Top 10 Indian Street Foods in Mumbai You Simply Can’t Miss

The Mayanagri, or Mumbai, may be renowned for its film industry, stunning beaches, and rich cultural heritage, but it’s just as popular for its street food offerings. From the flavourful local favourites, vada pav and pani puri, to melt-in-mouth meaty kebabs and rolls, the city offers something for everyone.

Mumbai, also known as the city of dreams or Mayanagri, is the heart of the Indian film industry, Bollywood, and is renowned for its fast-paced lifestyle. Whether exploring iconic landmarks like the Gateway of India or strolling along the scenic Marine Drive, there’s no shortage of exciting things to do in Mumbai, India. But beyond its tourist attractions and Bollywood vibes, there is one thing that truly captures the city’s soul – its street food.

Mumbai’s street food is nothing short of legendary, offering an irresistible mix of flavours and aromas that are sure to leave you craving for more. From tangy pani puri and mouthwatering Bhelpuri to spicy Vada Pav, the street food scene in Mumbai is a gastronomic experience that every foodie must indulge in at least once.

What are the Best Mumbai Street Foods?

While Mumbai or Bombay’s street food scene is undoubtedly among the best in India, choosing what to eat can feel a bit overwhelming.

To help you, here are some of the famous Mumbai street foods that every foodie must try at least once:

• Vada Pav
• Ragda Pattice
• Pav Bhaji
• Bhel Puri and Sev Puri
• Bombay Sandwich
• Keema Pav
• Pani Puri
• Kebabs and Rolls
• Baida Roti
• Falooda

Vada Pav

When someone says Mumbai’s street food, the first thing that comes to mind is the iconic vada pav. It is one of the popular and easily available street foods in the city. Often called the city’s very own burger, the dish features a batter-fried potato patty (called vada) placed between soft bread or pavs. They are served with sweet and spicy chutneys, garlic powder chutney and fried chillies, which are sure to give your taste buds a kick. A local’s favourite, Vada Pav, is not just a snack; it's a comfort food that can lift your spirit on even the gloomiest of days. Just pair it with a chai, and you are good to go!

Best places to try vada pav in Mumbai: Ashok Vada Pav (Kirti College Lane), Anand Stall (Vile Parle West), Parleshwar Vada Pav Samrat (Parleshwar), and Gajanan Vada Pav (Thane).

Ragda Pattice

Your list of must-try Indian street foods in Mumbai is incomplete without a plate of ragda pattice in it. This delectable food features a stew made of chickpeas and spices (ragda) poured over deep-fried mashed potato pattice. The dish is then garnished with chopped onion, coriander leaves, green chutney, tamarind chutney, and sev, giving it a perfect balance of spiciness, crunchiness, and sweetness.

Best places to try ragda pattice in Mumbai: Kailash Parbat (Colaba), Gurukripa (Sion West), and Sharma Chaat Bandar (Vile Parle West).

Pav Bhaji

No exploration of Bombay street food is complete without pav bhaji. Originally, a late-night food for workers made from leftovers, pav bhaji is now a famous Mumbai street food. The dish features a mouthwatering, thick curry (Bhaji) made with mashed vegetables and served with fluffy and soft pav. The bhaji or curry is garnished with a cube of butter, fresh coriander, chopped onions, and a dash of lemon. One bite of this delectable and lip-smacking dish, and you will know why it is one of the best fast foods in Mumbai.

Best places to try pav bhaji in Mumbai: Sardar Refreshments (Tardeo), Canon Pav Bhaji (Opposite CST station), Shri Krishna Fast Food (Juhu Beach), and Amar Juice Centre (Vile Parle West).

Bhel Puri

Remember the iconic song “Main toh raste se jaa raha tha, bhel puri kha raha tha” from Coolie No. 1? Believe it or not, that scene trully capture the Mumbai life. Every Mumbaikar has, at some point, enjoyed a plate of bhel puri while walking the busy streets, and now, it’s your turn to join the club. Bhel Puri is a mouthwatering dish, made from puffed rice mixed with an assortment of chopped vegetables, tamarind sauce, and a variety of chutneys. The combination results in an explosion of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavours that are sure to make you an addict. So, make sure to add bhel puri to your list of must-try street food in Bombay.

Best places to try bhel puri in Mumbai: Om Sai Sagar Chaat Centre (Juhu Beach Food Centre), Badshah’s (Girgaon Chowpatty Beach), and Sharma Bhel Puri House (Vile Parle East).

Bombay Sandwich

Bombay may have officially become Mumbai in 1995, but one thing that still proudly holds on to its old name is the iconic Bombay Sandwich. A popular Mumbai street food, the Bombay Sandwich is no ordinary sandwich. It features layers of thinly sliced vegetables, smeared with chutney and sandwiched between buttered bread. The end result is a colourful sandwich whose every bite will fill your mouth with a delicious, tangy taste.

Best places to try a Bombay sandwich in Mumbai: Mafco Farm Fair (Worli Sea Face), Sandwich Wallah (VT), Amar Juice Centre (Near Cooper Hospital), and Lucky Sandwich (Vile Parle Station).

Keema Pav

If you are craving some non-vegetarian food, then Keema Pav is a must-try Mumbai street food for you. The dish is prepared with minced meat, cooked to perfection with aromatic spices, and served with soft pav. The slow-cooked, flavorful keema perfectly complements the warm pav, creating a hearty and satisfying meal for those exploring Bombay’s street food scene.

Best places to try a Keema Pav in Mumbai: Parsi cafes and restaurants

Pani Puri

Of all the famous Mumbai street foods we have discussed so far, pani puri is not just a street food but an emotion. Famous not only in Mumbai but across the country, this dish features bite-sized puris that are first half-filled with a mixture of chickpeas, onion, potatoes, and chillies, and then finally dunked into flavoured waters like Khatta Meetha, Hing Jeera and more. The explosion of flavours with each pani puri is sure to leave you reaching for the next one before you've even swallowed the first.

Best places to try a pani puri in Mumbai: Punjab Sweet House (Bandra West), Juhu Beach Chaat Counters, Badsaha Panipuri (Girgaon Chowpatty), and Guru Kirpa (SIES College).

Kebabs and Rolls

Kebabs and rolls are probably the best non-vegetarian street food options in Mumbai. Take a walk through the Muhammad Ali Road and you will be transported into a world of sizzling, melt-in-mouth kebabs. These delicious delicacies are the stunner of Bombay street food, turning first-timers into lifelong fans with just one bite. The same goes for rolls, especially the bhuna rolls and chicken tikka rolls. Made with boneless chicken, which is cooked in a spice-filled gravy, and wrapped within a freshly cooked rumali roti, these rolls are the perfect late-night snack.

Best places to try kebabs and rolls in Mumbai: Bademiya (Colaba), Nice Eat Fast Food Corner (Santacruz West), and the stalls along the Muhammad Ali Road.

Baida Roti

Which one came first, the egg or the chicken? Well, while we don’t know the answer to this age-old question, one thing we do know for sure is the dish to eat if you want both – the iconic Baida Roti. The dish features a flatbread filled with a savoury filling of chicken and coated in egg before being shallow-fried. As you bite into its crispy exterior, you will be greeted with a burst of flavours that will surely make you understand why the dish is one of the best Mumbai street foods. The baida roti is usually served with green chutney or cucumber raita, along with a slice of lemon to squeeze on the roti.

Best places to try baida roti in Mumbai: Bademiya (Colaba) and Ayub’s (Dr. VB Gadhi Marg)

Falooda

The Bombay street food scene is not just about spicy, tangy snack options, but also some sweet and cool dishes like the Falooda. A royal favourite of the king of Persia, and bought in India by the Mughals, the falooda has a long history. The dish is a layered, chilled dessert typically made with milk, rose syrup, sabja seeds (sweet basil seeds), vermicelli, ice cream, and often nuts. It’s a refreshing and flavorful combination of textures and ingredients that is ideal for hot summers.

As we conclude our exploration of the best Indian street food in Mumbai, it is clear that the city’s street food scene is truly a feast for the senses. From the spicy comfort of pav bhaji to the explosion of spices in pani puri, each bite tells a story of Mumbai’s rich cultural heritage. So, next time you are in the city, ditch the restaurants, hit the streets, and let your taste buds do the exploring.

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