Ranwar Village In Bandra Is A Hidden Gem With Art, Quick Bites And More

One of the original hamlets of Bandra, Ranwar Village has a history that dates back to 1716. Nestled between the busier Waroda Road and Chapel Road, Ranwar Village in Bandra stays true to its roots while Mumbai rushes by. This cluster of colourful vintage bungalows, tiny lanes, and shrines has a rich history and is also one of the city's oldest areas. Ranwar still carries the old-world charm with its vibrant wall art, weathered crosses, and houses that have red-tiled roofs and old wooden steps.

The quaint village consists of bungalows on each side, divided by Veronica Street. We always talk about how magical Waroda Road and its eateries are, but if you stray from the usual route, you’ll stumble upon something magical. The streets of Ranwar Village are almost like like a river’s tributaries, all venturing into a peaceful place. As you walk down any one of the by lanes leading to the village, you’ll walk by resurrected shrines, cats roaming and chilling around in clusters and houses and breathtakingly beautiful bungalows which have been standing there since the early 1900s.

Ranwar Village is one of the original 24 villages in Bandra, with its roots stretching back to the 17th century and is one of Mumbai's oldest surviving East Indian communities. To this date, you can still spot European touches in the buildings with arched doorways, shuttered windows, and tiled roofs.

The East Indian Catholic community called this village their home, and many of their bungalows and religious sites remain today. Even as the city grows and changes around it, quite a few homes have stayed as it is or even been fixed up along Veronica Street, the main road that runs through the village.

At the centre of everything lies Ranwar Square, which is home to a historic stone cross. Constructed in 1866, this cross once served as a gathering spot for the community, hosting rosaries and yearly feasts. There’s even a tale that gold was hidden in wells here during Arab invasions to protect it from being looted. Now, whether that’s fact or folklore is anyone’s guess, but the locals tell the story in a way that makes the past very much alive here.

With so much history and quaintness contained in one small village in the busy Bandra, we were more than happy to indulge in some chit-chat with the current residents of the village, who are still very proud of the heritage that their ancestors have left for them.

Walking through Ranwar often feels like you’ve stepped into a Goan village, minus the beaches, of course (but we do have our own Carter Road). Here are a few spots we recommend you check while you're there:

Veronica Street: This is where your walk should start. It has those colonial homes, colourful murals, and lanes into lanes that lead you deeper into the village. Some walls are covered in street art that pays tribute to classic Hindi cinema stars, thanks to the Bollywood Art Project.

Ranwar Square Cross: This stone cross is a community landmark that has stood for over 150 years. You’ll find it surrounded by quiet homes, greenery, and sometimes, sleepy dogs napping in the shade.

Restored Bungalows: Many homes here are over 100 years old. Some have been beautifully maintained, complete with original woodwork, whereas others might be crumbling, but even that is known to add a different kind of charm.

Shrines: Keep an eye out for small Catholic shrines nestled in corners or mounted on walls. These are still very much in use and are a reminder of the strong cultural roots of the neighbourhood.

Subko Mary Lodge: It's a vintage two-storey home with a few resident cats where you can enjoy a cup of specialty coffee and fresh bakes.

Santa Maria: Grab yourself a lunch here, they serve artisanal sandwiches inspired by Goan cuisine that'll take you on a culinary adventure if you're a hardcore non-vegetarian.

Morii: A great place to have smoothie bowls, matcha, and small bites.

Veronica's: A holy grail for college goers, Veronica's has delicious sandwiches, cold brews, salads, bakes, and the fluffiest eggs.

Kepchaki Momos: For those who always complain about not finding good momos in Mumbai, this is the spot. Not only do they serve the traditional Tibetan-style dumplings, but they also have some unique flavours.

Mokai: They've got some amazing breakfast options like eggs and one of the best matchas in town.