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Foodie

Top Food Items to Try in Mumbai

Mumbai is known for being the financial capital of India as well as for being the home to the world-famous Bollywood industry. The city has thus earned the nickname ‘the city of dreams. The city is also one of the biggest tourist hotspots of the country with several major tourist attractions including historical ones, cultural ones, natural ones, etc. Some of the best attractions have to do with the favorite sin of every modal tourist – gluttony.

8 Famous Dishes of Mumbai to try

Mumbai is like miniature India in terms of its cultural diversity with people from varying backgrounds and regions from not only all parts of India but all the parts of the world settled here. And they have all brought their special food and cuisine. This article discusses some of the best food options one can enjoy in Mumbai.

1. Vada Pav

The first and one of the most popular food items in this list of food items to try in Mumbai has to be, without doubt, Vada Pav. Literally means big bread and is often called poor man’s burger for its being a cheaper substitute for a burger; vada pav is no less delicious than burgers. Served with both sweet and spicy chutneys, friend chilies, garlic powder chutney, etc., it is a street food that must be on every foodie’s bucket list. Parleshwar Vada Pav Samrat in Vile Parle West will be the best place to try it.

2. Pav Bhaaji

Another excellent food item to make it to this list of food items to try in Mumbai. Bread and seasonings, Pav Bhaaji, and Pav Bhaaji make a nice meal for people of all sections of society. One can find this street food in almost all parts of Mumbai.

3. Pani Puri

Well, pani puri would make a nice contender for being the national food of India. And Mumbai has mastered several varieties of Pani Puri including Khatta Meetha, Hing Jeera, etc. Those who haven’t tried should know that they are missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime.

4. Misal Pav

As delicious as its name sound, Misal Pav is the perfect mix of curried lentils that is topped with potato bhaji and some other ingredients like chopped onions, potatoes, chivada, and poha – that can be eaten Pav (bread) and some yogurty. This mouth-watering dish is a natural winner to be included in this list of top delicious food items to try in Mumbai as it’s both tasty and healthy.

5. Bhel Puri

Every Indian knows about the next food item that makes our list of food items that one should try while in Mumbai – Bhel Puri. This Marathi dish is essentially a puri which is loaded with stuff like diced potatoes, onions, vegetables, chutneys, etc, and further seasoned with lemon and chaat masala.

6. Falooda

When it comes to listing food items in Mumbai that everyone should try, Falooda occupies a special place – for being one of the most nutritious food items out there and a perfect relief from the Mumbai summers.

Moreover, do check out our article on the best places to visit in summer in India here!

7. Baida Roti

A typical roti is round-shaped but a Baida Roti is a square-shaped patty fried with spiced meat (which may be chicken or mutton) and whipped with eggs and onions. It is even more delicious than it sounds and is worth a try for every foodie on the planet.

8. Steamed Idlis and Vadas

Idli Vada is one of the most famous food items in India. Vada is served in this case with sambhar and some mouth-watering coconut chutney. These delicious food items are go-to favorites for many foodies across the country and Mumbai have mastered the art of marking them super-delicious.

The reader must note that while some of these food items are discussed as street food items, several restaurants offer them as dine-in food too.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There are several questions people ask that relate to food items in Mumbai. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) on this subject:

Question: Is street food available in Mumbai during the night?

Answer: Depending on the location, the street food in Mumbai is available for most hours of the evening through midnight. Other food options may be available right through the day.

Question: Are there any non-vegetarian junk food options available as street food in Mumbai?

Answer: Yes. There are several non-vegetarian junk food options available as food in Mumbai.

Question: What is the normal time for street food items to open in Mumbai?

Answer: Most of them open in the afternoon at around 2:00 P.M. However there may be some exceptions that can avail you the same thing early in the day.

Question: How much does food cost in Mumbai?

Answer: Depending on the type of food items, the place where it is bought, quality, time of the day, etc., the price of food starts from as low as 10 rupees for some street food items and can go up to hundreds of rupees for a single meal.

Question: What are the different types of puries to try in Mumbai?

Answer: Bhelpuri, Pani Puri, Dahi Puri, Sev Puri, etc., are some of the puris to try in Mumbai.

Question: What is the best place to eat in Mumbai?

Answer: There can be no single answer to the question as it depends on individual preferences and choices. Whatever one’s budget may be, one should give street food a try where one is – that’s from Traveller’s guidebook 101, but apart from that, the choice of dine-in options will depend on the traveler’s individual preferences.

If the reader has any other questions, they should feel free to ask them in the comments below.

The Bottom Line

One can easily wrap up the above discussion by concluding that there are several excellent food items in Mumbai to try, especially street food items, and that one should try all of them at least once. One thing is for sure, Mumbai can rightly be called a foodie’s paradise.

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Culture Foodie

Vegetarian Food joints in Jaipur

Jaipur is the heart of Rajasthan, filled with historical places, great architecture, and buzzing markets. Amidst the various palaces and fort sightings, fun and the crowd, one is likely to get hungry (a lot). Indulge in some authentic Rajasthani food until your stomach can take no more or just casually stop by for some light snacks at these wonderful places. Jaipur’s food reflects the cuisines derived straight from the Royal kitchens. Their dishes have a unique taste and the flavor of Rajasthan but you must know the right place to go and we are here to help you choose.

We #ghoomophiirosisters took flight from Delhi to Jaipur on a lazy weekend to taste the delicacies of #Jaipur at these vegetarian food joints in Jaipur.

  1. Anokhi Cafe

Address: C 11, 2nd Floor, KK Square, Prithviraj Road, C Scheme, Jaipur

This classy cafe serves food made from organic ingredients that are locally grown. Not only is the ambiance of the place great, but their coffee cream cafe and baked bread are also delightful for the taste buds. A pit stop here is what you need after your journey to Jaipur, to get you back on track. Don’t forget to try their freshly squeezed juices.

  1. Brown Sugar

Address: Aurum Apartment, Tilak Marg, C Scheme, Jaipur

Another chic cafe in Jaipur with great coffee, soothing music, and beautiful wooden interiors. They have a wonderful range of bread, Pizzas, and cakes at your service. It is a great place to hang out with friends or make a resting stop after shopping. The Highlight of the place would have to be the Nutella Pancakes and the open sitting arrangement.

  1. Spice court

Address:  Achrol House, Jacob Road, Civil Lines, Jaipur

What would be the fun if you are in Rajasthan but don’t try any signature Rajasthani dishes? Spice court is set up in a courtyard and is popular for its tribal dishes. Beneath the charming moonlight, enjoy your dinner with Daal Bati. They even arrange a puppet show for enjoyment. The menu is wide in range and so you have many options to choose from.

  1. Dragon House

Address: Khasa Kothi Circle, M.I. Road

This is the place for you if you are craving some Thai food or Chinese food. They have the greatest Asian cuisine in Rajasthan. Their Thai Salads and Dim sums might not look as attractive but the taste is delicious. If you are tired of all the Rajasthani food, come here for a break from the monotony.

  1. Chokhi Dhani

Address: Chokhi Dhani Village Resort, 12 Mile, Tonk Road, Jaipur

They not only offer you delicious Rajasthani cuisines with live music, but there is also a buffet option. Even the theme of the restaurant is Rajasthani Village and it shows as soon as you walk in. Have the authentic Rajasthan experience is Chokhi Dhani. They have various dishes like gate ki sabzi, dal bati churma, Rajasthani thali and they welcome you with a welcome drink i.e chilled Jal jeera.

  1. Grand Chanakya

Address: 4 A-B, Kashi Bhawan, M.I. Road, Panch Batti, Jaipur

The menu might be limited to Rajasthani and North Indian cuisines but the preparation and the taste make you forget about the lack of choice. Grand Chanakya is a high-end restaurant where you can enjoy delightful meals. Do try their Paneer Khurchan and Churma.

  1. Peacock Rooftop

Address: 51, Hathroi Fort, Hari Kishan Somani Marg (Ajmer Rd), Jaipur

As the name suggests, this is a rooftop restaurant with great ambiance and live music for your entertainment. Try the various skewers (especially mushroom) and veg raita. There isn’t a finer dining spot in whole Jaipur than this one.

Some other restaurants you can probably visit are Tapri tea House and Rawat Mishtan Bhandar. Here I conclude the list of the best vegetarian restaurants in Jaipur. You better be hungry when you go in because you would want to try out everything. Enjoy fine Rajasthani dining experience and eat like the foodie you are!

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Foodie

Pizza Express- The best Pizzas under one roof

Pizza Express is conveniently located on the third floor of Ambience Mall. Moving up the elevator, it is the first restaurant you’ll see. We went there one Sunday afternoon and though there were many places to dine nearby, we decided to give Pizza Express a try, because we love pizza. And honestly, who doesn’t? The place provides you with the familiarity of Pizza but with unique artisanal styles and a variety of toppings. Though, you should interact with your server about how it tastes so you don’t end up ordering the wrong thing.
Ambiance: The place is so spacious and beautiful during daytime with great lights and hanging birds on top. We were given a warm welcome on our arrival and escorted to our table. We got to see the pizza being baked before we were served. It is a nice place for a casual hang-out with friends.

Menu: There are many options for crusts and toppings available. Though the options for non-vegetarians are wider than those of the vegetarians, we decided to give them both a try. And apart from Pizzas, they offer other Italian cuisines as well. There were options for Pasta, Lasagna, Dough balls and one can’t help but order cheesecake for desert. The Menu is well classified and there is the good range of options.

Food: The mushroom and Emilgrana dip with dough balls made way for our taste buds to start tingling. The Melazante piccante is a must try pizza for everyone who visits. It is a beautifully baked pizza with the abundance of mozzarella, spicy marinated aubergines, and jalapeno. It is just the right amount of cheesy and crunchy. We also ordered ‘The American’ and garlic bread. The American Pizza was an 11-inch pizza that gets you your money’s value and is light on the stomach but Piccante was the highlight of that dining experience. The garlic bread was warm and buttery and by that time we were already filled. Yet, we ordered the dessert anyway. Glad that we did because the cheesecake was heavenly. So smooth on your tongue and the texture is amazing. We had ordered a gin and tonic which was expensive yet tasted totally random. So the beverages are not recommended but it is the best place for Italian food. The thin crust pizza and dough balls are highly recommended.

Highlights: The staff is really helpful and nice. They greet you with a warm smile as soon as you enter. Melzante Piccante Pizza is something I would love to go back for. If you go to Pizza Express, surely try this. There are happy hours for getting a free drink on the order of one and special discounts on group dining.



Verdict: Everything we tried was delicious and we really had no complaints. The place is a little expensive but all good things are. So, the next time we start craving Pizzas and hope to make a small dent in our pockets, we know where to go. We’ll give it a total of 4 out of 5 stars.

Address: T-303B, 3rd Floor, Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
Going Again: We have yet to try other dishes on their menu like the Apollo Pizza, Tomato Pesto, Ginger Fresca and for that, we will be going there again.
Cost: ₹2,000 for two people (approx.) and ₹230 for a pint of beer (approx.) They accept cash and cards.

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Foodie

Feel the taste of Southern India at Peninsular Kitchen, Vasant Kunj

There are not many dedicated South Indian places in Delhi where you can go in order to satisfy your South Indian foodie cravings. Peninsular Kitchen located in the plush area of Vasant Kunj at Ambience Mall, serves as a pleasant exception. The chefs brought from down south are well experienced to make the best South Indian dishes that you have ever tasted in a North Indian city. All the Peninsular states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka are covered in the vast menu along with some other seafood options straight from Goa.

The restaurant happens to be located in the Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj and the average cost per person is about 1000 INR.

Ambience

The decor is amazing and quite unique than anything you must have ever seen. The walls are decorated with huge anchors, reminders of the obvious Peninsula places, which mean the places surrounded by the ocean. The restaurant in itself is not huge, but the amazing lighting and interiors give it the illusion of a massive place. A large pillar is located in the middle of the place, with a boat-shaped base and the models of birds flying over in the sky. Get the idea? A display kitchen is also there giving you an amazing view of how the great best food is being prepared before it reaches on your tables. The lighting is all very soothing and blissful.

 

All in all, the ambiance of the restaurant is quite amazing with a lot to take home with you.

Cuisines

Covering almost all the best South Indian meals, the menu is quite confusing. Especially for the ones who aren’t as well acquainted with the South Indian meals and their names. For the starters, go for an orange colored drink called Sol Kadi, which would make you feel like tasting the beauty of entire southern India. The next stop for us was papad and Malabar Parantha, all crispy and hot. It was accompanied by four types of chatnis- tomato, mint, coconut, and mango. It served as a great appetizer. Spicy pumpkin curry and the very spicy yet memorable rawa dosa constituted my main course and I must say, it was all memorable with a taste I haven’t felt in all the South Indian restaurants that I have been in New Delhi.

For the dessert, I had the Pineapple Halwa which can be described as slowly cooked pineapple with dry fruits and coconut milk and this summed the meal up for me perfectly on a very happy note. The food exceeded my expectations quite well and considering the fact that I had to spend less than 900 on such great food seemed like an all-around win to me.

Highlights

While South India is the hottest spot for beaches, boasts of a different culture and cuisine every few hundred kilometers, there is hardly any such destination in the North with such diversity. Peninsular Kitchen takes the lead in bringing us quality coastal food and is a must visit place for such foodie cravings. The other main highlight of the place remains its ambiance, giving a feel of being in the middle of an ocean. Well tried!

There is no another place serving south Indian and coastal food better than Peninsular Kitchen in New Delhi. Go for it without thinking.

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Foodie North India

Experience the real Lucknowi food

The city of Nawabs is known for so many things that have secured a good place in the hearts of the Indians for the city. One of those many things is the delicate and tasty cuisines that get served here in the city almost everywhere from the high-end hotels and restaurants to the average street stalls. Lucknow mostly deals in the non-vegetarian food and there is no dearth of delicious options for the hardcore vegetarians as well. So, here are a few cuisines that you must try at any cost whenever you are there in the city.

Galawati Kabab– Kebabs get served here in the city in abundance. And what’s better you ask? There are more than a hundred variety of that are being served here. Out of them Galawati Kabab is the most sought after. There is a story that says that this particular recipe was so special once that it was served only to the Nawab and his family of the city. Galawati means- that melts in your mouth and it justifies its name quite perfectly. Meat and unripe papaya are used in making it and it’s something not to be missed.

Boti Kabab– The delicious meat when gets heated intensively and gets served with some of the best spices, the result is this. Although quite common in the rest of the country as well, it holds a certain charm that is unique for the Lucknowi cooks. This is one of the most popular and the most delicious recipes one can find anywhere.

Rogan Josh– Yes, for the hardcore chicken lovers, the name is enough to bring water in their mouths. Rogan Josh is one of the very few delicious items that are regular with the nonvegetarians. The very soft chicken gets mixed up with spicy curry is all you need for the night. You may have tried it a thousand times, but the one that belongs to Lucknow holds a unique charm and demands to be tried at least once.

Lucknowi Biryani– How could our list be incomplete without this! The Lucknowi biryani has many different varieties but the essence is the same all over. The rice is cooked in the fresh spices and then the chicken is added. This serves as a great mixture of mouth-watering taste and elegance. There are variants where it can be spicier on the request of the customers. To experience the real flavor of Dum Biryani, you can visit the Idris Dhaba, a small shop in the Chowk area.

Tokri Chaat– Chaat is known to be the most favorite snack for the countrymen, there are many ways to prepare it. The one that gets prepared here in Lucknow is not a lot different but it does feel tastier than the chaats prepared in any other parts of the country, especially the north India. Try Royal Café in Hazratganj, famous especially for its lip smacking basket chaat.

Lassi- To enjoy a great variety, you must visit the Sai Lassi Corner. The thick cream layer, top with dry fruits is what makes this place so special among the lassi lovers.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a foodie or not, everyone likes to eat and there is no one in the world that doesn’t get around by a delicious looking plate in front of them. Lucknowi meals are known for their taste and freshness and the best part, most of them are affordable by everyone.

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Foodie

Vegetarian Food trails in Mumbai 

Finding some really iconic vegetarian food spots is more difficult than breaking Da Vinci Codes in western countries. However, if it is about India then you have got more than you can count in your smart zippy calculators. Touted as the economic city of India, the city of dreams Mumbai also has a rich cultural flavor that fails to die even today. It is revered for its temples, rituals, and, more importantly, vegetarian food. From signature vada pav to exploding colorful pohas, Mumbai beats other cities of India with its vegetarian delicacies.We bring you the best vegetarian food trails in Mumbai right away. Here we go:

Shree Thaker Bhojanalay at Kalbadevi

It is one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Mumbai that can even serve Hulks without breaking a single drop of sweat. They bring in so much food on your platter that by the time you are done looking what you have got you feel full.

They serve you four types of Indian bread, five types of Indian sweet dishes, curries, sauces, veggies, salads, pickles, yogurt, rice, and everything vegetarian Mumbai has under the sky. Remember; visit this restaurant only on empty stomach.

Cannon at Churchgate

Pav Bhaji is the second most popular Maharashtrian dish after Vada Pav. You can easily find it at every corner of Mumbai city. But not all of them serve them as delicious as Cannon at Churchgate. Soft mouth-melting buns with some really spicy Indian veggies, onions, green chilies, and loads of butter, the bite just explodes in your mouth. Best value at the best price and the best taste.

Khau Gali at Churchgate

After Cannon at Churchgate station, it is now turn of Khau Gali in the same area. This place bustles with loads of other tourists from other parts of India. On the both sides are eateries serving some of the best Indian street dishes at very affordable prices. From sandwiches to vada pav to sugarcane juice, this place is like a small food fair.

Kyani & Co at Marine Lines

No food experience is complete without an authentic Parsi food in Mumbai. And one of the best ways to explore the delicacies is Kyani & Co located in the heart of Marine Lines from over a century now. Although this is not a completely vegetarian restaurant, there are some vegetarian dishes on the menu that are better than some of those mentioned above.

Its pastries are incredible and so as mava cake with loads of dry fruits. Irani tea is outstandingly exotic. One word—out of the world.

Prakahsh restaurant at Dadar

This is not one of the plushest restaurants on the list. It is small and unnoticeable to some extent in the heart of beautiful Dadar. But its food is just more than delicious.

Thalipith, Kothimber Wadi, Misal, Bharli Wangi, Sabudana Wada, Solkadh, and Piyush are some of the delicacies served on the menu.

Mumbai is not just about Bollywood, it has its own spiritual soul that reflects in its cultural amalgam and unforgettable food trails.

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Foodie North east Travel Trends

Delicacies from North-East

7 sisters as they are often known as are famous for its beautiful amalgam of culture.  The place is endowed with natural beauty and a large part is still untapped. So far you must have heard about places to visit in North-east India. This time, let’s take you to another facet of the place, which is yet to be discovered, is the variety of cuisines, that place offers for food lovers. Though most of them are non-vegetarian they are less spicy and very healthy.  Let me take you the culinary ride to these states with topmost delicacy from each state

Khar (Assam)

“Khar” is the key delicacy for Assamese. Traditional Assamese lunch usually starts with “Khar”. It is prepared by filtering pulp of raw papaya, pulses and few herbs through dried banana ashes. Ginger paste & mustard oil is added as per taste. It is quite refreshing and healthy. Kol Posola Khar & Papaya Khar is its variants.

Smoked pork from Nagaland

Pork is the main source of meat in Nagaland. It is usually prepared by boiling the dried smoked pork in soup, which consists of tomato, chilies and local herbs. Once fried with soup, one can feel the taste of bamboo shoots and soup inside which makes it lovable for pork lovers. Its deep smoky flavor makes it to top the food charts. Apparently, it tastes super with steamed plain rice. Chives are added to garnish it.

Eromba from Manipur

Eromba is the traditional cuisine of Meitei Community of Manipur. It is very spicy unlike other north-eastern cuisines as Chilli is the main ingredient of the cuisine. It is a tasteful combination of the favorite local ingredients like fermented dried fish, fermented bamboo-shoot and Raja/King chili. It goes well with rice and bread. Key for good Eromba is sweet smelling fermented fish.

Jadoh from Meghalaya

Jadoh is rice and meat-based Khasi delicacy from Meghalaya. It is famous pulao in Meghalaya and is usually cooked with minimum oil and spices which makes it all the more favorable for health-conscious folks.  Jadoh is usually prepared with hill rice or joha rice, which is short-grained, which is mixed with succulent pieces of Pork, chopped onions, green chilies and ginger garlic paste. Jadoh is generally served with Tungrymbai, ferment soy paste and Dohneiiong, pork with sesame seeds.

Bai from Mizoram

Bai is the primarily a stew kind of dish and is very popular amongst Mizos.  Bai could be vegetable Bai, or non -vegetarian as well. For non-vegeterian Bai, base is kept as pork, where-in spinach chopped cauliflower, beans, spices; rice and diced potato are boiled with water. It is heated till rice, meat are not cooked. The dish is healthy due to good content of spinach. Bamboo shoots make it more palpable and aromatic.

Awan Bangwi from Tripura

Awan Babgwi is a kind of dessert typical in Tripura. Prime ingredients used for this includes rice, cashew/raisins/ginger gratings; Rice is soaked overnight. It is then grinded with rest of the ingredients to make a paste, which is then wrapped in Laiu leaves in the form of cones. Its texture is both aromatic, and spicy.

Gyathuk from Sikkim   

It is primarily a noodle-based soup and is often called as “Thupka”. It is usually an appetizer but due to veggies/meat, it is quite filling. It is very soothing for the chilly winters in these areas. It can be served hot after garnishing it with spring onions.

Hungry Kya!! Pack your bags for North-east and enjoy the wide variety of healthy and tasty food!!!

 

 

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