Eat, Drink, & Shop: Here's Everything You Can Do In Andheri

Mumbai has some of the most iconic street-shopping markets in Mumbai. And one of them is the Lokhandwala market, known for being the goldmine of junky silver jewelry, shoe shops, boutiques selling wedding lehengas, and some of the trendiest western clothes. If bargaining is one of your top-notch skills, then you can get things at a steal deal here. 

Shell Out: Between INR 100 to INR 20,000 (depending on which shop you go to and what you buy) 

Don't Forget To: Explore the Kamdhenu shopping center here, as well as the bridal boutiques. 

What's More: Lokhandwala market also has a lot of bakeries, Frankie joints, and chaat corners that you mustn't miss out on

If you're looking to shop for Indian fabrics, gorgeous sarees, cut pieces, laces, and even motifs and appliques, then this is the place you should be in. But apart from that, Manish Market also specializes in pretty silver jhumkas, bandhani and chiffon dupattas, nose rings, as well as heart-neck tops. 

Shell Out: Between INR 250 to INR 2,000 (depending on which shop you go to and what you buy) 

Don't Forget To: Visit Saypar for zardozi and phulkari dress materials, and Neer Dupattas for vibrant bandhani dupattas

What's More: Manish Nagar Shopping Center also has a lot of chaat and Bombay sandwich stalls which are always packed with food lovers. There are cars queued up only to eat the cheese grilled sandwiches. Make sure you grab one of 'em. 

If you’re new to this city, this place should be on speed dial. From tables to cupboards, beds, cabinets, and whatnot, this market is like an endless gold mine that I like to keep digging. The entire stretch of the market has shops lined up with the shopkeepers enticing you in with their antique teak pieces displayed nicely outside. 

Shell Out: Between INR 500 to INR 20,000 (depending on which shop you go to and what you buy) 

Don't Forget To: Bargain. The key to shop here is to know how to bargain with the vendors. So in case, you don't know how to, take some along who does it right. 

What's More: They also make new furniture here so if you’re in the mood for something brand new you can get it done here.

Yes, Crawford Market's Lohar Chawl has the best of lights, but let's not underestimate Andheri's DN Nagar too! Our newfound discovery here is better than the best. We raided a whole stretch of light shops here, and they've got the prettiest chandeliers, customized hanging bulbs, umbrella lamps, monkey bulbs, Persian lamps, minakari lamps and so much more here. You'll get them in stores like Nagrik Lights, Shady Ideas, Fab Interia, Rangoli Lights, and more. No need to travel so far now, people! 

Shell Out: Between INR 2,000 to INR 40,000 (depending on which shop you go to and what you buy) 

Don't Forget To: Check out the recycled paper hanging and table lamps at Shady Ideas, when in DN Nagar. 

What's More: These stores also supply lights at wholesale rates. All you've got to do is let them know when you need the delivery, in advance 

This 52-year-old shopping plaza next to Andheri station is not just useful for giving people landmarks but has great cloth fabrics, as well as crockery. But there's more to just that. From lehengas, Kurtis and cut pieces in the fabric that are a class apart, to lingerie, laces, bags, art jewelry, and much more, this market has it all. We raided Viva Jewellery for drop-dead gorgeous chandbalis and jhumkas. And then headed to Kala Matching Center for some indigo and kalamkari cut pieces. 

Shell Out: Between INR 150 to INR 1,000 (depending on which shop you go to and what you buy) 

Don't Forget To: Buy comfy cotton kaftans from Ruchi Collection when here. 

What's More: Nadco is known for cheap electronic gadgets and accessories too. Visit the tiny mobile shops there that sell cutesy pop-sockets, or the lace stores for great house appliques and motifs. 

We're total suckers for South Indian food, and The Tanjore Tiffin Room in Versova has got it just right. From its interiors to its food, everything's so chic, with a replica of south Indian elements, and that’s why it makes it to our list of best restaurants in Andheri. What’s more, apart from the traditional Tamil food, which includes the all-time favorite appam and stew, as well as the Malabari Parotha, but it also has an interesting bar menu, which includes cocktails like the Tamil Sunrise.

Shell Out: INR 1,200 for two (approximately) 

Don't Forget To: Try their pepper chicken, lamb chops, fry prawns, filter coffee, mutton stew, appam, Malabari parantha

Shell Out: INR 1,000 for two (approximately) 

Don't Forget To: Try their butter chicken, chicken malai tikka, dal makhani, makkai roti, saag, and kulfi

If there's one thing that Andheri is proud of, it has to be about the fact that Suraj Lama Ji of Suraj Lama Momos chose to park himself in Andheri. People from all over the city flock to Versova to chomp on the steamed chicken and veg momos that they offer. But the best punch lies in their unique homemade red chili chutney and a special peanut chutney, which adds life to the momos. This iconic momo man started with a little cart in Andheri, and now has a 2-storeyed establishment, which comprises an AC-seating section, and an all-new menu with kebab momos, tandoori momos, and so much more. 

Shell Out: INR 200 onward for two (approximately)

Don't Forget To: Order the Thums Up with your momos, because the chutneys are really spicy. Trust us, you'll need it. 

Zomato may have quite a few Thukpa options for you, but they're never going to get better than the Thukpas served by The Darjeeling in Andheri. You've got to try to Tibetan cuisine here for total authenticity! They also offer Nepalese, Bhutanese, and Chinese delicacies, so feel free to gorge on it all, especially since every item on the menu is pocket-friendly. Try their Tibetan curry called Shapta which is served with steamed rice, or Kawri which basically is a handmade Tibetan macaroni in soup.

Shell Out: INR 500 for two 

Don't Forget To: Gorge on Ema Dasi, Veg and Chicken Thumpa, Mushroom Shapta, Momos.

Now to end your food haul on a sweet note, explore the most unique ice cream store in Andheri- The Ice Cream Factory & Shahi Durbar. This joint serves over 400 kinds of desserts which are making our sweet tooth very happy. Famous for their nitro mango ice cream that is topped with fresh cream and chopped mangoes, the outlet is also known as the falooda king because of their larger-than-life faloodas (topped with cut up kulfis) Are you drooling already? Apart from that, they also sell fresh juices and fruit creams which are to die for. 

Shell Out: INR 450 for two (approximately) 

Don't Forget To: Try their smoking biscuits and dragon breath poppers if you like a little drama to your food

Did you know that Andheri houses one of the oldest standing pieces of nature’s creation in India? Gilbert hill is an almost 200 feet tall monolith structure, which is 66 million years old and is primarily made up of basalt rock. We started the climb from the staircase that’s been carved out of the rocks at the foothills of Gilbert. After about five minutes, we were at the top. We walked around the temple on the grass paths and loved every bit of it. It has a beautiful, uncontested view of the city from all directions. You can see as far as the city is from the shiny Arabian sea to the high rises of modern Lokhandwala to the metro line. 

How To Reach: Get off at Andheri Station and take an auto towards Bhavans College. From there, it’s at walking distance.

Best Time To Visit: Start your morning with this climb if you're coming to Andheri. It gets sunny later, and if you're me, you'll have a migraine visiting you. 

What's More: There’s an old Hindu temple here, that’s been around for decades. It's called the Gaodevi Durgamata,  and it sees a lot of crowd during the festival of Hanuman Jayanti.

Who says only kids can trampoline their way through life? Andheri has a trampoline park that provides fun playtime for adults too. They offer non-slippery socks to every person here and the trampoline courts are sturdy, with foams that are of very high quality. And if too much bouncing makes you too tired, you can do a free-fall on their 20-ft airbag too! 

Shell Out: INR 610 on weekdays; INR 695 on weekends (both for an hour)

What's More: They offer doge ball arenas, slam dunks, and even glow-in-the-dark trampoline activities. 

Imagine being locked inside a room with your gang to absorb, understand and decode tons of cryptic clues all around, all within one hour. Mystery Rooms is as self-explanatory as its name. Its rooms are themed on different life-threatening situations that range from easy to high difficulty levels. Like one of the rooms, with difficulty level somewhat hard, is called Abduction – The Final Hour, and is about an eminent personality that has been kidnapped and the president is being threatened. Play a game of mystery here with your friends to make a fun weekend out of your visit to Andheri! 

Shell Out: INR INR 1,800 for 4 to 8 players

What's More: The other themes and games here include Lockout (A Prison Break Challenge), Cabin In The Woods ( A Murder Mystery), The Silent Legacy, A Night In Bhangarh (The Mystery Of A Cursed Fort), A Kon of Kohinoor (A Mission Impossible)

The Mahakali Caves, also known as the Kondivite Caves, are a group of 19 rock-cut monuments built between the 1st century BCE and 6th century CE. The caves are located on a hill that overlooks the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road and the SEEPZ area. They are carved out of solid basalt rock. And the largest cave at Kondivite has seven depictions of the Buddha and figures from Buddhist mythology. There’s just so much history that seeps in here, and if you're fond of the rich heritage and culture from the past, these caves might interest you. 

How To Reach: Take BEST bus number 333 from the Andheri station to reach here. 

Best Time To Visit: Between August to February, from 8 AM to 5 PM 

What's More: The caves, once in danger of being encroached upon, are now protected on both sides –  steel-fenced on the roadside and walled on the hillside. 

This one's my go-to spot every Friday evening post work. You can end your day by taking a stroll at Versova beach. Once ridiculed for being the filthiest beach, this one received a complete makeover by NGOs and is now one of the cleanest beaches of Mumbai. Known for larger-than-life sunsets, friendly doggos running around, rocks to sit at and the lovely Versova fort, this one's a haven of peace. 

How To Reach: Take a metro from Andheri station to Versova, and then walk it up to the beach. 

Best Time To Visit: During sunset (check the timing and forecast of sunset on Google before heading here) 

What's More: You can also get to see artists breaking into music jams, people coming for their evening walks, and vendors selling bhuttas here. 

Andheri is famous for its breweries and pubs. You can explore tiny bars like Bottles or Therapy in the 7 Bungalows area, or head to Glocal Junction or Opa to dance it out!