Where locals eat in Mumbai

The neighborhood places residents go back to, with what to order at each.

12 places in Mumbai · by Chef Amazing · updated October 20, 2026
Photo: Dr Vikramjit Kakati, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

1. 1

   Britannia & Co.

   Parsi · Ballard Estate

   Get: the berry pulav and sali boti

   A Parsi cafe running since 1923.

   Wakefield House, 11 Sprott Road, 16 Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai 400001 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   Café Madras

   Matunga

   Get: the ragi dosa, upma and filter coffee

   Expect a weekend wait.

   Also on the list: Breakfast and sandwiches in Mumbai.

   Bhau Daji Road, 400019 Matunga East · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   Swati Snacks

   Gujarati snacks · Tardeo

   Get: panki, sev puri and dal dhokli

   Gujarati family cooking, with a queue at lunch.

   248 Karai Estate, Opp. Bhatia Hospital, Tardeo, Mumbai – 400007 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Gajalee

   Coastal Maharashtrian seafood · Vile Parle

   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.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Mahesh Lunch Home

   Mangalorean seafood · Fort

   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.

   Ground Floor, Life Insurance Building, 8-B, Cawasji Patel Rd, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Ram Ashraya

   Matunga

   Get: the neer dosa, idli and pineapple sheera

   Opens early, and families wait at peak.

   Also on the list: Breakfast and sandwiches in Mumbai.

   Shreeji Sadan, Kabutar Khana, 24, Bhandarkar Rd, opposite Matunga (C.R.), Matunga East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400019, India · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   Kyani & Co.

   Marine Lines

   Get: bun maska, chai and the mawa cake

   An Irani cafe open since 1904.

   Also on these lists: Breakfast and sandwiches in Mumbai, New and hot in Mumbai.

   Jer Mahal, 657 Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Rd, Marine Lines · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   Sardar Pav Bhaji

   Pav bhaji · Tardeo

   Get: the butter pav bhaji

   Counter service is fastest.

   166 A, Tardeo Road Junction, Opposite Bus Depot, Tardeo, Mumbai 400034 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
9. 9

   Soam

   Gujarati · Chowpatty

   Get: the gatta curry, khichdi and sev tameta

   Gujarati home cooking across from Babulnath.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    Trishna

    Seafood · Kala Ghoda

    Get: the butter pepper garlic crab

    Book ahead, the room is small.

    Map · Add to Chef Amazing
11. 11

    Ashok Vada Pav

    Dadar West, near Kirti College

    Get: the vada pav with dry garlic chutney

    Run by the same family since 1971.

    Also on these lists: New and hot in Mumbai, The best vada pav in Mumbai.

    N.M. Kale Marg, 400028 Dadar West · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
12. 12

    Bademiya

    Street food kebabs · Colaba

    Get: the seekh kebabs and baida roti

    Late-night crowds since 1946.

    Map · Add to Chef Amazing