Love Filter Kaapi & Dosa? These Are The Must-Visit South Indian Restaurants In Mumbai

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Mumbai loves its Udipi joints, what with the generous portions of that watery coconut chutney and that sweetened sambhar and the fluffy idlis and dosas. Most of the Mumbaikars wake up and smell that filter kaapi and voila! the day already begins to brighten up. If you’re a lover of all things South Indian, we’ve collated a list of must-visit South Indian eateries in Mumbai.

Ram Ashray, Matunga

This place is every Mumbaikar’s go-to South Indian eatery. It open’s its gate as early as 5am and by 6am it is already swarming with foodies. One must try the pineapple, badam and banana sheera, rasam podi, medu vadai, and Mysore saada dosa here for sure.

Check them out here.

Can't Do Without: Filtered Coffee, Pineapple Sheera, Idli, Neer Dosa, Mysore Masala Dosa, Vada

Arya Bhavan, Matunga

This no-frills place serves one of the best filter kaapi in the city. They offer vast choices in the menu but the bisi belle bhaath, Mysore masala dosa, malga pudi are not to be missed.

Check them out here.

Can't Do Without: Filtered Coffee, Idli, Pav Bhaji, Pineapple Sheera, Mysore Masala Dosa, Rasam Vada, Appam

Mani's Lunch Home, Chembur

The iconic restaurant in Matunga which shut down is now operational in Chembur and thriving. With affordable prices, it was one of the prized gems of Matunga’s famous South-Indian cuisine belt. With idli sambhar for INR 32, and their most expensive dish priced INR 110 (their special paper roast masala), it’s like we’re back in the 90s.

Check them out here.

Can't Do Without: Mysore Pak, Medu Vada, Neer Dosa, Pongal, Onion Uttapam, Rasam Vada

Vrindavan Cafe, Khar

The pure vegetarian restaurant is a humble but clean and efficient South Indian eatery. More than enough wooden stools and tables mean that it’s always fairly easy to find a place to sit in this well-lit eatery. The food includes typical South Indian snacks such as idli sambhar and upma, as well as Maharashtrian snacks such as Puneri misal and shrikhand puri. Besides the typical and long list of dosa and uthapam varieties, also look out for unique takes such as the methi palak uthapam.

Check them out here.

Can't Do Without: Masala Dosa, Filtered Coffee, Idli Sambar

Cafe Mysore, Matunga

From rasam vadas to idli gadbad, neer dosa and pineapple sheera  (it makes a comeback), Café Mysore is a quaint joint where you can spot people of all age groups enjoying the delicious southern flavours. Since it’s one of the oldest udipis around, pretty much everyone living in and around Matunga (and every south Indian) has eaten here at least once.

Check them out here.

Can't Do Without: Filter Coffee, Pineapple Sheera, Idli, Rasam Vada, Rava Dosa, Mysore Dosa, Masala Dosa

Madras Cafe, Matunga

Cafe Madras is a beloved city institution. The long lines that form outside the cafe every morning when it opens at 7am are a testament to its evergreen popularity. Buttery idlis and tangy sambhar come together in this quaint little eatery to keep us hooked and coming back for more.

Can't Do Without: Pineapple Sheera, Idli, Masala Dosa, Neer Dosa, Rasam Vada

Dakshinayan, Juhu

One of the best places in Mumbai for South Indian fare, this restaurant is known for its famous Molgapodi Idli (mini idlis seasoned with gunpowder and generous amount of ghee), Rava Garlic Masala Dosa, Rava Garlic Dosa and Mixed Uttapam. It is located inside Anand hostel and midway between Juhu beach and Iskon temple. You can also try their rasam vadas, pongal and tomato sevaiya. The place is a bit on the higher side in terms of price, but the food and the ambience settles the score! 

Can't Do Without: Molgapodi Idli , Rava Garlic Masala Dosa, Rava Garlic Dosa and Mixed Uttapam

Banana Leaf, Versova

If you're looking at trying some modern South Indian fare, check out this restaurant that has branches in Versova, Ghatkopar and Borivali. We tried their thali (divine!), Mughlai idli, Coorg idli, Appam, Rajni Dosa, and their uttapams and can safely say that they are worth a visit. The bonus here is that their rasam really stands out!

Can't Do Without: Thali, Filtered Coffee, Appam, Neer Dosa, Uttapam, Coorg Idli, Idli Platter


Ayyappan Idli Stall

A true hidden gem in the city, you'll find all types of idlisuttapams and dosas. What we love is that they even have varieties like the Chinese uttapam, and even something like the pizza uttapam that one can try. It's fresh and served hot, and their filter coffee is also a treat to the senses.

Can't Do Without: Idli, Medu Vada, Pineapple Sheera, Filtered Coffee, Mysore Dosa, Upma, Pongal