Mumbai, the city of dreams, is the Indian equivalent of the New York City. While this island city is known for the glitz of Bollywood actor, the beautifully scenic sea faces, with the starry sky as a canopy over them, Mumbai is also well known as the heaven for your taste buds.
The culinary experience that this city has to offer is tantalizing like no other. The food culture here is a pleasant melange of high-end restaurants and street-food. More than anything it’s the hawkers that define this city which is wide wake forever. Here’s a list of some of the best street foods in Mumbai.
1. VADA PAV
Mumbai has around 50,000 vada pav stalls all over and it would be acceptable to be said that this deep fried potato patty served with the Indian styled bread. This spicy snack has become a staple food for all Mumbaikars, its popularity is so much that a rendition in the form of Jumbo King has been kicked off. All for the love of Vada Pav.
Where: At any roadside stall all over Mumbai
2. SHAWARMA
Shawarma is a roll of shredded chicken with spicy yet sweet mayonnaise sauce on top of it, its best served with a roti or a caboose (bread). Best enjoyed in the evening this snack is not only filling but also tantalizes your taste buds.
Where: Anywhere in Bandra especially near reclamation.
3. PAV BHAAJI
The deliciously mouth-watering Pav Bhaji with a dollop of butter on top is a personal favourite of all Mumbaikars. This being an entirely Maharashtrian dish, you will find many people who are taken by it as there are joints.
Where: Canon Pav Bhaji at C.S.T, Sardar Pav Bhaji at Tardeo
4. MAVA CAKE
The best place to indulge your sweet tooth in the most Irani fashion is the Merwan’s bakery. Although this irani eatery does not count as street food, it definitely satisfies your sweet cravings. The most loved items on the menu are Irani Chai, Bun Maska Pav and the constant favourite Mava Cake, which actually does melt in your mouth.
Where: Merwan’s Bakery, Opposite Grant Road Station.
5. FALOODAS AND MILKSHAKEÂ
Badshah is an eatery only known to serve milkshakes and drinks of all kinds, they have every type of falooda you can think of on their menu. The place to go to when you are parched after a long day of shopping in the vicinity. Another place for very soothing milk shakes is Bachelorr’s, with a wide variety or milk shakes and ice cream that are a perfect lift-me-up on a hot day.
Where: Badshash, Crawford Market; Bachelorr’s, Churney Road.
6. CHAAT:Â
Although chaat is essentially a North Indian snack but courtesy of the hawker culture in Mumbai, it has definitely become a bambaiya street food. From Ragda Pattis, Pani Puri to Bhel Puri and so on, chaat has become an essential part of being a Mumbaikar
Where: At any and every Chowpatty (sea face) there is in Mumbai.
7. KOTHIMBIR VADI AND MISAL PAV:Â
Aaswad and Aaram are two eateries which quite literally serve all the flavours of Maharashtra on your plate. Aaswad is a perpetually crowded place swarming with foodies wanting to taste the best of their menu, which is entirely their menu. Aaram serves a gobsmacking plate of Misal Pav and the most delicious Kothimbir Vadi.
Where: Aaswad, Dadar; Aaram, CST
8. KEBABS:Â
All things chicken and kebab are the most loved by everyone, especially Mumbaikars. So to fall in love with food all over again go to Khaugalli and the world famous Bhademiyan’s. The most succulent meat, with fried onion and paper thin roomali rotis, one whiff and you are in food heaven.
Where: Bademiyan, Colaba; Khau Galli, Colaba
