Mumbai, the city of dreams, is synonymous to glitz, glamor, and grandeur. Adding a fourth G to this list - this Indian metropolitan city is also known as a gastronomical heaven. From rich, creamy desserts to tangy appetizers, Mumbai is a paradise when it comes to food. While fine dining in the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is something every tourist would want to indulge in, Mumbai’s true spirit lies in its street food. It is an aspect that everyone, irrespective of their culture or background, loves to enjoy. If you’re planning to visit Mumbai anytime soon, make sure you grab a bite or two, three, four..(day dreaming)..of these 10 yummy street foods.
PS: Get ready to drool!
1. Vada Pav
Vada Pav is the king of street foods in Mumbai. This native Maharashtrian delicacy is loved by literally every single Mumbaikar. There are as many as 500,000 Vada Pav stalls in the city, which clearly states Mumbai’s love for it. What makes this grab-and-go snack such a hit is its spicy and tangy taste. Vada Pav comprises of a “vada”, which is basically a deep fried potato patty mashed with chilies, garlic, coriander and other condiments. While the “pav” is something you may understand as a flat bread, which is smeared with butter and a pinch of garlic and chili powder. So, the vada is sandwiched in the pav and further garnished with coriander, even cheese these days. Mouth watering, isn’t it? You’ll find numerous versions of Vada Pavs at different spots in the city.
Where do I get the best?
Where: Anand Stall
Address: Opposite Mithibai College, Gulmohar Road, Vile Parle West
Price: approx. 1 USD
Opening Hours: 7.30 am -11 pm
Website: Anand Stall
Tip from Trip101 local expert
Be sure to try Mumbai’s famous Ashok Vada Pav, next to Kirti College. It’s known to serve piping hot vada pav (deep-fried potato dumplings) and chura pav priced at 25 INR (0.30 USD) and 20 INR (0.24 USD), respectively. However, note that this place is always crowded and there’s a queue whenever you visit. Moreover, it shuts early in the evening, but the mouth-watering taste and the unique chickpea flour balls make it worth the wait!
Traveler's tips
If you're planning on enjoying a morning walk or a jog at Juhu Beach, make sure to complete your experience with some vada pav at one of the food stalls. Each vada pav would hardly cost you 30 INR (0.36 USD), so feel free to get some other snacks, too! The stalls open early in the morning and prepare fresh snacks to serve the morning visitors at the beach. Grab your favorites and relish them while admiring sea views.
2. Pani Puri
Pani Puri is one special street food that celebrates India’s diversity at its best. Known by almost 11 different names such as Puchka, Gol Gappa, Paani ke Patashe, Papdi etc, this is one of Mumbai’s favourite street foods. The round, crisp hollow fried balls called ‘Puri’ are filled with a mixture of chickpeas, onion, and potato. Once filled, the puri is dunked into a sweet and spicy mix of tamarind, jaggery and other condiments. Pani Puri promises a burst of flavours in your mouth and hence, it is a must-have while you are on a Mumbai street food trail.
Where do I get the best?
Where: Elco Pani Puri Centre
Address: 2/A Elco Market, 46, Hill Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Price: approx. 1 USD
Opening Hours: 9.30 am - 10.30 pm
Website: Elco Pani Puri Centre
3. Pav Bhaji
Spicy, lemony and buttery, Pav Bhaji rules the hearts of all Mumbaikars and people who visit the city. This is a traditional Maharashtrian dish where the ‘Pav’ - a lightly heated form of bread, is served with an exotic blend of assorted vegetables that are mashed together to form the 'Bhaji’. What adds to the taste of this yummy street food are the sides that it come with. A dollop of butter, some onions, and tomatoes with a wedge of lemon add to the Pav Bhaji experience.
Where do I get the best?
Where: Sardar’s
Address: 166-A Tardeo Road Junction, Tulsiwadi, near Tardeo bus depot
Price: approx. 1 USD
Opening Hours: 12 pm - 2 am
Tip from Trip101 local expert
If you're a pav bhaji lover, you must try it at Cannon Pav Bhaji, right opposite Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. The lip-smacking and delicious pav bhaji served here has been winning the hearts of every Mumbaikar for ages now. The cost is quite reasonable as it starts at 90 INR per plate. Moreover, you can also order pizza, sandwiches, burgers, fries and noodles here. Another personal favourite is Achija Veg Restaurant in Ghatkopar khau galli.
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4. Bhel Puri
Planning to spend an evening at the Chowpatty Beach? If yes, you will never be able to miss Bhel Puri. This popular beach in Mumbai is famous for housing a plethora of Bhel Puri stalls. There are a lot of people who visit Chowpatty mainly for their love for Bhel Puri. Now, this is a cold, crunchy snack with puffed rice mixed with onions, tomatoes, chilis and potatoes. This mixture is then topped with some spicy and tangy sauces, known as ‘chutneys’ in India.
Where do I get the best?
Where: Sharmajee’s
Address: No. 22, Chowpatty Beach, near Charni Road station
Price: approx. 1 USD
Opening Hours: All Day
Mumbai Tour Guide
Sukanya Roy Choudhury
I am a licensed guide but Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. I am also a visiting faculty teaching travel and tourism in the University of Mumbai and Patkar Varde College. Have alot of fun facts and stories about the city which I would be happy to share.
Tours by Sukanya
5. Falooda
For those who have a sweet tooth, Falooda is a must have street food in Mumbai. Served in a glass, this dessert is made from flavored milk, tapioca pearls, vermicelli, and loads of gelatin. Today, Falooda comes with a lot of variations but its most traditional form is the one where it is garnished with rose syrup.
Where do I get the best?
Where: Badshah Falooda and Juice Centre
Address: Dr DN Road, Crawford Market, Mumbai CST Area, Mumbai, India
Price: approx. 3 USD
Opening Hours: 7 am - 12.30 am
Website: Badshad
6. Bun Maska
Bun Maska is one of the simplest street foods you will ever come across. With its roots tied to the Iranian cuisine, this dish comprises of a bun sliced in half and smeared with a dollop of butter. Also called ‘brun-maska’ at the old Irani cafes in Mumbai, this delicious snack is best enjoyed accompanied with a cup of cutting chai.
Where do I get the best?
Where: Yazdani Bakery & Restaurant
Address: Fountain Akbar Ally, Saint Thomas Cathedral, Fort, Mumbai
Price: approx. 2 USD
Opening Hours: 7 am - 9 pm
Website: Yazdani Bakery & Restaurant
7. Bombay Sandwich
So the Bombay Sandwich had me thinking that a sandwich is a sandwich, why do they have to add a prefix? Well, this special sandwich is the most Indian version of its kind. It features slices of vegetables packed inside two slices of bread. The x-factor is the coriander chutney that is added along with the chat masala, which adds to the taste. Nowadays, you will find a variety of Bombay Sandwiches in Mumbai, some of which will have cheese and potato patty stuffed inside. Yummy, no?
Where do I get the best?
Where: Baba Sandwich Stall
Address: 1st Road, Near Mithibai College, Juhu Vile Parle West, Mumbai, India
Price: approx. 2 USD
Opening Hours: 7.30 am - 11 pm
Website: Baba Sandwich
Tip from Trip101 local expert
If you’re a sandwich lover, you must visit Vasu's Laxmi Balaji in Goregaon. It’s located a 12-minute walk from Goregaon Railway Station. It's located on SV Road and is quite accessible by rail and road. Anyone visiting Mumbai should try its AK 47 and All India Grill, available in two sizes and cost between 100-170 INR (1.21-2.05 USD). Other than this, the budget-friendly eatery also serves Chinese and South Indian delicacies. What’s more, they also offer free delivery on a certain minimum order in the nearby localities. Recently, they also opened a fast food restaurant just opposite the stall where you can also try some lip-smacking dosas. Plus, there's also MovieMax - Goregaon West where you can catch a movie or shop at City Centre Mall in the vicinity, allowing you to spend a fun day with your family.
8. Frankie
Frankie takes major inspiration from the Lebanese pita and is one of the finest street foods in Mumbai today. It consists of flour wraps filled with eggs, mutton, chicken, mashed potatoes, cheese etc. There are so many versions of Frankie available on the streets of Mumbai nowadays. The main ingredient is complemented by raw onion and spicy sauces. It is a fulfilling delicacy to try!
Where do I get the best?
Where: Tibb’s Frankie
Address: Tibbs Mansion, Andheri Kurla Road, Doctor Charad Singh Colony, Andheri East Mumbai
Price: approx. 2 USD
Opening Hours: 10 am - 10 pm
Website: Tibb’s Frankie
9. Kheema Pao
I am sure by now you know how Mumbai loves Pav. Kheema Pav (or Pao) is another yummy street food that you must try. In this, the Pav comes with a dish of minced meat that is cooked in exotic spices. Make sure you have lemon wedges, onions, and pickles as sides to go with this street food.
Where do I get the best?
Where: Olympia Coffee House
Address: Rahim Mansion No.1, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Police Colony, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai
Price: approx. 2 USD
Opening Hours: 7 am - 12 am
Website: Olympia Coffee House
10. Misal Pao
You’ve got the Pav drill by now, haven’t you? In this traditional Maharashtrian dish, Pav is accompanied with a spicy curry made with mixed sprouts or moth beans, called Misal. Misal is often topped with onions and tomatoes. It is one of the healthiest and most fulfilling street snacks to indulge in.
Where do I get the best?
Where: Aaswad
Address: LJ Road, Shivaji Park, Gadkari Chowk, Dadar Shivaji Park, Mumbai
Price: approx. 2 USD
Opening Hours: 10 am - 10.30 pm
Website: Aaswad
Amazing eats in Mumbai
Enjoy delicious street food when you visit Mumbai. Try out these suggestions and let us know what you think!
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