Best of Mumbai
Where locals eat in Mumbai
Start with Ashok Vada Pav in Dadar West, near Kirti College for vada pav with spicy garlic and sweet tamarind chutneys, Bademiya in Colaba for the seekh kebabs and baida roti and Soam in Chowpatty for the gatta curry, khichdi and sev tameta. Here are all 12, with what to get at each.
- Ashok Vada PavDadar West, near Kirti College
Get: Vada pav with spicy garlic and sweet tamarind chutneys; also the chura pav variant
The most famous stall in the city, run since 1966.
- BademiyaColaba · Street food kebabs
Get: the seekh kebabs and baida roti. Late-night crowds since 1946
Legendary late-night Colaba street-food stall, known for seekh kebabs and rolls grilled right on the street.
- SoamChowpatty · Gujarati
Get: the gatta curry, khichdi and sev tameta. Gujarati home cooking across from Babulnath
Clean, bright Chowpatty spot for refined Gujarati thalis and snacks like dhokla and khandvi.
- TrishnaKala Ghoda · Seafood
Get: the butter pepper garlic crab. Book ahead, the room is small
Buzzy Kala Ghoda seafood spot known for butter garlic crab and coastal Indian dishes in a lively, packed room.
- GajaleeVile Parle · coastal Maharashtrian seafood
Get: the bombil fry, clam masala and butter garlic prawns
Well-known Mumbai seafood restaurant specializing in coastal Maharashtrian dishes like bombil fry and crab masala.
- Mahesh Lunch HomeFort · Mangalorean seafood
Get: the butter garlic crab and prawn gassi with neer dosa
Bustling Mangalorean seafood institution in Fort, famous for butter pepper garlic crab and fried pomfret.
- Sardar Pav BhajiTardeo · pav bhaji
Get: the butter pav bhaji. Counter service is fastest
Iconic Tardeo street food stall known for buttery, spicy pav bhaji served fast to long lines.
- Swati SnacksTardeo · Gujarati snacks
Get: panki, sev puri and dal dhokli. Gujarati family cooking, with a queue at lunch
Popular Mumbai spot for Gujarati and street-style snacks, known for panki chatni and bhel in a casual setting.
- Britannia & Co.Ballard Estate · Parsi
Get: the berry pulav and sali boti. A Parsi cafe running since 1923
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What are the local restaurants in Mumbai?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Ashok Vada Pav (Dadar West, near Kirti College), Bademiya (Colaba) and Soam (Chowpatty). All 12 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Ashok Vada Pav, get vada pav with spicy garlic and sweet tamarind chutneys; also the chura pav variant. At Bademiya, get the seekh kebabs and baida roti. Late-night crowds since 1946. At Soam, get the gatta curry, khichdi and sev tameta. Gujarati home cooking across from Babulnath. At Trishna, get the butter pepper garlic crab. Book ahead, the room is small.
Which neighborhood is best for local restaurants in Mumbai?
Most of these are in Fort and Tardeo. The map on this page shows every one, numbered like the list.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Mumbai: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Mumbai
Local restaurants in other cities
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.