This post may contain affiliate links. This just means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you for helping them promote their product or service. I don’t endorse any services I don’t personally use or recommend.
A collection of mouth-watering meals in Mumbai that I’ve eaten, and been recommended to eat at, for foodie travelers.
The sheer number of times I have found myself in “the city of dreams” is astonishing to most people. In 2025 alone, I touched down more than 10 times on a single (multiple-entry) tourist visa. I’ve been eating in this city for five years now. While I live in Bangkok (one of the only cities that can rival this culinary powerhouse), Mumbai is still probably one of my favorite places to eat.
This is because Indian food can really only be done right in India.
I have yet to pinpoint exactly WHY this phenomenon is so true, but ask any Indian, and you know that the food they get abroad in “Indian” restaurants is sub-par.
Read More: If you’re looking for free things to do in Mumbai check out one of my very first blog posts.
This guide is in no way comprehensive. Not even full-time Mumbaikers will have a shot at eating at all the best restaurants in their city. But this is a good taste of the culinary scene. It’s a look at some of my personal favorite meals, which sometimes have something to do with their tucked-away ambiance as much as the tasty food.
This is not an Instagram-friendly list. I don’t care about ~ V I B E ~ this is about truly good food, no matter where it’s served.
The Best Eats in Mumbai
For those short on time in the city (most of you), these are the top 5 places you cannot miss as a traveler (in my opinion, of course).
- Shree Thaker Bhojanalay Since 1945 for Thali ($-$$)
- Edward Dosa and Pav Bhaji for Pav Bhaji ($)
- Tamak for Novel North Indian Cuisine ($$)
- Ramashraya – Currey Road Outlet for South Indian ($)
- Rama Krishna Restaurant for Dosa & South Indian ($)
Bonus: Bombay Canteen ($$$) if you want a good place to splurge on high-end bites in between cocktails.
Mumbai Eats for Budget Travellers
All these restaurants have Mumbai eats for under $5 per person. Usually, a lot less. But this is what I am calling “budget” in the city.
Rama Krishna Restaurant for Dosa & South Indian
When I come to the city, Rama Krishna is the first stop on my must-eat list. Usually, I go Southern Indian with a dosa (Szechuan + cheese is my guilty pleasure), but their Pav Bhaji is top-notch as well. If you eat upstairs, you can have A/C, but the prices will be a little higher than on the ground floor.
Jeevan Restaurant for Breakfast Deals
Pop in before 10:30 AM, and you can nab their breakfast special of Upma, Sheera, Potato Wada, and banana for super cheap. It’s a local neighborhood favorite. The Sheera is delicious.
Parle Juice Center for Fruit Lovers & Street Snacks
Since we’re already in the neighborhood with the top two recommendations (Vile Parle East that is), you should grab a juice at Parle Juice Center. They also have a wide variety of street snacks like the Mumbai Sandwich.
Edward Dosa and Pav Bhaji for Pav Bhaji
The Pav Bhaji is the most iconic meal to ever come out of Mumbai. And it’s delicious. Buttery buns dunked in spicy tomato-based curry with loads of onions. This is a lovely place to try it.
Kyani & Co. | Legendary Irani Restaurant, Bakers for Bun Maska
The Parsi community is a cornerstone of the culinary scene in Mumbai. This spot has been around for over 100 years. What they serve is simple: baked goods—small round buns with delicious butter. Don’t miss the bun maska.
Aram Hotel for Vada Pav
Located across from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in the Fort area, this famous spot is highly recommended for a delicious fried potato ball sandwich. Perfect for an on-the-go bite.
Other Budget-Friendly Spots to Try in Mumbai
- Haji Ali juice Center Bandra
- Farid Seekh Kabab Center
- Ashmicks Snack Shack
- Lashkara
The Best Street Food Tour in Mumbai
I have to pop in here and say, if you’re truly interested in the budget eats of culinary importance in Mumbai, you have to do a street food tour. Specifically, A Chef’s Tour. This chef-guided street food extravaganza is my favorite food tour to date.
I’ve taken tours run by this particular company all over the world, and the Mumbai one truly stands out as my favorite of the bunch. We ate at no less than 12 different places and got to try an ungodly amount of food, all while exploring Mumbai’s crowded streets and learning about the history of the dishes.
Read More: Want a full tour breakdown? Read my blog post dedicated to reviewing the experience of A Chef’s Tour in Mumbai.
Iconic Mumbai Must-Eats in the Mid-Range
Mid-range meals you can eat for under $10 per person. Many of these are some of my favorite eats in all of Mumbai.
Shree Thaker Bhojanalay Since 1945 for Thali
DO NOT MISS THIS PLACE. Even if you’re on a budget, this unlimited Thali is an excellent deal. For around $8 per person, you get 30 different dishes served endlessly (literally). It was recommended to me by one of the National Geographic writers and did not disappoint.
Ramashraya – Currey Road Outlet for South Indian
Pineapple Sheera. Enough said. This is THE best sheera in the city. Also, all the South Indian dishes are iconic.
Tamak for Novel North Indian Cuisine
Tamak is equal parts ambiance and excellent food. It feels far fancier than the price tag shows. But from the outside, you would think this was an abandoned shack, except for the security guard, that is. Located in an unassuming neighborhood, this spot has loads of great eats, some traditional, some fusion, all delicious.
Read More: If you’re looking for the best North Indian food…go to North India! Mumbai sits on the cusp between two cuisines. (WAY more than two cuisines in India obviously, but most people divide the country into North and South.) Either way this is my guide to the best eats in Rajasthan.
Other Mid-Range Meals in Mumbai
- Maharashtra Lunch Home Vikhroli
- Geeta Bhavan
- National Restaurant
- Folk
- Benne – Heritage Bangalore Dosa
- Papa Pancho da Dhaba
- Chaitanya Assal Malvani Bhojangruh
- Sarvi Restaurant
- NARAYAN DOSA SINCE 1970
- Satkar Rice Plate House
Mumbai Eats for Special Occasions
For when the evening requires something a little more high-end.
The Den for Tuesday Night Karaoke
Every Tuesday, this lively dive bar turns into the hottest karaoke club in the Bollywood-obsessed city. While visiting at this time of the week will not be the best foodie experience, it is so much fun.
The Bombay Canteen for Iconic Kebabs + Delicious Drinks
If you’re a mega-foodie and super prepared, you can book a reservation at Mumbai’s hottest new 12-seat restaurant run by the owners of Bombay Canteen. Papas Bombay is run like a dinner party and is consistently booked out for 2-3 months.
Persian Darbar (Since 1976)
I haven’t yet been to this iconic, highly recommended Mughlai restaurant. But it’s on my list.
Other High-End Eats and Drinks in Mumbai
- Toto’s Garage
- The Tanjore Tiffin Room, Bandra
- Slink & Bardot
- PCO Cocktail Bar
- Masque
- Americano
- Khyber
- Ekaa
- Charlee
- The Little Easy
Map of Mumbai’s Best Eats
Color-coded and ready for you to dive in and explore.
This certainly is far from all the best places to eat in Mumbai, but it will get you started. I’d love for people to drop their personal fave Mumbai eats in the comments! Of all the major cities in India, Mumbai deserves the most love in my opinion. It has an abundance of things to do, attractions to enjoy, a long and storied history, and most importantly, an abundance of delicious eats! Work your way through this list with each visit!
Save This Post For Later!
