Mumbai Food Guide
From royal Rajasthani thalis to iconic street food like Pyaaz Kachori and Ghewar - discover the authentic flavors of the Pink City
Must-Try Dishes
Don't leave Mumbai without trying these!
Vada Pav
Mumbai's iconic street food - spicy potato fritter in a bun with chutneys. The city's answer to the burger, loved by millions daily.
Pav Bhaji
Spiced mashed vegetable curry served with buttered pav (bread). A Mumbai invention that has conquered the country.
Bhel Puri
Puffed rice mixed with chutneys, sev, onions, and potatoes. The quintessential beach snack of Mumbai.
Sev Puri
Crispy puris topped with potatoes, onions, three chutneys, and sev. Each bite is an explosion of flavors.
Ragda Pattice
Crispy potato patties topped with spiced white peas curry and chutneys. A comforting street food staple.
Pani Puri / Golgappa
Crispy hollow puris filled with spiced water, tamarind chutney, and potato stuffing. Mumbai's favorite chatpata snack.
Bombay Duck (Bombil Fry)
Crispy fried lizardfish, a Mumbai delicacy despite its misleading name. Crunchy outside, soft inside.
Pomfret Fry / Tawa Fry
Whole pomfret marinated in spices and pan-fried to perfection. A coastal Maharashtra specialty.
Koliwada Prawns
Crispy batter-fried prawns, named after Mumbai's fishing communities. A beloved starter across the city.
Malvani Fish Thali
Complete coastal thali with fish curry, sol kadhi, fried fish, rice, and accompaniments. A feast from Konkan.
Bun Maska
Soft bun slathered with butter, a legacy of Mumbai's Irani cafes. Perfect with cutting chai.
Kheema Pav
Spiced minced meat served with soft pav. An Irani cafe classic that defines Mumbai's syncretic food culture.
Berry Pulao
Parsi specialty of fragrant rice with caramelized onions and barberries, served with chicken or lamb.
Dhansak
Parsi dish of mutton/chicken cooked with lentils and vegetables. Rich, complex, and deeply satisfying.
Misal Pav
Spicy sprouted beans curry topped with farsan, served with pav. A breakfast favorite with fiery Kolhapuri versions.
Puran Poli
Sweet flatbread stuffed with jaggery and chana dal. A festive Maharashtrian delicacy.
Modak
Sweet dumplings filled with coconut and jaggery, Lord Ganesha's favorite. Essential during Ganesh Chaturthi.
Cutting Chai
Half glass of sweet, milky tea - Mumbai's fuel. 'Cutting' refers to the half portion, perfect for sharing.
Sugarcane Juice
Fresh pressed sugarcane juice with ginger and lime. The ultimate summer refresher.
Falooda
Rose syrup milkshake with vermicelli, basil seeds, and ice cream. A refreshing indulgence.
Sol Kadhi
Pink kokum and coconut milk drink. Cooling digestive served with Malvani meals.
Seekh Kebab
Spiced minced meat skewers grilled to perfection. Mohammed Ali Road's pride.
Nalli Nihari
Slow-cooked lamb shank stew, rich and gelatinous. The ultimate midnight feast during Ramadan.
Chicken Tikka Roll
Grilled chicken wrapped in roomali roti with onions and chutney. Mumbai's late-night favorite.
Malpua with Rabdi
Fried sweet pancakes dipped in sugar syrup, served with thickened milk. Divine dessert.
Main Dishes
Pav Bhaji
Spiced mashed vegetable curry served with buttered pav (bread). A Mumbai invention that has conquered the country.
Bombay Duck (Bombil Fry)
Crispy fried lizardfish, a Mumbai delicacy despite its misleading name. Crunchy outside, soft inside.
Pomfret Fry / Tawa Fry
Whole pomfret marinated in spices and pan-fried to perfection. A coastal Maharashtra specialty.
Koliwada Prawns
Crispy batter-fried prawns, named after Mumbai's fishing communities. A beloved starter across the city.
Malvani Fish Thali
Complete coastal thali with fish curry, sol kadhi, fried fish, rice, and accompaniments. A feast from Konkan.
Kheema Pav
Spiced minced meat served with soft pav. An Irani cafe classic that defines Mumbai's syncretic food culture.
Berry Pulao
Parsi specialty of fragrant rice with caramelized onions and barberries, served with chicken or lamb.
Dhansak
Parsi dish of mutton/chicken cooked with lentils and vegetables. Rich, complex, and deeply satisfying.
Misal Pav
Spicy sprouted beans curry topped with farsan, served with pav. A breakfast favorite with fiery Kolhapuri versions.
Sabudana Khichdi
Tapioca pearls cooked with peanuts and potatoes. Popular fasting food that's loved any day.
Seekh Kebab
Spiced minced meat skewers grilled to perfection. Mohammed Ali Road's pride.
Nalli Nihari
Slow-cooked lamb shank stew, rich and gelatinous. The ultimate midnight feast during Ramadan.
Street Snacks
Vada Pav
₹15-40Mumbai's iconic street food - spicy potato fritter in a bun with chutneys. The city's answer to the burger, loved by millions daily.
Bhel Puri
₹30-60Puffed rice mixed with chutneys, sev, onions, and potatoes. The quintessential beach snack of Mumbai.
Sev Puri
₹40-80Crispy puris topped with potatoes, onions, three chutneys, and sev. Each bite is an explosion of flavors.
Ragda Pattice
₹50-100Crispy potato patties topped with spiced white peas curry and chutneys. A comforting street food staple.
Pani Puri / Golgappa
₹30-60Crispy hollow puris filled with spiced water, tamarind chutney, and potato stuffing. Mumbai's favorite chatpata snack.
Bun Maska
₹30-50Soft bun slathered with butter, a legacy of Mumbai's Irani cafes. Perfect with cutting chai.
Chicken Tikka Roll
₹100-180Grilled chicken wrapped in roomali roti with onions and chutney. Mumbai's late-night favorite.
Sweets & Desserts
Puran Poli
Must TrySweet flatbread stuffed with jaggery and chana dal. A festive Maharashtrian delicacy.
Modak
Must TrySweet dumplings filled with coconut and jaggery, Lord Ganesha's favorite. Essential during Ganesh Chaturthi.
Malpua with Rabdi
Must TryFried sweet pancakes dipped in sugar syrup, served with thickened milk. Divine dessert.
Drinks & Beverages
Cutting Chai
₹10-20Half glass of sweet, milky tea - Mumbai's fuel. 'Cutting' refers to the half portion, perfect for sharing.
Sugarcane Juice
₹20-40Fresh pressed sugarcane juice with ginger and lime. The ultimate summer refresher.
Falooda
₹80-150Rose syrup milkshake with vermicelli, basil seeds, and ice cream. A refreshing indulgence.
Sol Kadhi
₹40-80Pink kokum and coconut milk drink. Cooling digestive served with Malvani meals.
Top Restaurants & Eateries
Britannia & Co
Trishna
Mahesh Lunch Home
Leopold Cafe
Kyani & Co
Swati Snacks
Aaswad
Sardar Refreshments
Bade Miya
Gajalee
Prakash Restaurant
Cafe Mondegar
Elco Pani Puri
Prithvi Cafe
Noor Mohammadi
Street Food Hotspots
Mohammed Ali Road
The ultimate food street, especially during Ramadan. Kebabs, nihari, and sweets.
Girgaon Chowpatty
Beach-side street food paradise with classic Mumbai chaat.
Colaba Causeway
Tourist hotspot with cafes and late-night kebab stalls.
Juhu Beach
Family-friendly beach with stalls serving Mumbai favorites.
Khau Galli (Ghatkopar)
Dedicated food lane with diverse street food options.
Carter Road, Bandra
Upscale promenade with trendy food stalls and restaurants.
Crawford Market Area
Wholesale market area with iconic old eateries.
Food Tips for Visitors
About Mumbai's Culinary Heritage
Mumbai's cuisine reflects centuries of royal Rajasthani culinary tradition shaped by the desert climate. With limited water resources, Rajasthani cooks developed unique preservation techniques and dishes that didn't require fresh vegetables. This necessity gave birth to signature dishes like Dal Baati Churma, Gatte ki Sabzi, and Ker Sangri - all of which remain beloved today.
The city is predominantly vegetarian due to strong Jain and Marwari traditions - about 90% of restaurants serve only vegetarian food. However, some exceptional non-vegetarian dishes exist, most notably Laal Maas (fiery red mutton curry) and Safed Maas (white mutton curry), which were traditionally prepared in royal kitchens for the Rajput rulers.
Street food culture thrives in Mumbai, with iconic spots like Rawat Misthan Bhandar serving the legendary Pyaaz Kachori since 1954. The old city bazaars - Johari Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar, and Chaura Rasta - come alive in the evenings with food vendors serving everything from crispy kachoris to creamy lassis topped with malai.
Seasonal specialties are important in Mumbai's food culture. Ghewar, a honeycomb-textured sweet, is synonymous with Teej and Raksha Bandhan festivals (July-August). Mawa Kachori appears during Holi. And fresh Makhania Lassi is best enjoyed in summer months when the heat makes it most refreshing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous food in Mumbai?
Dal Baati Churma is Mumbai's most famous dish - a combination of hard wheat balls (baati) served with spiced lentils (dal) and sweetened crumbled bread (churma). For street food, Pyaaz Kachori from Rawat Misthan Bhandar is iconic. Ghewar (honeycomb-textured sweet) is the signature Rajasthani dessert, especially during festivals.
Where can I get the best Pyaaz Kachori in Mumbai?
Rawat Misthan Bhandar on Station Road is legendary for Pyaaz Kachori (₹30-40). Arrive early morning (8-10 AM) for the freshest batch. Other excellent options include Samrat Restaurant and LMB (Laxmi Misthan Bhandar) on Johari Bazaar. The kachori should be crispy outside with a spicy onion filling.
Is Mumbai vegetarian-friendly for tourists?
Mumbai is extremely vegetarian-friendly - about 90% of restaurants are pure vegetarian. Rajasthan has a strong vegetarian culture due to Jain and Marwari traditions. Non-vegetarian options like Laal Maas are available at specific restaurants like Handi Restaurant. Street food is almost entirely vegetarian.
What is Laal Maas and where to try it in Mumbai?
Laal Maas is a fiery red mutton curry made with dried red chilies and yogurt - Rajasthan's most famous non-vegetarian dish. The best places to try it are Handi Restaurant (authentic), Niros (upscale), and 1135 AD at Amer (fine dining). Expect to pay ₹400-800 for a portion. It's genuinely spicy!
What is the best time for street food in Mumbai?
Evening (5-9 PM) is the best time for street food when markets are buzzing. Chaura Rasta and Johari Bazaar are most active. For breakfast items like Kachori and Samosa, visit 8-10 AM at Rawat's or Samrat. Avoid street food during afternoon heat (12-4 PM) when stalls are less active and freshness is a concern.
Is street food safe to eat in Mumbai?
Street food at popular, busy stalls is generally safe. Stick to well-known spots like Rawat's, Lassiwala, and established MI Road vendors. Look for high customer turnover indicating fresh preparation. Avoid cut fruits and pre-made salads. Drink only sealed water bottles. Most tourists enjoy street food without issues.