As a Mumbaikar, a proud - in every sense of the word - resident of a pulsating city, it is customary to make your presence felt, or perhaps simply live up to its name and live it up! What better way than to explore the cult eateries of this bustling city. You haven’t discovered the metropolis if you haven’t devoured its flavours. Historically significant or maybe just the ‘it’ thing with the uber cool and the unconventional, the ever so famed Mumbai spirit comes alive at these refectories.
CANDIES
Mac Ronells, 5AA Pali Hill, St. Andrews Road, Near Learners Academy, Pali Hill, Bandra (W)
26424124, 26422324
Located at the queen of the suburbs, Bandra, Candies has been popular for many years, previously only for their delicious victuals and desserts now for so much more. The café has extended in to a chain of four around the suburb, the largest one at Mac Ronells. This branch has both an air-conditioned section and split-level sections under a natural canopy of flora with the highest story known as the terrace garden. It also has a smoking section. Frequented by hip youngsters, office goers, city slickers, tourists and everybody who’s anybody, Candies at Mac Ronells feels like a place in the city away from the city. Inspiring in many ways, one can lounge here for hours together, with just a book for company or a bunch of friends. The service is friendly and absconding, hence preserving the ambient privacy. The only refectory where it appears to be Christmas all year round, the branch at Reclamation, however is much smaller. One can relish a wide variety of meals; Goan, Indian, Chinese and Continental or perhaps snacks, sandwiches and rolls. Desserts are available in ample array as well; tarts, pastries, cookies or mousse.
JUST AROUND THE CORNER
Gr Flr 110 Cyrus House, Opp. St. Theresa School, Junction of 24th and 30th Road, TPS III, Bandra (W)
26006717, 26002665
A neighbourhood eatery located around the corner, JATC as it is fondly called, is everything that it is because of the crowds that frequent the place. The joint offers everything from sandwiches to pasta, salads to desserts and coffee to pizza under one roof, with Café Coffee Day and Pizzeria in coalition with it. It has an air-conditioned seating area and an out door seating section, with a smoking and non-smoking division. One can often spot celebrities and video jockeys here, yet a couple of visits later the familiar faces remain all else but the celebrities. While one cannot classify visitors by age one can definitely recognize them by either a hip or eccentric demeanour. They may be models, tourists or college students perhaps even corporate proprietors out to lunch.
PRITHVI CAFÉ
Janki Kutir Society, Juhu Road, Juhu, Vile Parle (W)
26174118, 9821031063
Dim lights and sounds of a pleasant flute, intellectuals longing for a serene ambience or visitors simply keen on quietude, this open air café is a sojourn for artists. Through script narrations or rehearsals, performers and writers alike unwind here. The fare dished-out is both reasonably priced and delicious. A lazy afternoon hangout, an escape from the city hustle, a romantic venue for a date or a ‘me-time’ spot, located in the Prithvi Theatre complex, truly unique, this café deserves a stop over.
MOCHA
Ground Floor, 7 Chateau Marine, Opp. Natraj Hotel, Marine Drive
66336070
Located around the city, Mocha outlets are vintage in décor, with wooden furnishings and dim lights. They have both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned sections. A coffee shop that serves a large variety of coffees and shakes, unlike any offered across the city. Popular for its chocolate based desserts and flavoured hookahs, this café is frequented by the youth and hookah enthusiasts. They also serve decent food and a wine menu, though in comparison with other cafes, this one is pricey.
LEOPOLD CAFÉ
Colaba Causeway, Bhagat Singh Road, Next To Regal Cinema, Colaba
22828185, 22020131
Founded by the Iranis in 1871 as a wholesale oil store which subsequently became today’s multi-cuisine restaurant; Leopold Café serves Continental, Chinese and Indian fare on the bustling Colaba Causeway. Frequented more so by tourists and the youth of Mumbai; it has a bar on the first level with drinks that are fairly priced. In the past year its popularity has risen as the spot where the 2008 terrorist attack took place. Perhaps mediocre in taste yet this bistro has an unmatched charm. And of course it’s absolutely safe!
BRITANNIA AND COMPANY RESTAURANT
Wakefield House, 11 Sprott Road, 16 Ballard Estate, Colaba
22615264
Britannia is renowned for its Parsi cuisine is an old iconic eatery in Colaba. Despite flaking walls and ceilings, regulars cannot be deterred. The chicken berry pulao and the caramel custard have many raving. Open only in the afternoon and closed on Sundays; visitors include tourists, office goers and staunch fans of Parsi food.
SARDAR PAV BHAJI
166A, Tardeo Road Junction, Tardeo
23530208
This purely vegetarian joint located in Tardeo is of course famous for its inexpensive pav bhaji. Regulars claim to never have tasted pav bhaji like this before. Yet the meal is incomplete without copious amounts of butter, if on a diet do avoid this place. The service is courteous nonetheless, the eatery is small and not air-conditioned, possibly a better option for a take-away or a late night snack since it’s one of the few places open until 2:00 in the morning.
MOSHE’S
7 Minoo Manor, Badhwar Park, Cuffe Parade
22161226
Chef Moshe Shek’s Mediterranean cafes spread across South Bombay, popular for their cosy ambience and menu of Italian, Lebanese and Moroccan cuisines are undeniably the best spots in the city for a romantic date. The flagship located at Cuffe Parade, has a posh air-conditioned seating area indoors yet nothing can match up to the al-fresco section, in the exterior, lit up with flickering lanterns complete with soft music and wooden furnishings. The service is non-intrusive only accentuating the personal tone of the café. It also makes for a wine and dine option. A large delicatessen counter displays delectable cakes, pies and fresh bakes; the salads, pastas and fondue are surely commendable. Moshe’s has a hearty breakfast menu with Middle-Eastern preparations as well. Parties that visit comprise socialites, families, businessmen and couples of course.
Surely there are many cult eateries around town, to get your taste buds tingling although some will disappoint the haughty, drop all qualms at the door if you truly wish to savour the essence of Mumbai city. Diverse in classes, the city caters to the masses offering both humble joints and finer options.
Tags: britannia-and-company-restaurant, candies, jatc, leopold-cafe, moshe's, Mumbai-cult-eateries, sardar-pav-bhaji
Tweet This
