Mumbai, India: Best way to explore the glorious city and its food

Aarey Forest. Photo by Kruti Mehta on Unsplash

Let’s get it straight: India’s financial capital is not a city to easily stroll. The Old Bombay districts, such as Colaba or Lower Parel, are, indeed, pretty walkable zones where a tourist not knowing the ins and outs of local life can navigate. But if you are looking for something less busy, catch a train at Churchgate heading towards Goregaon East. There, you will reach Aarey – the Lungs of Mumbai.

Boasting over 500,000 trees, this oasis provides a marvelous escape from the honking rickshaws, and never-stopping crowds. It instantly makes travelers feel as if they are no longer in one of the world's most densely populated megalopolises, but in a remote village embraced by lush greenery. Civil activists put a lot of effort into protecting this natural treasure from the expansion of city construction. Now and then, someone tries to chop off a piece of land from the forest. Luckily, Aarey is still standing.

Discover the curved paths, pass by the Milk Colony dotted with little farmhouses, and meet majestic cows lazily grazing on some grass. The area is inhabited by various species of birds, butterflies, and snakes. What is the most noticeable thing about this destination is that it is an example of human-leopard peaceful co-existence in an urban environment. And while the idea might sound bizarre to many, it is actually true. But fret not: there is no danger, as long as you stay only on the defined routes and leave the jungle before sunset.

Opened in 1984, Naturals is an artisanal ice cream parlor chain that has grown into a national brand with over 130 outlets. The sweet tooth paradise was founded by Mr. Raghunandan Srinivas Kamath, a Manglorian fruit vendor, who left his hometown for Mumbai to set up a small street food stall where he would serve just two items – pav bhaji and ice cream. His delight became so popular in 1994 that it started causing traffic jams on the highways of the Juhu area.

Today, every person who has tasted Naturals, swears by it and believes it can give the Italian gelato a run for its money. The unique feature of the desserts is that they contain no artificial flavors, no preservatives or stabilizers, only fresh fruit pulp or dry nuts. Visitors can relish scrumptious seasonal offerings, such as coconut, papaya-pineapple, mango, custard apple, almond, cashew, dates, lychee, grapes, and malai (milk cream). During mid-summer, patrons get to enjoy strawberry pieces with malai as well as Alphonso mango (considered the best in the world) with milk cream.

Average bill – ₹120 ($1,45)

Bollywood Tours. Photo by https://www.facebook.com/wearefilmcitymumbai

After the tremendous worldwide success of the RRR film, crowned by winning an Oscar for Best Original Song, and All That Breathes being nominated for Best Documentary by the Academy, those of us (if any) who never heard of the captivating Indian movies production were introduced to the entire universe of beautifully choreographed, passionate, and expressive storytelling.

Did you know that not every Shah Rukh Khan appearance on screen can be categorized as Bollywood? Actually, there are dozens of flick types based on style, spoken language, and region: Tollywood, Chhollywood, Pollywood, and Kollywood, to name a few. But in Mumbai, you get to explore the former to its fullest extent by visiting Film City – the pulsing heart of any shooting process. Situated in Goregaon, it is convenient to add this sight to your itinerary after the Aarey stroll.

Bollywood Park is brimming with jaw-dropping decorations and replicated sets, divided into three themed zones. You can enjoy entertaining shows and live dance performances as well as cinematic rides and other attractions, or discover the historic aspects of this visual art and learn about editing, CGI, costume design, and sound.

Entry fee – ₹599 – ₹1699 (depending on the package) ($7 – $20)

A lovely trip through the glitz and glamor of Bollywood should be followed by a visit to Goregaon Social in Oberoi Mall for a fun dining experience. It is a unique restaurant chain renowned for its innovative idea of being a co-working space during the day and a bar lounge at night. If you check out the place around brunch time, it will look like an elegant café full of business individuals, influencers, freelancers, and social media marketing managers. But in the evening, it transforms into a party center with a DJ and a young crowd of people.

Take a seat at one of its communal wooden tables, or stand at the drink counter surrounded by rustic brick columns. The kitchen team presents a food menu of fusion Indian-Asian cuisine. Expect to sample signature dishes like butter chicken biryani, chili paneer (cottage cheese), butter garlic prawns, pan-fried basa fish in lemon butter emulsion, barbeque chicken poutine, Kerala-style pork belly fry, and baby back pork ribs with mash. They also offer a variety of beverage options: craft beer, fruity cocktails, and special mocktails to pair with your meal.

Average bill – ₹650 ($7,85)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST). Photo by Rishu Bhosale on Unsplash

One thing that might confuse first-time travelers in Mumbai, is the omnipresence of sights named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: the airport, the museum, and other significant landmarks celebrate the brilliant Indian warrior, including CST (formerly Victoria Terminus) – a historic railway station in the stunning Old Bombay area.

The building, dating back to 1878, is a gorgeous monument of Victorian Gothic Revival style and a fully functional part of Mumbai’s train system, ranked as one of the world’s most efficient transportation networks (which is almost a mission impossible, considering the number of passengers every day). If you want to explore the grandeur of this UNESCO World Heritage site, pick your timings right: avoid rush hours, and you will be able to gaze at the marvelous central dome, pointed arches, and spires, beautifully fusing Indian and British aesthetics. Note that according to local regulations, to enter the platform, even if you are not intending to get on the train, requires visitors to purchase a ticket. No worries, the prices are more than pleasant.

Platform ticket – ₹10 ($0,12)
1st class train ticket – ₹50 – ₹245 ($0,60 – $2,96)
2nd class train ticket – ₹5 – ₹35 ($0,06 – $0,4)

A true foodie cannot visit Mumbai and leave without trying an authentic Indian thali. Once you have explored the architectural brilliance of CST, head over to Revival, one of the oldest eateries in the city. It is a pet-friendly vegetarian venue nestled opposite Girgaum Chawpatty. The decor is simple and minimalist, coupled with a quick and friendly service.

The kitchen revolves around an elaborate traditional à la carte offering, but it is the thali (meaning a plate in Hindi) menu that has put this place on the map. It consists of a platter of food, featuring a salad, two or three types of vegetables, bread, a dessert, and a rice preparation. Guests can indulge in specialty items: chickpea curry with white rice, vegetable bhuna (sauté) with butter garlic naan, aloo (potato) tikka kebab, dal makhani (black lentils) with jeera rice, palak paneer (spinach with cottage cheese), vegetable Hyderabadi biryani, and stuffed mushroom.

Average bill – ₹480 ($5,80)

Idols of Lord Ganpati on display. Photo by Sonika Agarwal on Unsplash

In our previous highlight of Mumbai’s top attractions, we have mentioned Fashion Street. But if your shopping urges are greater, then Crawford Market is the place to satisfy them. Named after the city’s first Municipal Commissioner, Arthur Crawford, it is situated in and around an impressive 1869 building, known for being the first structure in the country to be illuminated by electricity in 1882.

If you find yourself in the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus area, a walk to the bustling market from there will only take several minutes. Among the loaded stalls, you will discover an infinite amount of royally embroidered sarees, colorful fabrics, shiny jewelry, dangerously towered cups with hand painted bowls, and mountains of masala and dried fruits.

Rumor has it, there are also secret corners illegally selling exotic animals around here, but there hasn’t been any proof of that. What we know for sure is that local shopkeepers jack up the prices illegally high, especially when they catch sight of a foreigner. Our piece of advice: don’t be afraid to bargain. It’s a whole culture, and you will be surprised how this skill might benefit your souvenir budget.

You probably would have built an appetite after browsing through the crowded streets of Crawford Market. Take a respite at the nearby multi-cuisine restaurant of Ustaadi. It is a warm and welcoming place with a rustic setting created by combining twenty hotel rooms together. The interiors are vintage and snug in atmosphere, complete with bare masonry works, refurbished tables made of waste plywood, brick line columns, and hanging lantern lights.

Ustaadi, meaning mastery, takes you on a culinary journey across the country with a vast menu celebrating Mughlai, North Indian, Pan-Asian, and Middle Eastern delicacies. Patrons of the establishment can savor scrumptious items, including crispy pan-fried prawns, chicken tikka masala with onion kulcha (flat bread), lal murgh (red meat) gravy with garlic naan, tadka dal (spiced lentils) with steam rice, lamb kebab, chicken tandoori with raita (yogurt dip), and vegetable pulao (a rice preparation). The second floor features a separate dessert zone where you can unveil the world of authentic sweet dishes like gulab jamun, ras malai, caramel custard, and phirni.

Average bill – ₹500 ($6)

Our final attraction – Imagicaa – is a whole day trip, for which you’ll have to travel to the Khalapur area outside of Mumbai. Better leave the city at dawn, if you are going by car. Otherwise, the insane traffic might increase your journey from one up to five hours. As they say, it is the early bird that catches the worm. Don’t hesitate: all the getting up before usual time inconveniences will be forgotten once you see the gargantuan Wonderland oozing joy and happiness.

Some of Imagicaa’s rides are not for the faint-hearted: Nitro – India’s fastest and wildest roller coaster, with a free fall and spins providing an extreme adrenaline rush; Scream Machine – the name says it all; Rajasaurus River Adventure – the thrill of sudden turns, realistic dinosaurs, and a speedy slide down the rail direct into a huge pool. On top of that, you can experience breathtaking visual simulations, a scary labyrinth, and fun water activities.

If you get hungry, Imagicaa has got you covered: the premises house several restaurants, food stalls, and cafés, serving Indian and international fare. But for a grand culmination of the day, we suggest heading back to the big city and treating yourself to an unforgettable meal at KOKO.

General ticket – ₹1,699 ($20)

KOKO is a Pan-Asian legacy institution that started with Mon Yiu Tham. 65 years ago, driven by the idea of reshaping the local culinary milieu, he moved to Bombay. Later on, his grandsons, Ryan and Keenan, took over and continued the task with full devotion, finding their niche in Indian gastronomy and establishing three venues: The Good Wife, Foo, and KOKO.

Orchestrated by Head Chef of Chef Eric Sifu, the professional F&B team invites you for a luxurious dining experience. Adorned with sophisticated and stylish interiors, the spacious hall is a perfect backdrop for your gourmet journey. Chef Sifu’s take on the menu is influenced by his Malaysian roots, and his previous work at Singapore’s Michelin-starred Din Tai Fung guarantees superb visual aesthetics and bold flavor combinations.

Order Peking duck, crispy pork belly, hearty tom yum soup, Chilean sea bass dumplings, or Thai lotus root, and your taste buds will be delighted. But what’s more, Koko’s beverage program is as exceptional as its food. Developed by mixologist Dimi Lezinska, it boasts intriguing cocktails, featuring such ingredients as matcha tea, seaweed, and Parmesan, to name a few.

Average bill – ₹2800 ($33)

A vacation in Mumbai, when planned well, can turn into an exciting adventure full of unforgettable one-of-a-kind experiences. To learn the city routes might take some practice, and getting used to the humid weather conditions is a bit challenging as well. So make sure to always keep water with you, and if you suddenly feel exhausted, a myriad of street vendors serving freshly pressed sugar cane juice will help rejuvenate your energy.

Have you been to India already? Which attractions would you add to the must-visit list? Drop a comment below, and we might consider your ideas for one of our upcoming reviews.