A handful of areas in Mumbai can safely be designated as 'posh', and one of them has got to be Malabar Hill. It’s been an important area for centuries, long before the British rule. It earned its name in a funny way—it kept getting attacked by pirates from the Malabar region, and was also once owned by the Keya family, who hails from the Malabar region aka the Northern Kerala.
Malabar Hill now holds some of the most prestigious addresses in Mumbai, and many political luminaries have residences here, along with families with legacy businesses. It has stores that sell beautiful, luxe products and gardens that offer panoramic views of the city—yep, even the one where you can spot 'The Queen’s Necklace' from. Here’s our all-encompassing Hood Guide that’ll take you through a day or two of exploring Malabar Hill.
How To Reach: if you live in the Western Suburbs, cross the sea link and head towards Marine drive. A sharp right/U-turn just after Babulnath will take you to Walkeshwar road. Drive up the road, and voila! You’re at Malabar Hill. If you're driving down from the Eastern Suburbs or Navi Mumbai, take the Eastern Freeway, and get off it from the exits just before CST. If you're the train, get off at Grant Road station on the Western Line, and hail a kaali-peeli.
