'Muh meetha ho jaye?' None of our wedding festivities or special occasions are complete without this phrase. Despite millions of sweet shops across the city, some have really stood out with their excellent quality. These stores have welcomed generations of people, ranging from those celebrating an occasion to those looking to grab a quick, economical bite. Here, we look at some of the best and iconic sweet shops across Mumbai.
Also do check out these iconic sweet shops that deliver Pan-India!
Nestled in the lanes of Byculla, not very far from the Jijamata Udyan (aka Rani Baug), this fancy mithai shop is full of surprise. Think Chikki bars, swanky decor and an array of mithai options for sweet lovers like you. The Bombay Sweet Shop has managed to reimagine Indian mithai in new and cooler ways, and there's a lot to try here. Additionally, their seasonal favourites are almost always experimental.
LBB's Favourites: Pista Khubani Jim Jam Barfi, Anjeer Chocolate Roll, Vegan Power Barfi, Doodh Boondi Laddu, Dodha Barfi, and Badam Paak
A well-established sweet confectioner, Brijwasi continues to reign in this market since 1946. Popularly known for its fresh mawa and pure ghee sweets, Brijwasi promises premium quality and efficient service. In fact, they claim that each and every ingredient of theirs, from dry fruits to ghee, is sourced from the best places in the world. Over the years, they are even bringing in innovation. For instance, they've introduced sugar-free and diet sweets.
LBB's Favourites: Gujiya, Kesari Peda, Nariyal and Chocolate Barfi, Malai Ghevar, Golden Cake and Chocolate Roll
Located near Dadar TT Circle, this pre-independence era sweet shop doesn’t offer any seating and is only a takeaway joint. They serve various kinds of sweets and farsan items. People flock here for their popular batata vadas, samosa, pattice and dhokla. But the mithai here is worth packing away too.
LBB's Favourites: Karanji, Puran Poli, Kaju Katli, Malai Gota, Badam Pista Halwa, and White Ice Halwa
Fun Fact: They were one of the first shops in Mumbai to start selling Bengali sweets, and they had Bengali sweet-makers come in from Kolkata.
Founded in 1955, Tawwakal was originally a small shop that sold delicious, traditional recipes, which have been handed down through generations. Today, 62 years later, Tawwakal is one of the most-loved sweet shops in Mumbai. No visit to Mohammed Ali road is complete without a phirni or some malpua from this shop. If you're trying to keep things a little less indulgent, go for their date and anjeer-based sweets. They're sugar-free!
LBB's Favourites: Malai Khaja, Mango Phirni, Mawa Jalebi, Hot Malpua and their iconic Sutarfeni. Now that the mango season is around the corner, don't forget to try their Mango Malai.
First established in 1950s, Jhama Sweets had a small and humble start in Chembur's Sindhi Camp. The sweet shop, which started off with only eight sweets, offers around 200 types of sweets, namkeens and chocolates today. Since it's establishment, they've been known popularly for their gulab jamun, Rajasthani kalakand and sev barfi, and other sweets of the Sindhi community.
LBB's Favourites: Pista Barfi, Sev Barfi, Gulab Jamun, Mawa Peda, Soan Papdi
If you live in Andheri, chances are you've been to Gulatis for their mouth-watering Chole Bhature. But that's not all they're known for. The sweet shop has a wide range of sweets that you can satiate your sweet tooth with, from milk cakes to gulab jamuns and motichur ladoo, they've got it all.
LBB's Favourite: Doodh Barfi, Malai Cake, Rabdi and Balushahi
If you love hot, crispy jalebis, you've gotta try the ones from JJ Jalebi. While jalebi is obviously their USP, they've also got other sweets that you can enjoy like gulab jamun, malpua, rabdi, halwa and phirni.
LBB's Favourites: Jalebi with Rabdi, Gulab Jamun with Rabdi, Pot Rabdi, and Malpua with Rabdi
Beginning in Indore, Sri Gangour expanded to Mumbai with its sweets and snacks. A hub for rich, varied snacks, Sri Gangour relies on the heavy, rich excellence of its sweet dishes to present Mumbaikars with an eclectic choice. You can savour some excellent sabzi-kachori, jalebi, pani puri and dhoklas here, all of which will certainly put a bright smile on your face.
LBB's Favourites: Jalebi, Blueberry Muffin, Kesar Pista Steamed Sandesh Pastry, and Sweet Potato Gulab Jamun Cheesecake.
Punjabi Chandu Halwai is a popular Sindhi-Punjabi sweet shop in Mumbai with several outlets. But originally, it was a sweet shop in Karachi, which first began in 1886 and later moved to Mumbai after Partition. Since then, the sweet shop is popular amongst several Mumbaikars for their barfi, gujiya and kaju sweets.
LBB's Favourite: Badam Pak, Malai Peda, Mawa Barfi, and Ice Halwa. You must try Sindhi Jalebi known as Ghaeer, as the shop makes some of the best ones in the city.
Located in Khar West, Tharu Sweets first existed as a sweet shop in Sikharpur, Sindh (present day Pakistan), in 1920. Post Partition, Seth Tharu Mukhi opened Tharu Sweets in 1968 in Khar. They have a Sunday menu that offers Sindhi Curry and Dal Pakwan, but their sweets are what they're best known for. Currently, the sweet shop is fourth-generation-owned and continues to offer sweets made in pure ghee. Although, as times have moved forward, they also have a range of sugar-free mithai that you can try.
LBB's Favourites: Bhugal Mawa (milk cake), Sweet Boondi, Pista Barfi, Sev Barfi, Kala Jamun and Gulab Jamun
Located in Malad West (with outlets popping up in other localities too), MM Mithaiwala is where you must go for hot, crispy jalebis and eat some as soon as they're out of the kadai. But the sweet shop is also popular for its kachori, dhokla, farsan and ice halwa, and is worth visiting if you prefer to snack on things hot!
LBB's Favourite: Khopra Pak, Satha, Malpua, Jalebi, Imarti, Bombay Ice Halwa, and Golden Ice Halwa
The popular bakery and sweet shop is where you go for Malpua. But Suleman Usman Mithaiwala, located near Minara Masjid offers some other specials too that you can gorge on all-year. Sulemanbhai was a bakery assistant who came to Mumbai from Pune and set up shop outside the masjid. Eventually, in 1936, his small shop became a larger outlet and it still stands in the same location. This mithai shop is the spot to get the best aflatoon in the city, along with a variety of halwa.
LBB's Favourites: Aflatoon, Anjeer Halwa, Badam Sohan Halwa, Mahim Halwa, Badami Patiya, and Strawberry Kaju Katli
For generations, Purshottam Kandoi Haribhai Damodar Mithaiwala has been a popular mithai shop. And now, Mumbai is seeing more outlet spread across the city. The one at Matunga King Circle is where you must go to get your hands on Gujarati farsan and lots of delicious mithai. Dig into their farali pattice, khaman, dhokla, and more but don't forget to pack away sweets to try as well.
LBB's Favourites: Rajwadi Peda, Angoor Basundi, Mesum and Son Papdi
A Thanekar's favourite, TipTop is a brand that offers a variety of sweets and snacks. Their milk sweets sell like hotcakes. But their bestselling products include dry fruit sweets, shrikhand and malai pedas. You can't walk away from this store with just what you had on your shopping list!
Must Try: Assorted Gujiyas, Ghewar, Thandai.