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.
