26 Of The Best Restaurants In Mumbai That Will Never Disappoint

We’re starting off strong with the legendary chef Jiggs Kalra’s legacy. Having been chosen to cook for visiting dignitaries from all over the world, the chef’s establishments are always going to make it to these lists, and with good reason! Masala Library was one of the very first places to reinvent Indian food, and is a pioneer when it comes to showing the world what Modern Indian food looks like. It’s quite bougie, so perfect for celebrations! After your hearty meal, wash it all down with a Curry Leaf Martini.

Must Try: We love the iconic Jalebi Caviar, the Crab Bhurji, the Paneer Burrata Lababdar, and the Kundapur Chicken.

Price for Two: INR 4,000

Vibrant, modern and still warm and familiar, SpiceKlub is another iconic spot that’s bringing creativity to the Indian food scene in Mumbai. This spot is uniquely fully vegetarian, so if you’re with a group that’s particular about these things, this is your spot! The menu features street eats and comfort foods presented with a twist—often involving some super fun molecular gastronomy. SpiceKlub has, ahem, “inspired” several restaurants world over with their fare.

Must Try: You’ve got to try the Vegetable and Beetroot Spheres, the Masala Minestrone Soup, the popular Pav Bhaji Fondue and the test-tube Pani Puri!

Price for Two: INR 1800

Pretty much impossible to do a list about the best restaurants in Mumbai without including TBC in it. This casual dining restaurant is famous world over, and is a popular spot frequented by celebs, and famous chefs, too! Helmed by the late Chef Floyd Cardoz, and now by Chef Hussain Shahzad, this spot has loyalists that visit every time they update their menu, every time the seasons pass!

Must Try: Head here for their iconic seasonal specials, whether it’s the Mirchi Bada and Beet Poriyal from the Summer menu, or the Charred Carrots and Dum ka Rajma from their Winter menu. The drinks here are stellar, too!

Price for Two: INR 1,700

Among the first in India to offer an elaborate 10-course Chef’s Tasting Menu, Masque is a super fancy restaurant that is doing stunning Modern Indian food, but making it a touch more technical. Masque seeks to use local ingredients, but also to revisit traditional cooking practices. It’s expensive, but it’s truly considered “an experience”. Save up and head here for an anniversary date or 50th birthday.

Must Try: Head Chef Varun Totlani conjures up fascinating fare including dishes like the Morel Yakhni Pulao, the Kheema Samosa, the Kashmiri Cherry & Chocolate Ice Cream, and the Terra cocktail.

Price for Two: INR 6,000

Tresind first opened in 2014 in Dubai, seeking to progressively present Modern Indian Cuisine. What separates Tresind from the rest is the fact that the service here is quite unique—you’ll be walked through every single dish as it is brought to your table, and many dishes are often prepared right in front of you. The experience is meant to be highly visual, engaging, and sophisticated. This is where you take the parents for a big anniversary, or your partner when you get a raise!

Price for Two: INR 8,000

Ekaa’s the new kid on the block, hanging out amongst the OGs, but still holding its own! With a fairly large menu with items that allow a singular ingredient to shine, we find most of the menu super interesting. What we also love is that Ekaa is very vegan-friendly, too!

Must Try: The Arbi that is served with a green tomato rojo, a rice tortilla, pickled raw papaya and seasonal greens. The Mushroom comes with a brown butter soy mash, sesame cucumber, and aioli. The After 8 dessert is much loved, and so’s the Honeycomb.

Price for Two: INR 4,000

Located near Shivaji Park, Prakash is an OG when it comes to Maharashtrian fare. It's a humble space, so don't expect service and ambiance, but expect zanzannit food that's spicy, perfectly seasoned, and moreish. Also, when you head here, you'll have to be open to sharing tables.

Must Try: Sabudana Vadas, Misal, Kothimbir wadi and other stuff including Masale Bhat, Pulav Kari, and veggies like Bharli Vangi.

Price for Two: INR 150

London's Foodie Hub Global Awards has awarded Aaswad's Misal as the best vegetarian food in the world, in the past. Aaswad regularly features on lists that discuss the best places in the world to catch vegetarian food, and authentic Maharashtrian food. And we can testify that these accolades are all worth it. This is one of those places where every single menu item is a hit.

Must Try: Dahi Misal, Pohe, Varan Bhaat and Matki Usal!

Price for Two: INR 300

Part of the same restaurant chain, these 2 places are well known for their amazing fish thalis, and the OG Dadar branch has been around for decades. Nav Chaitanya is making their yummy food accessible to everyone in the 'burbs too! The menu features a whole lot of Malvani foods, with several thalis to choose from. Don't be fooled, though— their Veg thali is delicious, too!

Must Try: Kombdi, Halwa, Surmai, Pomfret, Prawns, Gavthi Chicken. 

Price for Two: INR 550

Thane's a part of Mumbai as far as we're concerned, so this icon is definitely making it to this list. This pocket-friendly spot is well known amongst the locals of Thane, and has lots of loyalists who swear by their Chicken, Mutton, Fish and Prawn Thalis. This is a humble spot, so the focus is on food, and food alone, here! We hear the Pandhra Rassa here is to die for!

Must Try: You can get the all the Maharashtrian classics here, and then a few lesser-known foods like Alani Bhaat, Tandool Bhakri, and more.

Price for Two: INR 400

Mahesh Lunch home is an OG for everyone who's a fan of coastal cuisine. We admit this isn't just Maharashtrian per se, but this falls into Konkan/North Karnataka territory, with some touches of South Indian and North Indian fare throughout the menu. This place is a touch fancier than the rest, and is lovely for celebrations, too.

Must Try: Butter Pepper Garlic Crab, Meen Porichattu, Clams Malwani Koshimbir and Saoji Mutton. 

Price for Two: INR 2,000

Locals know about how amazing the food here is. We all love the fried garlic that comes as a side, the paan shot that's the perfect palate cleanser, and the experimental Vodka Pani Puri. Known for their Mughlai food, fair warning, the food is ultra indulgent, and everything is makkhan-laden and calorie-unfriendly, but worth it.

Must Try: We love their Sarson Ka Saag and Makai ki Roti, and their Butter Chicken. 

Price for Two: INR 950

This luxe-ish restaurant features the most iconic dishes of the erstwhile Grand Trunk Road, that stretches from the north west to the east of the country. Featuring Lucknowi, Awadhi, Mughlai and some Bengali fare, this spot is sophisticated, and has perfected every aspect of their menu, from starters and drinks to mains and desserts. It's lovely for a post-work dinner date, and for a family lunch!

Must Try: We love the Gosht Nihari, Patthar ke Kabab, Peer Dhuan Gosht and the Doodh Jalebi. 

Price for Two: INR 3,000

Punjab Grill is the second restaurant on this list, from Chef Jiggs Kalra's legacy. A true-blue North Indian fine-dine restaurant, this one's perfect for times when you want Mughlai khaana that's just right. It's not greasy, it's light, it's elevated, and still screams comfort food. Pair that with bougie interiors and chic vibes, and you have a winner. The best part? They've now got quite a few outlets across the city.

Must Try: The classics - from the Karachi Chargha 645, to the Ambarsari Machhi, to the Punjab Grill Kulhad Meat Curry!

Price for Two: INR 2,800 

Peshawri seeks to serve the best of the North-Western Frontier cuisine. With a concise menu that has every single menu item perfected to the last detail, this spot takes away the exhaustion of a million choices, with no compromises made on taste and quality. The open kitchen, the cozy seating and the warm lighting has made this spot a landmark for decades, and you'll find quite a few tourists here, too. Head here for a celebratory meal before jetting off to a holiday!

Price for Two: INR 8,500

This one's fancy, fancy, fancy. Jamavar seeks to dish up food that the royals of yore ate, using traditional recipes and cooking techniques. With silver cutlery and crockery, and an ambiance that is super regal. Your parents will love this one, and it's just the place to celebrate a birthday, or 25th anniversary dinner.

Must Try: Dum biryani and kebabs

Price for Two: INR 5,500

Tanjore Tiffin Room hit the scene outta nowhere, and has now become a favourite for those who want a South Indian meal that's just a lil more bar-friendly. Their stellar drinks (the Garden Galatta is our fave), their yummy starters and their legendary curry samplers and South Indian curries. This is a casual dining spot that's also right for a Sunday brunch!

Must Try: Railway curry and Vathakozhumbu

Price for Two: INR 1,800

This gatekept gem, serves the best authentic Kerala food! Deluxe is a mainstay for those that want that authentic Malabari taste. If you're from Kerala and are feeling homesick, they've got Pazham Pori and Bonda, too!

Must Try: Picture perfect Onasadhya to their amazing Karimeen and Nadan Chicken curry,

Price for Two: INR 400

Any time you go to Dakshinayan, you're bound to see it filled to the brim with Gujjus. That's how you know the food here is great. Dakshinayan's menu features home-style South Indian fare like Pongal, and they know it makes sense to have their sambar and chutney served from jugs. It's the perfect spot to go at all times of the day, just as long as you don't mind waiting for a table.

Must Try: Everything's a hit, here, so order single portions of as many menu items as you can!

Price for Two: INR 600

Soam exemplifies Gujju/Rajasthani comfort food, and has been a celeb favourite for decades. Of course they offer all the classics, but we now appreciate their new-age adaptations of classic dishes, that often feature millets. Their menu is seasonal, and you'll see tidbits from all over India on it, but their mainstays are Gujju/Rajasthani foods.

Must Try: Red Rice and Cucumber dosas, Brown Chana Hummus, and Shakarkandi ki Chaat.

Price for Two: INR 950

Gone are the days when the people from the 'burbs left home at 7 AM on Sunday to grab breakfast at Swati. We're glad they opened up a branch in Juhu, we really are. We hear the Ambanis are regulars at Swati, and it's no surprise. Please don't eat a big breakfast if you're heading here for lunch. That's all we're gonna say.

Must Try: Suva Paankis, Dhoklas, Fada ni Khichdi, Satpadi Rotli and Gatta nu Shaak.

Price for Two: INR 700

This place featured on Netflix's Ugly Delicious, with chef David Chang, in the episode that featured Indian food. Shree Thaker's exemplifies the thali experience beautifully, and we don't think they could have picked a better spot to feature. At least 3 kinds of breads, 3-4 starters, 4-5 sabzis, 2 kinds of dal, 2 kinds of papad, kadhi, rice, khichdi, 2 desserts. There's nothing you could possibly miss when you head here for a thali. Make plans, like, now.

Must Try: Thali 

Price for Two: INR 1300

This is the second entrant in this list from Hunger Inc, and this one, too is helmed by Chef Hussain Shahzad. Their drinks are lovely, too, and it's a great place to spend a Friday evening after work, if your office is close by. If not, head here for a foolproof elevated Goan dinner when you can't take leaves for a trip!

Must Try: BKC mainstay is famous for its Sea Bass Ceviche, Poee, Bebinca, Shrimp Wafers, Sweet Potato Dan-Gar, Green Watana Rassa.

Price for Two: INR 3,500

Craving a perfectly crispy Mochar Chop, a proper Calcutta Fish Fry, luscious Ilish Paturi, or a Channar Kalia that'll have you running back for weeks? Oh! Calcutta is your place. Few places in the city get Bengali food so right, and this chain has been amazingly consistent through the years. It's not too fancy, but is still quite nice, and every menu item is a hit.

Must Try: Fish Fry 

Price for Two: INR 1,300

An import from the capital, we're glad they set up shop here. This reduces our levels of FOMO about Majnu Ka Tila by quite a lot. Himalayan/Tibetan fare is extremely underrepresented in the city, and Yeti is changing that. It's beautiful to see it all presented here, and it's great for when you're feeling experimental.

Must Try: Aloo Sadeko, Phokso, Thakale and Ema Datchi. 

Price for Two: INR 1,300

We hear CinCin has some of the best pizzas and pastas the city has to offer, and a Tiramisu that's hard to beat. If the beautiful interiors aren't enough bait. 

Must Try: Rush here for their Carpaccio, Orecchiette, their Napoli Pizza, the Pollo Piccatta and the super tasty Italian-inspired cocktails.

Price for Two: INR 3,500