Popular amongst the locals for its cutesy cafes and a hub for designer labels, and a puller for tourists during February's iconic Kala Ghoda festival - Kala Ghoda is one of the most artistic and historic hoods in Mumbai. Why it's called Kala Ghoda? Well, no suspense here and it's pretty straightforward - it gets its name from the majestic black horse statue that sits proudly in this hood. We've compiled a mega list of all the things to do in Kala Ghoda or if you're a non-Mumbaikar who's visiting Kala Ghoda during the art festival, this is the only guide you need!
Kala Ghoda Guide: Here's Everything You Can Do Here
Overview
- 1. Where To Shop
- 2. Westside: For EVERYTHING!
- 3. Booster Store: For Budget-Friendly Bobbleheads
- 4. Mulmul: For Celebrity-Approved Minimal Indian Wear
- 5. Artisans: For Exploring A Handmade Paradise
- 6. Translate: For Handwoven Ikat
- 7. Bombay Shirt Company: For The Perfect Crisp Shirts
- 8. Pernia Popup Shop: For Designer Wedding Wear
- 9. Faaya: For Luxury Gifting
- 10. Kapoor Lamp Shades: For All Your Lighting Solutions
- 11. Bhavya Ramesh: For Unique & Contemporary Jewellery
- 12. Papa Don't Preach: For Dreamy Outfits
- 13. Where To Eat
- 14. Cafe Military: An Iconic Parsi Restaurant
- 15. Delhi Highway: For A Wholesome Thali
- 16. Zen Cafe: A Perfect Cafe To Work From
- 17. La Folie: To Satiate Your Sweet Tooth
- 18. Poornima: For Your South Indian Cravings
- 19. What To Do
- 20. Enjoy A Tea Experience At Sancha Tea Boutique
- 21. Get Gramming At The Majestic Stairs Of Asiatic
- 22. Explore Modern Art At Gallery 7
- 23. Laze Around At The Oval Maidan
- 24. Appreciate The Artistic Gothic Art
- 25. Coffee Tasting Experience At Nandan Coffee
- 26. Visit The Paradox Museum
Where To Shop
Westside: For EVERYTHING!
No introduction is needed here! From budget-friendly home products to stylish clothes and shoes, Westside is a go-to for all our shopping needs. It's a 2-storey one, so of course, it's HUGE! The Kala Ghoda one also has a Starbucks inside it, so sip some coffee post your shopping session.
Booster Store: For Budget-Friendly Bobbleheads
If you're a superhero fan - then you'll love this tiny little street store that sits right outside Fab India. You can find an array of superhero bobbleheads at INR 450 and keychains too! Think Groot, Captain America, Joker, Lionel Messi and lots more.
Mulmul: For Celebrity-Approved Minimal Indian Wear
Luxury, elegance and pretty pastels - Mulmul's store is just beside the iconic Kala Ghoda graffiti. Plus, their luxurious window display sure makes you stop by at least once and take a glance at their collection. Started in 2018, these guys started with the main objective of curating luxury laden and cultural rich garments - not just for Indian consumers, but globally. Celebrities and well-known personalities like Alia Bhatt, Hina Khan, Ananya Pandey are often spotted wearing their chic minimal Indian wear.
Artisans: For Exploring A Handmade Paradise
A gallery-cum-store, Artisans is a haven and a social enterprise for handmade heritage beauties and artisanal collections from across India. Expect lots of unique and unconventional finds like traditional sarees, shawls, accessories, artisanal jewellery, bamboo decor, Khadi apparel, paintings and more.
Translate: For Handwoven Ikat
Translate is a lifestyle label and a concept store that specialises in handwoven Ikat apparel and home. Every piece in their store aims at reviving the age-old art of Ikat and seamlessly merging it with everyday wear breezy kurtas, apparel or home essentials. Their Kala Ghoda store has an array of kurtas that are apt for your office or for those who love minimal prints. Their collection starts from INR 3,000 and upwards for stoles and INR 6,000 and upwards.
Bombay Shirt Company: For The Perfect Crisp Shirts
Known for their customisation services and well-tailored shirts, their store is right at the start of the main Kala Ghoda lane. Like most their outlets, this one too has a design station right at the centre, where you can pick everything from fabric to buttons or collar style. Their products start from INR 3,000 and upwards.
Pernia Popup Shop: For Designer Wedding Wear
Well, if you're a bride to be and looking for a one-stop shop for all your designer outfit needs, this is where you need to head (along with Sabhyasachi's Kala Ghoda outlet)! Find designer lehengas, Indo-western kaftans, cocktail gowns, contemporary kurtas and lots more. They've got something for every budget with collection starting at INR 10,000 and goes up to two lakh or more.
Faaya: For Luxury Gifting
Known for their luxury gifting solutions, you'll spot Faaya in a tiny corner of the Kala Ghoda lanes. Find chic cutlery sets, platters, servers that are ideal for weddings, special occasions, festive gifting and more. But yes, be ready to splurge a little as their collection might burn a tiny hole in your pocket. Oh and they also offer personalised gifting solutions where you can chat with their team, ideate and curate hampers as per your needs.
Kapoor Lamp Shades: For All Your Lighting Solutions
Lighting spaces since 1948, Kapoor Lamp Shades is an iconic light store in their hood. From vintage chandeliers to floor lamps and from ceiling statement lights to wall lamps, there are tons of options for every type of home and space. Not just homes, they even provide lighting solutions for offices, malls, commercial spaces, hotels, etc.
Bhavya Ramesh: For Unique & Contemporary Jewellery
The jewellery at Bhavya Ramesh in Kala Ghoda is a whole new vibe. Bhavya has made with bohemian designs by drawing inspirations from the fervent tribal art and the nature. These pieces blend Indian wild heritage with a fiercely modern edge. These wearable artworks are unabashedly experimental yet intrinsically deeply rooted in sustainable, inclusive, and traditional philosophy. With Bhavya Ramesh, you aren't just accessorising; you're making statements and turning heads wherever you go.
Papa Don't Preach: For Dreamy Outfits
If there is one place in Mumbai that feels like a desi fairyland, it is the Papa Don't Preach store. It is full of outfits that makes you feel like the main character. Dresses, bridal wear, lehengas, menswear, shoes, and bags — they've got it all. The dresses here are timeless and you have got to visit this wonderland just to witness its magic.
Where To Eat
Cafe Military: An Iconic Parsi Restaurant
Established in 1933, this iconic and legendary cafe has been wining hearts since its inception. Sitting in the busy lanes of Dalal Street, Cafe Military specialises in Parsi and Mughlai cuisine! So, meat lovers, definitely visit this joint when in Kala Ghoda. Expect authentic dishes like Mutton berry pulav, fish cutlets, vindaloo gravy, and the lip-smacking mawa custard. Enjoy this while sipping a pint of beer.
Rating: 4.1/5
Timings: 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM (Sunday closed)
Delhi Highway: For A Wholesome Thali
Teleport yourself to the streets of Delhi and paranthe wali gaali by enjoying a meal at Delhi Highway. True to its name, they have got an array of chaats, kebabs, parathas etc. to satiate your tastebuds. However, their speciality is their Maharaja thali that includes starter, chole, paneer, lachha paratha, tandoori roti, dal, rice and more. If you're in a mood for something wholesome, this thali is satisfying and wholesome.
Rating: 4.4/5
Timings: 12 PM to 4 PM and 7 PM to 11 PM
Zen Cafe: A Perfect Cafe To Work From
If you enjoy working from a cafe, you must check out this hidden gem in the quaint lanes of Kala Ghoda. Minimal setup, dusky hues and wooden finish, this place surely stays true to its name. From vegan desserts to heavenly hot chocolate to Italian delicacies and pizza platter - Zen Cafe is ideal for romantic dates as well. They have got a number of seating and lots of charging points for your laptop and mobile. And yes, you can use their wifi for free as well.
Rating: 4.3/5
Timings: 8:30 AM to 11 PM
La Folie: To Satiate Your Sweet Tooth
Known for their luxe desserts and authentic bean-to-bar chocolates, La Folie has got an outlet in Kala Ghoda too that you must visit. You can shop for chocolate bars, macrons, cookies and other baked goodies. What makes their Kala Ghoda outlet specials? Their display of luxurious and edible art in form of artsy bonbons, and more.
Rating: 4.2/5
Timings: 8 AM to 11 PM
Poornima: For Your South Indian Cravings
A meal at Poornima is healthy, filling, and soul-satisfying. A place often frequented by office-goers, Poornima serves a wholesome and delicious South India thali at just INR 120. It consists of two chapatis, rice, two dry sabzis, a vegetable curry with gravy, dal, sambhar, rasam, coconut chutney, chaas, a pickle, and much more which makes a meal complete while remaining equally delectable. The restaurant is three stories high and provides ample space to enjoy your meal.
Rating: 4.4/5
Timings: 7:30 AM to 8 PM
LBB Tip: You may not share the thali among two, so make sure to order one per person.
What To Do
Enjoy A Tea Experience At Sancha Tea Boutique
A Disneyland for tea lovers, Sancha Tea Boutique offers a whopping 75 varieties of tea that varies from natural and soothing flavours ranging from spicy and floral to woody and grassy. It was first founded in 1981 by the master tea taster, Sanjay Kapur. Their Kala Ghoda space is cosy, grammable and full of colours. Their staff is super friendly and will offer (free) tasting sessions as per your needs. White classic masala to white and from matcha to green, they have got everything you'll want as a tea lover. Don't miss out on their Pinteresty teapots.
Fee: Their tea tasting sessions are free of cost.
Get Gramming At The Majestic Stairs Of Asiatic
From being a part of major Bollywood movies to attracting thousands of tourists, Asiatic Library is just a 10-minute walk from the Kala Ghoda. They have got a treasure of over 100,000 books in multiple languages including Sanskrit, English, Latin, Greek, French, German and more. Apart from books and periodicals, you'll also find ancient manuscripts, coins, maps, prints, artefacts and more.
Fee: Completely free of cost.
Explore Modern Art At Gallery 7
A house to an array of modern art and contemporary paintings, Gallery 7 is considered to be one of the most premium contemporary art destinations in India. A brainchild of husband-wife duo Arun and Chandra Sachdev - Gallery 7 showcases the work of young talents and classics like M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, Jogen Chowdhury and more.
Fee: Entry is free of cost.
Laze Around At The Oval Maidan
A bunch of doggos, green grass and HUGE natural space, Oval Maidan is a nice place to head for a walk, picnic or simply sit by and see the majestic Rajabai towers.
Fee: Free of cost.
LBB Tip: It's super crowded on Sunday so make sure you avoid that day.
Appreciate The Artistic Gothic Art
From the iconic Bombay High Court and Rajabai Clock Tower to the Army and Nacy building and the University of Mumbai, Kala Ghoda is home to some of the most stunning and artistic buildings featuring the intrinsic Gothic style of architecture. And a walk in this hood is simply one of the best ways to explore this piece of history.
Fee: Free of cost.
Coffee Tasting Experience At Nandan Coffee
Growing, roasting and brewing their beans: all in-house, Nandan Coffee takes that coffee experience to the next level. The space is absolutely stunning, with intimate seating, including a lovely loft perfect for soaking in the warm and inviting vibes. But what we want to talk about is their interactive "Create Your Own Coffee" station, which makes it very clear by the name of it. You can explore different coffee beans and roast profiles and make your ultimate blend. By the end of your time there, you will not only have found your favourite cup, but it will also come packed and ready for you to enjoy it later at home.
Fee: INR 2,999 for the session along with the coffee bag.
Visit The Paradox Museum
Paradox Museum is where reality gets a mind-boggling twist. It's a different world where nothing exists the way it seems. Everything will baffle you. This one-of-a-kind museum is full of experiences that challenges your perceptions about things. Walking you through the Reverse Room, peeking inside the Infinity Well, raving through the trippy Paradox Tunnel, blending into the 3D Camouflage Room, every corner is an adventure. Fun, interactive, and crazily creative, this experience is a must for curious minds of all ages.
Fee: INR 650 onwards
Pro Tip
If you are looking for the ultimate guide to all things Mumbai, this will help you!