Mumbai is truly one of the world’s great food cities. If you have an appetite for the very best in Indian cooking, then you’re going to be well and truly spoilt for choice. The streets are alive, humming with the scent of butter sizzling on hot griddles and charcoal smoke rising from kebab stalls. All over this historic city, you can find century old cafes next door to modern fine dining restaurants or vibrant seafood restaurants.
Every single district in this city has its own culinary identity which is built on the back of generational traditions, migration, and trade; if you’re exploring them, worry not, because this city will reward anyone who arrives hungry and curious. There are, quite literally, thousands of options for any foodie, with a wide variety of cafes, restaurants, and street food pop-ups that can cater to any taste.
So writing this article hasn’t been easy; narrowing down my extensive list of favourites until I landed on a top 3 is a task of Herculean proportions for almost any megacity, let alone one with a culture as rich as Mumbai. But in the end, I’ve made up my mind and locked in my list. So here we go; without any further ado, here are the 3 best places to eat in Mumbai.
Leopold Cafe
Leopold Cafe was always going to make it on this list. This legendary establishment truly captures the spirit of Mumbai like no other restaurant. You can find it in Colaba, where it has welcomed the likes of travellers, journalists, artists and locals since it first opened its doors in 1871.
The atmosphere of the place feels distinctly Mumbai. Its warm wooden interiors give off a vintage vibe that harkens back to the mid-20th century, and combine with the place’s lively atmosphere to give first time diners an experience that feels unapologetically authentic. The menu at Leopold is exactly what you would expect from a modern cosmopolitan restaurant. You’ll be forced to choose between Indian classics, seafood dishes, meats straight from the grill, and continental favourites.
The dish that keeps me coming back is, without a doubt, Leopold’s famous chicken tikka. It never fails to be served up tender and smoky, with spices layered with more complexity than you would typically expect from a dish like chicken tikka. If you’re a seafood fan, then the fish sizzlers or butter pepper garlic prawns will definitely be more up your street.
Bademiya
Fancy a kebab? Go to Bademiya. You don’t need to go anywhere else. You can find this renowned street food eatery on one of Colaba’s busiest streets, serving food into the early hours of the morning. If you’re within a 1 mile radius, you’ll probably be able to smell the aromas of spiced skewers grilling on open flames late into the night.
This restaurant built its reputation with its iconic rolls and kebabs, like their seekh kebab roll, which is a favourite among regulars. It’s wrapped up in soft paratha with onions, refreshing mint chutney, and a litany of spices. If you’re a fan of roti, then their chicken baida roti is a must try. It’s made up of a delicious combo of minced meats and egg, inside a fried flatbread.
Bademiya is successful and will continue to succeed, because it’s so representative of the city’s fast, often hectic pace. This is a city that slows down very rarely, and this is a restaurant where the food is served rapidly and is designed to be eaten on the move, never slowing down.
Britannia & Co.
Britannia & Co is a bit more upmarket. Established in 1923, this renowned restaurant serves the same dishes now that it did back then, with each recipe lovingly preserved by generations of chefs. You can find this culinary institution near the Ballard Estate, inside a historic building that has all the trappings you would expect of a regal, if a little nostalgic, restaurant.
This restaurant’s most famous dish is deeply rooted in local culinary traditions. Their legendary berry pulao was created by the late owner’s wife, Bachan Kohinoor, inspired by Zereshk Polo – a traditional Persian dish. It’s made up of basmati rice that is layered with succulent spiced meat (either chicken or mutton), and is generously topped with tangy barberries.
Getting Around The City
Finding your way from A to B can feel a bit daunting in a fast-paced city like Mumbai. It isn’t as simple as other cities, where you can find parking in central London and just walk around from there.
No, in Mumbai you’ll likely be much more reliant on the Suburban Railway, which is the city’s most reliable public transport network. It connects all of the city‘s separate districts, like Colaba, Andheri, and Bandra. You won’t need to worry too much about missing a train because they run so frequently, but getting a seat won’t be easy.
The Mumbai Metro has improved in recent years and offers a transport experience that is a bit more modern. Its stations tend to be cleaner, and all carriages have air conditioning. But if you’re lost or in a tight spot, you can always rely on one of the city’s black and yellow taxis to show you the way.
In Conclusion
Mumbai’s restaurant culture continues to thrive as it offers an enormous variety of traditional restaurant-style dishes alongside more contemporary street food dishes that can be eaten on the go or in the early hours of the morning. These were just some of my favourites, but if you’re visiting this fantastic city, you should always allow yourself to discover your own favourites spontaneously! Travel is all about creating your own memories in these awe-inspiring locations, so don’t make your trip feel like a tick-box exercise.