Mumbai: best restaurants & unforgettable adventures in India

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You have definitely seen those scary videos on YouTube about Indian trains. Well, they are partially true. But only during ‌peak hours, when millions of locals need to get to work and back home. So if you want to save time and money, you can easily get on a local train at one of the Western Railway stations, get to the Churchgate terminus and reach Colaba district – the very heart of old Bombay (earlier name of the city). But make sure to travel when the station is not very crowded, or use the help of friendly local people. They will always guide you.

At the very seaside in Colaba, discover the Gateway of India – an arch monument that was built in the 20th century. It was dedicated to welcome the British monarchs, King George V and Queen Mary, on their first visit to India in 1911. The arch was built by a Scottish architect, George Wittet. This colossal structure is one of the most photographed spots in the city nowadays.

Theobroma is an incredibly popular chain of cafes and dessert shops in the entire country. When it comes to choosing a cake for a special event, this cozy pastel-blue colored establishment is everyone’s favorite. The outlet in Colaba is hidden behind ‌monumental 19th century buildings in one of the narrow, crowded alleys.

Here, you can start your day with a perfectly prepared breakfast at a reasonable price, served by the friendliest staff members. Enjoy their smokey barbeque chicken sandwich or try a vegan spinach, corn & cheese sandwich, accompanied by a cup of strong dark roasted Indian coffee. For all sweet lovers, Theobroma has an enormous choice of brownies, cheesecakes, croissants, and teacakes. At this cafe, your adventurous day will start on the right note.

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Disclaimer: In this area, you might lose all your money due to inability to stop your shopping urges. The name of this attraction says it all: on this shopping street you will find numerous stalls selling local jewellery, leather goods, books, home decor, Indian colorful clothes, and so much more. While buying souvenirs, remember one rule: keep bargaining. It’s a part of local culture that will really help you save some money, plus it’s real fun.

Since Mumbai’s weather is really hot and humid, it might be useful to take a break from exhausting shopping and take a glass of freshly squeezed sugar-cane juice or coconut juice full of healthy electrolytes. You can get these at every corner, and the drinks are really cheap and extremely healthy. But for a full meal, you should go to the iconic Leopold Cafe nearby.

Founded in 1871 as one of Irani's eateries, Leopold has always been a beloved spot among tourists. With a bazillion of variously shaped and styled posters, stickers, and photos on its walls, an enthusiastic and energetic team, and a simple yet incredibly delicious menu, Leopold Cafe remains one of the most visited restaurants in the city. If you get a window seat, please be careful and don't put your bags on the window sill, because the glass facade still has bullet holes from the tragic 2008 attack, and the restaurant owners have preserved them as a memorial and as a symbol of defiance.

For a filling meal, order tandoori roast chicken with chili lemongrass rice. You can also go for a continental asparagus risotto or choose pasta with a traditional or local sauce. But we definitely recommend you to indulge in the dishes that have been served here for over 150 years, such as paneer tikka, tangdi kebab, and many more.

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After all the sightseeing and shopping, you might want to see some dynamic action. For this, head down to Mahalaxmi. It’s one of the richest neighborhoods in Mumbai that houses the most expensive properties. Mahalaxmi horse racing track has a long history: built in 1883, it hosts the noble sport annually from November till April. Otherwise, you can come here to do yoga, chill with your friends during a picnic, or do some jogging. Interested in horse riding classes? Check out the info desk to see available slots in advance. Sometimes the Mahalaxmi Racecourse also hosts big festivals and food fairs.

Since Mumbai is the Bollywood center of India, while visiting the city, you might easily run into famous and influential people. For its elegant light-colored and spacious design with the finest dining standards, Tote on the Turf has become a beloved hub for local celebrities. In a busy, constantly humming city of Mumbai, this place looks like a real oasis with its beautiful outside seating area surrounded by an enormous garden providing shade and breathtaking setting.

In the afternoon, you can savor their bottomless biryani brunch with a choice of mocktails, beers, or cocktails. To relish a real parade of flavors, order their chicken and fresh coriander soup, asparagus and pistachio soup, wok-tossed baby potatoes in Kerala spices, or tandoor-cooked lamb chops. Their kulfi falooda – a traditional dessert made of rose syrup, vermicelli, basil seeds, and milk – will leave you speechless.

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In the evening, head towards Marine Drive. The walk from Mahalaxmi is going to be really long and exhausting, so we recommend you to install Ola or Uber India app on your phone and take a cab. So you will not be charged extra, which often happens to foreigners, and the drive will be comfortable and safe. Marine Drive is a lovely promenade often referred to by locals as Queen’s Necklace. If you get to an elevated point after sunset, the lights and the C-shape of the promenade will resemble a string of pearls.

Most of the buildings in the area built in ‌art deco style, belong to the wealthiest community – Parsis. Along the stretch of Marine Drive, you will find many elite members-only cricket clubs. But to visit our next recommendation, you don’t need a membership.

Originally named Jazz by the Bay and known for its atmospheric evenings with talented live jazz performances, this place has one of the best locations in the Old Town with a stunning seaview. True to the architectural style of Marine Drive buildings, Pizza by the Bay attracts locals and tourists with its minimalistic white art deco interiors.

For every early bird, they offer a special breakfast menu including freshly baked croissants, French toasts, Florentine eggs, potato gratins, and fluffy pancakes. They boast their signature pizza recipe with a secret ingredient – fresh homemade tomato sauce without any artificial ingredients. Check out their Bombay masala pizza with Indian spices, chicken tikka masala, or pizza Lombardia with German bratwurst. Enjoy the view of the promenade with a glass of India’s quality wine from Nashik’s Sula Vineyards.

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For our last destination – Taj Mahal Palace Hotel – you’ll have to head back to Colaba. You can use a local taxi, but check that the driver has an installed meter. Bearing the same name as the Taj Mahal in Agra, this architectural masterpiece is a luxurious 5-star hotel chain that is over a century ‌old. The most recognizable thing about the Taj is undoubtedly its Saracenic Revival style typical for the late 19th century – a fusion of traditional Indian, Indo-Islamic architecture with Neo-Gothic and Neo-Classical influence of British colonialism.

It is the epitome of Indian heritage that has housed such personalities like Barack Obama with his family, Prince William with Kate Middleton, and King Charles III.

It is very easy to miss this truly heritage establishment because it’s located on one of Ballard Estate’s narrow back streets, and its interiors are simple and old-fashioned. This establishment serving traditional Parsi, Iranian, and Indian dishes was founded in 1923 by Rashid Kohinoor. His son, Boman, born in the same year, has been taking care of this place till the age of 97. Even at his senior age, Mr. Kohinoor Jr. would always greet his guests like dear friends, have a small talk with them, and make sure that they enjoyed the service.

Britannia & Co is an absolute must go. Don’t miss out a chance to taste their chicken berry pulao made of basmati rice, a sprinkle of barberries with chicken masala, Irani spiced chai, and a creamy sweet mishti doi (a traditional Bengali curd-based dessert).

Though Mumbai is a very busy city, and locals have to go through a lot of day-to-day struggle, once you understand the vibe and get to know the authentic culture and traditions, your time in the capital of Maharashtra will become full of great adventures. The very best thing about this multi-million city is its friendly and welcoming people who are always ready to help.

Have you been to Mumbai already? Do you like traditional Indian food? Share your experience with other foodies in the comment section below.