To Eat or Not to Eat? – That is the question.
Sensible Eating? – That’s for tomorrow.
Today’s for celebrating and I’m gonna be Me.
Here in Mumbai I’ve stopped fighting food. All food isn’t on that crime list, you know.

The city name “Mumbai” is an eponym of "Mumba", the local Hindu goddess Mumbadevi, and "Aai", the like to mother in the state language Marathi. Then came the Portuguese explorers in the 16th century and Vasco da Gama, who traveled such a long way, for such a long time across the Arabian sea, all for the love of spicing up European food. They named the city “Bom Bahia” that meant “Good Bay” which gradually got scripted to “Bombaim,” later anglicized to “Bombay” and finally in 1995, Bombay got an official change of name to “Mumbai.” So here we are in Mumbai, a conglomeration of seven islands, all joined by land reclamation.

Belying all this rather staid nomenclature, Mumbai is a metropolis in the truest sense of the word – a potpourri of people from different backgrounds, economies, styles and most of all tastes. From industry to fashion, from Bollywood to a gourmet’s paradise – Mumbai, My Dearest City, burns it’s candle at both ends. It’s a city that never sleeps.

As a city that has experienced extensive migration and intermingling through many a millennium, Mumbai houses a diverse range of amazing variety, this being truly reflected in it’s cuisine, an acclamation by many who enjoy genuine Indian food and look upon it as being the world’s greatest. And to top it all, the city caters to every man’s pocket, right from the common to the affluent strata of society – anyone, just anyone ready for a gastronomic adventure.

Mumbai confidently boasts of over twenty, five star hotels that cover exotic international cuisines, to over a thousand restaurants, ecotels, restro bars, discotheques and pubs that draw the discerning gourmet.

We just can’t forget to remember the chic eateries that create more than a mere legend, with an incredible range in variety, stretching from the best to the mediocre, and the shady shanties that simply excel in capturing true culinary magic. 

For decades, the food in Mumbai city is like nothing you could ever expect – not atleast in the whole of India. So if you’re an Indian food aficionado, you must know where to land yourself, when in India. 

It’s Mumbai and only Mumbai that will give you that start to a heady mix of good food.

Now beginning our journey, we start by being a part of that great Mumbai culinary tradition that stretches back years. To chance upon adventure, let’s go with the famous Vada Pav, which is a spicy mashed potato burger, dipped in gram flour paste and deep fried. This is then sandwiched in a small loaf of bread on which is sprinkled some chutney, a favourite Indian accompaniment of coriander leaves, green chillies and herbs. The same, if turned out in red chillies, reveals a transformation of taste and colour from green to red. 

One cannot fail the signature Pav Bhaji, the famous combination of vegetables, mashed and cooked on a griddle, traditionally known as the Indian “tawa”. The distinct combination of spices and herbs brings out it’s typical exotic flavour. Served with a generous splash of butter and mildly toasted bread, it indeed is difficult to describe it’s uniqueness – one simply has to taste it, to know it.

And if you’re in that snacky mood, stop for the mouth – watering Indian Bhel Puri, Pani Puri, Ragda Pattice, Chole Batura, never missing out the irresistible Dahi Vada, which is one of the many specialties of yoghurt and Indian spices. And to avoid committing a sin, wash these down with an authentic drink known as Jal Jeera (a cumin seed beverage) noted for it’s digestive quality. If the going’s yet good, try your luck at the flavoured kulfis which are the local form of ice cream, only with a difference of richness that takes time to forget. A very commonplace to find all this is the famous Juhu and Chowpatty beaches. 

You’ve yet some space to spare? Then never give a miss to the famous Udipi restaurants such as the Kamaths, the Trishna, the Mahesh, the Vishwa Shanti, to mention just a few, and bet that your eating experience would be simply splendid. The fare on the menus is like none other. It originates from the South of India and the blend of various Indian spices that go into it’s making, only works wonders and makes you want to go back for more. The ever – famous Masala Dosa, Medu Vada, Idli Sambar, Uttapam are only a very small section of the variety of Udipi snacks. The more advanced stuffed crabs, grilled lobsters, devilled prawns, fried Bombay Ducks (a type of fish found only in Mumbai) are bound to bind you to an incredible experience. 

Furthermore, one can visit Sion on the Eastern suburbs of Mumbai, best known for it’s famous Koliwada Prawns or Koliwada Kingfish. This is fish typically marinated in a blend of pungent spices and deep fried, taking you back to a taste that belongs entirely to the Punjab, a Northern state in India. 

Do find time for the cuisine of the Khasanas or the Bawarchis. These were an inseparable part of every ancient Royal entourage of Muslim rulers. They included sacred ingredients like saffron, spices, herbs and milk in every dish. Today’s Moghlai cuisine of the Islamic community, bears distinctly all the traces of that ancestry. Among such fare, stand out, the Biryanis, the Mughlai Masalas, assorted Kebabs and the delightful desserts in the form of Firnis and Faloodas. The city haunts for these could be the Bade Miyan, an open air food stall, the Delhi Darbar, both at Colaba in the Southern part of Mumbai, or Shalimar at Mohammad Ali Road. The Khau Galis (food streets) of Mohammad Ali Road and Mahim dish out the same, only with the added charm of a shoestring budget. 

To break the day, you perhaps could step in for the traditional omlette pav, bun maska (sweet bread laced with butter) along with a pani kum chai (tea) at the ancient Iranian restaurants that are now fast fading out. 

Being a part of that International link, we have the KFC, the Mac Donalds, the Café Coffee Day, Barista and Mocha, where a quick bite with a Mediterranean or Turkish coffee is never- failing. 

Don’t dare forget the Pizza that’s taken Mumbai by storm. It almost could be hailed as the food of the gods that fills the stomach and soothes the soul. You’ll get them best at the Pizza Hut, Smoking Joe’s, Dominoes or Little Italy. 

If you’re in for a fantastic fusion of the contemporary Indian cuisine with a Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Italian, Lebanese or Moroccan, an unmatched experience could be the Manchurians, the Schezewans, the Sushis, the Tempuras, the Teppanyakis, the Yakitori Grills, the Satays, the Pastas, the Lassagnes, the Gnocchis, the Raviolis, the Shawarmas, the Kdra, the Kebabs and many more. 

For a closest connection of the Goan cultural cuisine to the Portuguese heritage, there’s the Casa Goa Portuguese and the Casa Soul Fry with it’s traditional Sorpotel, Vindaloo, Cafreal, Rechad Fried Fish or Prawns, Choureico, Paella, Jambalaya, to create unmatched spicy lures. This meal could never be complete without the Bebinca or the Dodol.

And here’s “CHEERS” to cooling down in the harsh heat. Exotic bars with live mystical music, throw open their doors to an array of thirst quenchers – colourful Mocktails to classic Cocktails, Sparkling Wines to Champagnes, Sherries to fine Wines, Pilsners, Lagers to Draught Beer on tap, Daiquiris to Cremes, Martinis to Tequillas to Schnappes, Caipirinhias to Caipiroskas, Local Whiskies to Scotch, White and Dark Rums, Gins to Vodkas, Brandies to Cognacs.

So here at last and nowhere else, is the world of cuisines, better presented. 

Food in Mumbai has almost turned into a lifestyle. And when you chance upon our splendid city, it sure will work wonders to your hitherto unexplored experience. 

Indians, indeed known for their hospitality, yet seem to outshine one from the other, in the uniqueness of their culinary extravaganza.

And it all seems here – just here in Mumbai 
Be it the city’s North, South, East or West, 
Mumbai is the renowned best.

Bon appetit!