Where do I go for the Best Vegetarian Food in Mumbai ?
……Am a Foodie…have tried scores of restaurants,some expensive and some great value for money, across the city but have just a few favourite and top choices
…….Wanted to share this with all of you for a long time now…better late than never….many also serve Non Vegetarian Fare…however many people especially Gujaratis,Marwadis and South Indians are staunch and fussy Vegetarians and will vist only Veg restaurants as even the smell of Non Veg they cannot bear …Though I’m a Vegetarian,I’m not one of them
……and these choices are not gleaned from other sources…the Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating….and so the only source are my very own Taste Buds…..I have relished the food at these places more than once…what stands out common among all is the consistency of taste and the freshness of the ingredients…if you like a particular dish the first time,you will vist the place again and again and will get the same consistent taste
South Indian (Only Veg)…MYSORE CAFE in Matunga….Steaming Idlis (ask for their special red pudi powder in Oil…awesome) …Rasam Vada….Neer Dosa…Filter Coffee…Several Sunday Mornings begin with Breakfast at Mysore Cafe…Great Value for Money…has two sections…below is non a/c and up the staircase leads to the airconditioned seating area…you will have to share tables with others…packed on most mornings…Sundays double packed with waiting…around this are two other lovely similar fare restaurants,MADRAS CAFE and ANAND BHAVAN….Most Mumbaikars choices revolve around these three
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Dhiren…RAM ASHRAYA in Matunga for Mysore Sada and Filter Coffee
Anand…MYSORE CAFE in Matunga for Tomato Utthapa Omlet on Toast….ANAND BHAVAN for Kai Vada….MADRAS CAFE for Vada Sambhar…AMBA BHAVAN for Filter Coffee…UDIPI SRI KRISHNA for South Indian Thali….ROADSIDE CART for Mysore Masala outside Manis’s and opp Bhajan Samaj
Gujarati Thali (obviously only Veg)….PANCHAVATI GAURAV in Marine Lines…it’s just a coincidence it bears my name !.Food is less Oily…Place is hygenic and airconditioned..It offers Non Spicy food too for children and elders or those who find the main Thali too spicy.On weekdays it offers Thali Size Variations..Full or Part at cheaper cost…. THAKERS BHOJANALAY in Kalbadevi.I’ve had the best hot and piping ‘Moog ki dal ka Shira’ here in the Heavy Monsoons while it was pouring outside ……Rs 200 to Rs 300 on most days…Sunday will be higher…Season Specials are lovely…like Undhiyu in Winter….but you simply cannot eat such a Thali every day !
Chinese….MINGS in Colaba ( Buddha’s Delight with Chestnuts and their unique ground pepper and garlic in olive oil sauce is amazing…I lap up three bowls of it and not because it’s free !)….MAINLAND CHINA at Haji Ali and Andheri ( all their dishes are well cooked…but the choices from their Emperors Feast Menu are simply stunning)…DYNASTY at Santacruz.Great Value for Money.Great Waiting on most nights as more and more discover this place….try their Rainbow or Coriander Soup….ask the Steward or Captain for suggestions,especially those not on the menu
Italian…RELISH (Only Veg) at Churchgate and Nariman Point.There’s Cheese in just about every dish !…the fondue is quite good as are the Potato Gnocchi Dumplings with Herbed Rice…Just for kicks try out their test tube drink…5/6 flavours in different test tubes…..TRATTORIA at Taj President,Cuffe Parade
Punjabi/North Indian/Mughlai….KHYBER at Kala Ghoda (this is classy and pricy and has only two soup choices best skipped…good to impress clients though) ….DELHI DURBAR in Colaba for Soft Butter Naan and Reshmi Malai Paratha and Aloo Gobhi which I simply adore.It’s a no fuss no nonsense and good value for money airconditioned place and open till midnight too and crowded on weekends…JEWEL OF INDIA in Worli for Dum Biryani…its a popular haunt for the upwardly mobile as it also houses a lounge bar…the Biryani Vessel is covered by ‘Atta’ so the flavours are retained…dont be afraid to send it back if you find it a bit hastily cooked and therefore not tasting and emitting the aroma like it should
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Pranav….PRITAM DA DHABHA in Dadar,CARAVEN SARAI in Bandra and URBAN TADKA in Lokhandwala,Versova for Sarson ka Saag with Makki di Roti
Nakul Bajaj….CAFE APETITE in Andheri East and PRATAP’S in Andheri West for Sarson ka Saag with Makki di Roti
Shahzad Jimmy Vasaigara…seconds Nakul Bajaj for PRATAP’S
Praavin…BHAGAT TARACHAND at Sanpada,New Mumbai for great Punjabi Food
Continental….MOCAMBO in Fort ( serves good pre plated dishes and not too expensive)….FOUNTAIN CAFE at Fountain ( good choice…they also run the more famous FLAMBOYANTE for Fusion Food at Cuffe Parade…a bit pricy and they boast their Iced Tea is the best in town…just a boast really ) …CAFE PICOLO in Colaba (it is so small and tucked away that you may miss it…but the food is smashing and great value for money…ask for days specials)….MOSHE’s at Cuffe Parade.Those who are privileged to be members of elite clubs like CCI,Bombay Gymkhana and Willingdon can taste some great continental and fusion and Chinese fare at the speciality restaurants at these clubs at privileged prices too unlike those at MOSHE’s
Sizzlers….YOKOS at Fort….. Onion and Cheese Soup is really nice…and ask for extra bowls of pepper and garlic sauces on the side with your sizzler…make sure you ask for more of what you want and don’t want in your sizzler…like i prefer more mushrooms and french fries and no carrots….choice is varied…you can opt for rice or noodles…the Shashlik comes with a Cutlet….so don’t be afraid to ask what the different sizzlers on the menu contains….and wash it down with some great Iced Tea…Lemon and not Peach Flavour…A Sizzler is prized between Rs 300 to Rs 400 and can be shared by two too….so a meal for two with two iced teas,two soups and two sizzlers and no desserts will cost you @ Rs 1000…you can bring it down by to half by ordering just one of each and sharing it
Fast Food …..SARDARS for Pao Bhaji at Tardeo….not airconditioned…you may sniff at the hygiene and service….so takeawy is best….the Bhaji’s well smashed and cooked and topped with dollops of Real and Original Amul Butter…..has got a lovely taste….the Paos are dripping with Butter…served with cut onions and lemon….Love Butter…so simply Love Sardars !….Rs 60 thereabouts….SUBWAYS for Sandwiches all over Mumbai for their Value for Money Rs 50 6 inch Parmesan Roll with Cheese and my choice of freshly cut Vegetables with a liberal dose of South West Sauce,Mint Sauce and Mayonnaise with a hint of Mustard and Barbeque….VADA PAO Stall for the ubiquitious Vada Pao and Onion and Potato Bhajias at the Love Grove Flyover and Worli Sea Face Junction…I’ve had Vada Paos all over the City of Mumbai…but these guys at the Worli Stall have a great mix..not too spicy…and one does not blurp after eating their Vada Pao !…I prefer the Pao to be coated inside slightly with sweet chutney and a hint of the dry and red garlic masala powder
Mexican Food does not excite me much …but for those who are fond of it then NEW YORKERS (only Veg)at Chowpatty is a great place for Enchiladas…next to it is the popular CREAM CENTRE that is identified with the Best Chole Bhatura in town …I can vouch for this…….and in Maharashtrian Fare I simply love Puran Poli
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Dhiren….MAMLEDAR in Thane for Misal Pao
Anand…Opp Astik Samaj in Matunga for Sev Puri
BUT let me confide…there is simply no food like Home Food !…but once in awhile you do need to eat out…and for me it often is a professional compulsion
Does anyone know where in Mumbai Proper can one taste some authentic Sarson ka Saag with piping hot and fresh Makki di Roti with some white butter..even branded Amul butter would do for me !?….am sure there is a place…yet searching for it
Will keep on adding to the above List ,should I genuinely love the Food at that Place
Maybe you can share some of your choices in Mumbai…and I can go try them…and maybe thank you for discovering them !
Cheers ! and Bon Apetite !
Addendum
Some blog readers have repsonded with their choices as added above…will check them out…Thanks Guys