What to Eat in Mumbai: A Food Guide by Travey Club

Mumbai is one of those cities where food becomes part of the experience almost immediately. You don’t just “go out to eat” here — you end up eating between walks, during traffic stops, late at night after exploring, or standing next to complete strangers at tiny food stalls that somehow serve unforgettable meals.

What surprised us most during our time in Mumbai was how every neighborhood seemed to have its own flavor and personality. One minute we were eating buttery North Indian curries inside an old iconic restaurant, and the next we were grabbing spicy street food beside the sea with locals doing exactly the same thing.

If you’re visiting Mumbai for the first time, here are the foods we genuinely think you shouldn’t miss — along with the places we personally feel are worth trying.

Vada Pav

Mumbai’s most iconic street food

You can’t leave Mumbai without eating a vada pav.

At first glance, it looks simple — a spicy potato fritter inside a soft bun with chutneys and fried green chili on the side. But after your first bite, you understand why locals are obsessed with it.

It’s spicy, comforting, cheap, messy, and somehow perfect for Mumbai’s fast-moving energy.

Where We Recommend Trying It:

Ashok Vada Pav – Dadar

This place is legendary for a reason. The garlic chutney hits hard, the pav is soft, and the vada comes out fresh and hot almost constantly.

We still talk about this stop.

Pav Bhaji

Butter, spice, and absolute chaos on a plate

Pav bhaji feels like Mumbai in food form — loud, rich, excessive, and addictive.

The bhaji itself is a spicy mashed vegetable curry cooked with absurd amounts of butter, served with toasted pav that somehow disappears too quickly every single time.

This is not a “light meal.”

And honestly, it shouldn’t be.

Where We Recommend Trying It:

Sardar Pav Bhaji – Tardeo

The amount of butter here should honestly concern you slightly.

But it’s incredible.

Go hungry.

Parsi Food

One of Mumbai’s most underrated food experiences

Before Mumbai, many travelers don’t even realize how special Parsi cuisine is.

It’s comforting, rich, slightly sweet, deeply flavorful, and unlike anything else in India. During our trip, this ended up becoming one of the most memorable meals we had.

What to Try:

• Berry pulao
• Salli boti
• Caramel custard

Where We Recommend Trying It:

Britannia & Co. – Fort Area

Walking into Britannia feels like stepping into old Mumbai.

The interiors are simple, the service is full of character, and the food feels deeply nostalgic even if it’s your first time there.

The berry pulao absolutely lives up to the hype.

Bombay Sandwich

Surprisingly addictive

We didn’t expect to love this as much as we did.

The Bombay sandwich is layered with potatoes, cucumber, beetroot, onions, chutney, butter, and spices — grilled until crisp and served with extra chutney on the side.

It sounds basic.

It isn’t.

Where We Recommend Trying It:

Sandwichwala near Churchgate / Fort

Honestly, some of the best versions come from tiny street-side stalls rather than restaurants.

And somehow, that makes it even better.

Kebabs & Mughlai Food

Rich, smoky, and unforgettable

Mumbai does late-night Mughlai food incredibly well.

After a long day of exploring South Mumbai, sitting down for kebabs and rich curries somehow feels like the perfect ending.

Where We Recommend Trying It:

Khyber Restaurant – Colaba

This ended up being one of our favorite dinners in the city.

The interiors are warm and atmospheric, and the food feels consistently excellent without trying too hard. Their kebabs, butter chicken, and dal makhani were easily among the best meals of the trip.

Perfect after a long day walking around Colaba and Kala Ghoda.

Bun Maska & Chai

Mumbai’s slow morning ritual

Some mornings in Mumbai are surprisingly peaceful, especially inside old Irani cafés where time feels slower.

Bun maska — soft bread loaded with butter — served with strong chai sounds incredibly simple, but somehow becomes one of those meals you crave later.

Where We Recommend Trying It:

Kyani & Co. – Marine Lines

Old-school charm, slightly chaotic service, vintage interiors, and exactly the kind of place that feels authentic without trying to impress anyone.

Which honestly made us love it more.

Seafood

Fresh, spicy, and deeply coastal

Because Mumbai sits by the Arabian Sea, seafood naturally becomes a huge part of the city’s food culture.

And when it’s done well here, it’s genuinely exceptional.

What to Try:

• Butter garlic crab
• Prawns koliwada
• Pomfret fry

Where We Recommend Trying It:

Trishna – Fort

This place is famous for its butter garlic crab — and after trying it, we completely understood why.

Messy? Yes.

Worth it? Absolutely.

Kulfi by the Sea

The perfect ending after Marine Drive

One of our favorite Mumbai memories was surprisingly simple.

Walking along Marine Drive at night, sea breeze everywhere, city lights glowing, and ending the evening with kulfi from a roadside vendor.

Sometimes the smallest moments become the ones you remember most.

Where We Recommend Trying It:

K Rustom Ice Cream – Churchgate

Not exactly traditional kulfi, but iconic Mumbai nostalgia.

The ice cream sandwiches are simple, old-school, and weirdly comforting.

Final Thoughts

What makes Mumbai’s food scene special isn’t luxury or fine dining.

It’s the contrast.

Street food beside luxury hotels. Tiny cafés beside historic buildings. Generations-old restaurants still packed with locals. Expensive cocktails one hour, roadside chai the next.

The city somehow makes all of it feel connected.

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