Whilst in Mumbai, every visitor has to try traditional Marathi food which can be very mild, or very spicy. The main ingredients are rice, millet vegetables, lentils, fruit and special grasses called sorghum. Popular dishes are puranpoli (sweet flatbread), modak (sweet dumpling) and a deep fried potato snack known as bonda. Mumbai also serves vegetarian, continental, Chinese and Middle Eastern food.
Typical food: Food from the northern states of Punjab and Udaipur in India are very popular in the cosmopolitan city of Mumbai. Many restaurants serve food from these regions.South Mumbai
Made famous by the modern Indian epic novel ‘Shantaram’ is the colonial Leopold Café. Across from the Colaba Police station, Leopold has been running since 1871. Sadly, it was one of the places attacked in the 2008 Mumbai bombings. Still going strong today, it serves a mixture of traditional Marathi, Chinese, Persian and Continental food and round the clock breakfast. With a French café interior, it is known as a landmark of the city, and is a firm favourite, both with locals and tourists. Try the red pepper fish if you like spice or the butter chicken for something milder.
• Café Leopold, Near Electric House, Colaba Causeway, Mumbai. South Central Mumbai
Previously, a well kept secret, Olives is now a popular place to dine with locals and tourists. Expect perfectly cooked Italian food, outdoor seating and top notch service. It is more expensive than some places in the city, but it is worth it. It is also a celebrity hang out, where many Bollywood stars visit. If it’s a special occasion meal you’re after, or just a well-deserved good dinner, then Olives will be perfect. Book ahead.
• Olives, 14, Union Park, Khar West, Mumbai. West Mumbai
Punjabi and Udipi cuisine are very popular in West Mumbai. A great option for non-vegetarian tandoori cooking is Jai Jawan. This Indian fast food, over the counter service is a favourite with the locals and often busy from opening at 6.30pm. Come to this outlet for their speciality of fried fish and tandoori chicken or paneer (Indian cheese). North Indian cooking is the speciality here and most dishes are well within a cheap to mid-range budget.
• Jai Jawan, Opposite National College, Linking Road, Khar West, Mumbai. Harbor Suburbs
In this area, visit Sadguru Vegetarian Restaurant. It is famous for having the best pavbhaji in the area. Pavbhaji is a local Mumbai dish and rich in spice. It is a thick tomato based curry, garnished with cooling coriander, onion and lemon. Pav means bread and bhaji in Marathi (local language) means vegetable dish. If that’s not enough to entice you in, it also has really good fruit juices and milkshakes.
• Sadguru Vegetarian Restaurant, Jewel of Chembur Building, BMC Office, Road Number 1, ChemburGaothan, Chembur, Mumbai. North Mumbai
Serving a good variety of Mughlai (North Indian), Punjab dishes and continental soups, starters and salads is the Silver Coin restaurant. Silver Coin is situated in the I.C Colony of suburban Mumbai, otherwise known as The Immaculate Conception Colony. The I.C Colony is a large area in Boribili in North Mumbai. Silver Coin is often referred to as the best restaurant in the colony and is family friendly.
• Silver Coin, I.C Colony, Borivali, Mumbai.
