dollops of butter and chopped onions in Sardaar Pav Bhaji, Mumbai

Photo: SwingingUvula / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Sardar Pav Bhaji is one of Mumbai’s iconic street food spots, famous for the most indulgent, richest pav bhaji. One can find the best food in Mumbai. However, what sets it apart is the dollops of butter they smear over the pav as well as the bhaji, a spicy mashed vegetable curry, leaving an unforgettable experience. This place has become legendary among locals and tourists alike, and it is hard to find people who don’t rave about their buttery pav bhaji.

Best Time To Visit: Evening 6 PM to 9 PM
Must Try: butter pav bhaji with extra butter, masala pav, buttered bread

8. The Bombay Canteen, Lower Parel

Tacos, filled with pork meat and array of veggies and cheese, served in a fancy plate
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Photo: T.Tseng / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Bombay Canteen is a contemporary Indian restaurant that has garnered immense admiration among Mumbai’s connoisseurs. The restaurant reinvents traditional regional Indian dishes using fresh, seasonal local produce while maintaining the ambience’s raw, eclectic mix of Indian culture and contemporary design. It’s a place to go for fun dinner nights with friends or special nights out. Whether you order one of the small plates or go for a grand main course, every dish here tells a story about India’s incredible culinary diversity.

Best Time To Visit: Dinner time
Must Try: Pork vindaloo tacos, rajma galouti kebabs and kokum margaritas

9. Prakash Uphar Kendra, Dadar

Spicy Kolhapuri misal served with two slices of bread, chopped onions and lime wedge

Photo: Ankushkr2020 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

When you seek genuine Maharashtrian snacking, in the real sense, then Prakash Uphar Kendra is a place not to be missed. The no-frills setting reminds one that simple places are the biggest producers of authentic flavour. Located in Dadar for almost more than several decades, Prakash Uphar Kendra has been serving local delicacies ready to devour for a quick meal. If you like the traditional Maharashtrian fare, then this is the place for you. In recent years, this place has garnered a loyal customer crowd, primarily due to the homely atmosphere and fresh, made-to-order dishes.

Best Time To Visit: Morning and Evening
Must Try: Sabudana vada, misal pav

10. Ayub’s Restaurant

Meat pieces cooked in spices and chillies, rolled in egg and flaky roti, wrapped in paper

Photo: Krishnendu84 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

An authentic street food stall offering flavour way beyond its humble stature, Ayub’s is located in the heart of the Fort area, craved by both the office crowd and the late-night diner. True specialists provide quickly delivered yet full-of-flavour kebabs and rolls when you’re on the run but don’t want to compromise on taste. The kebabs here are juicy, well-marinated and served hot off the grill. Prices are pretty affordable, so it’s a great place to stop in for a tasty bite without blowing one’s budget.

Best Time To Visit: Late evening
Must Try: Chicken baida roti, mutton galouti kebab, paneer tikka roll

Exploring the best food in Mumbai is a journey through the city’s rich and diverse culinary history. Be it kebabs, piping hot pav bhaji, or subtle Parsi dishes, every meal here has a story attached to it. Treat yourself to the most memorable adventure ever, and start planning that Mumbai food tour today with TripXL. Set out for a delicious journey in Mumbai.

Cover Photo: Sharvarism / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best time to visit Mumbai, based on food?

The best time to visit Mumbai for food exploration is between October and March. The cooler weather makes it most enjoyable to walk around and enjoy street food, which serves some of the best food in Mumbai.

What are some must-try dishes in Mumbai?

Mumbai is known for a few iconic dishes, including Pav Bhaji, Vada Pav, Bhel Puri, Misal Pav, Kebabs and rolls, Parsi items, etc. Each locality has its specialties, so try local favourites at each place you go.

Can one get vegetarian food relatively readily in Mumbai?

Many places in Mumbai offer the best food for pure vegetarians, like Swati Snacks and Prakash Uphar Kendra. Even the places that serve non-vegetarian food have a huge variety of vegetarian dishes, especially snacks like pav bhaji and vada pav and South Indian food items like dosa and idli.

Can one get international cuisine in Mumbai?

Mumbai offers very diverse international cuisine, including Italian and Mediterranean, Japanese and Mexican, and every other international cuisine outside of Indian dishes. Even popular places like Leopold Café blend Continental dishes, while trendy spots like The Bombay Canteen redefine what has been said with their modern angles.

Are the more popular restaurants reservation-oriented?

Usually, reservations are not needed for street food and casual dining spots. However, the most sought-after fine dining restaurants, such as The Bombay Canteen or SodaBottleOpenerWala, require some sort of prior reservation if one visits them during peak hours or weekends.

Best Food In Mumbai: Savour The Flavors Of India’s Food Capital