Street Food in Mumbai
Street food in Mumbai is like having a friend who’s always got your backs. Or more like your tummy’s. Because whether it’s about grabbing a vada pav on the go or snacking on bhel puri by the road, you’d always find something to get your taste buds in a tizzy. Also, let’s admit it, given the expenses and the fast-paced life of the city, you don’t get much time to stop by and have a full-blown meal whenever and wherever. So hoggin’ on the best street food in Mumbai is the best way to keep your hunger – and your bank balance – in check.
But one thing that’s hard to keep a check on, unfortunately, is your hectic routine. Especially if you’re new to the city. So we know you won’t have time to follow a proper itinerary to try out the city’s many street food places or the gazillion different dishes one by one. Though, it’s nothing you need to worry about. Coz we’ve already done some research and compiled a list of the 10 best dishes that are part of the famous street food in Mumbai. And this is just one of the things we do for young people like you at our Stanza Living apartments. Our managed apartments come with professional housekeeping, 24×7 security, and a super speedy wifi connection. Plus, our apartments are surprisingly spacious too. So you won’t be bummed out by looking at a tiny kitchen and end up skipping your cooking duties every other day. But yeah, good kitchen or not, grabbing some street grub is always something to go for. And that’s exactly why you should bookmark this page and write down these names. Because on the days when you miss your mum’s dal and sabji a bit too much, the city will always serve out some pav bhaji to wipe away your hunger – and your tears!
Best Street Food Items to Try in Mumbai
Top 10 street food items to try out in Mumbai are:
- Vada Pav
- Bhel Puri and Sev Puri
- Ragda Pattice
- Bombay Sandwich
- Kanda Batata Poha
- Sabudana Vada
- Kanda Bhaji
- Zunka Bhakar
- Falooda
- Dabeli
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Looking for a place with tasty, homely meals? Just check out our managed apartments in Mumbai. |
Vada Pav
They say Mumbaikars can’t survive even a day without hoggin on a plate of Vada Pav. And we don’t blame them for it. Because who’s gonna reject a bun (pav) topped with a fritter (vada) and doused with bucket loads of spicy and sweet chutneys? At least, not us. Especially when it’s available in every nook and corner of the city. In fact, the probability of not finding a vada pav stall in Mumbai is even less than finding a calm dudebro stuck in traffic in Delhi. Imagine.
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Where to Try: Anand Vada Pav Stall and Parleshwar Vada Pav Samrat in Vile Parle West |
Bhel Puri and Sev Puri
Bhelpuri is a Marathi chaat made with vegetables, nuts, puffed rice, and, of course, a tangy tamarind sauce. And Sev Puri is more like its older sibling with the same ingredients except with the addition of Sev (noodle-like crunchy pieces made out of a chickpea paste). Also, they’re easy to carry. Thanks to the makeshift cones made out of recycled paper. So yes, if you find a test paper underneath your belt, then don’t be surprised. It’s how test papers end up in India. And it’s a healthy reminder that the marks you get in school don’t matter as much as your teachers try to scare you into believing.
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Where to Try: Mamledar Kacheri at Naupada in Thane West |
Ragda Pattice
Ragda Pattice has got two things. One, deep-fried patties with mashed potatoes. And two, a ragda – a thick spicy gravy with chickpeas. We recommend trying out this dish at the Kailash Parbat eatery. One bite of their Ragda Pattice and you’re gonna exceed the daily transaction limit on your UPI wallet in no time.
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Where to try: Cannon Pav Bhaji on Dadabhaji Naoroji Road near CST |
Bombay Sandwich
If you type Mumbai famous food on the Google search bar, then the Bombay sandwich will pop up for sure. Though, it’s not just your typical sandwich with onions and potatoes. It comes with slices of beetroot and loads of mint chutney too. Now, we know most people have a love-hate relationship with mint chutney, but we assure you, one good Bombay sandwich is all you need to change the hater’s mind.
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Where to Try: Mafco Farm Fair on Worli Sea Face and Sandwich Wallah outside Xavier’s |
Kanda Batata Poha
Although poha is something that everybody is familiar with, the one served in Mumbai’s many street stalls comes with an extra twist i.e a flavourful blast of kanda, sev, and lemon juice. Perfect for people who need something more exciting than just bread and omelet for breakfast.
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Where to Try: Khyani Co. in Marine Lines and Jimmy Boy on Bank Street near Horniman Circle |
Sabudana Vada
Also known as Sago Vada, Sabudana Vada is every cutting chai’s partner in crime. If you consider wasting countless hours in a roadside tapri during Bombay monsoons a crime, that is. Sure, non-mumbaikars might not see Sabudana as something exciting and rather a reminder of your grandma’s daily staple. Though, after you’ve spent some time exploring Mumbai’s street food culture, you’ll start recommending this dish to everyone on your contact list for sure.
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Where to Try: Prakash Shakahari Upahaar Kendra |
Kanda Bhaji
Another staple during the infamous monsoons of Mumbai is Kanda Bhaji. A street dish made of onions, gram flour, and loads – we mean LOADS – of spices. So if you have a friend who can’t digest their food without a dozen green chilies on the side, a plateful of Kanda bhaji is gonna make them super happy.
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Where to Try: Jadhav Bandhu Vadapav Centre |
Zunka Bhakar
Zunka Bhakar is an important member of the Mumbai street food list. The lip-smacking dish is made with chopped onions heated with mustard seeds, chickpea flour, and curry patta leaves. So we don’t know about you, but anything with curry patta is enough to make a 5-star chef like Ranveer Brar go bonkers. Just watch any of his cooking lessons and note down the number of times he mentions curry patta.
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Where to Try: Stalls opposite CST and BMC Headquarters |
Falooda
Falooda is proof of the fact that Mumbai’s street food culture is not just limited to snacks. It’s also about plenty of refreshing beverages. Falooda includes vermicelli, rose syrup, milk, almonds, pistachios, and ice cream. Basically, everything that makes you go full ASMR every time you visit a supermarket.
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Where to Try: Badshah at LT Marg in Crawford Market |
Dabeli
Last but not least, we’ve got Dabeli, a sister dish of vada pav. The mouthwatering dish is created with buns and a mix of mashed potatoes, nylon sev, mashed potatoes, and pomegranate seeds. Also, it’s a Gujarati dish. So it’s just another strong piece of evidence of how Gujjus find their way into different cultures, from Bombay to, well, Canada.
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Where to Try: Vada pav stall in Mumbai |
Check out Street Food in other Cities
FAQs on Street Food in Mumbai
Which is The Most Must-try Street Food Dish in Mumbai?
When it comes to Bombay’s street food, you’ve got loads to explore. So we’ve made a list of the most popular items that can help you kick start this journey:
- Vada Pav
- Bhel Puri
- Kanda Poha
Where Can I get the Best Vada Pav in Mumbai?
We don’t care what anybody says, but Parleshwar Vada Pav Samrat and Anand Vada Pav Stall are the ones that serve the best vada pavs in town.
Which are the Most Popular Areas in Mumbai to Try Street Food?
Surely, these are the top 3 areas to find the best street food stalls in Mumbai:
- Crawford Market
- Girgaon Chowpatty
- Khau Galli
What is the Average Price of Street Food in Mumbai?
The average cost of a street food item can range anywhere between 10-100 INR. So yes, you won’t feel like burning a hole in your wallet when you’re out visiting touristy places with your friends.
Are Street Food Stalls in Mumbai Open Till Late at Night?
Well, Bombay is known as a city that doesn’t sleep. And for a city to stay up late, they need some food to keep going. So yup, most street food stalls in Mumbai are open till late at night. Especially in the areas where there are loads of tourists hanging out. For example, Marine Drive, Girgaon Chowpatty, and Khau Galli.
