munching through Mumbai

Masque started as a passion project and has turned into something much bigger than I ever imagined. Housed in a former textile mill (an institution in itself!), Masque is where storytelling and gastronomy collide. The tasting menu changes with the seasons, but what remains constant is the deep-rooted connection to Indian traditions, techniques and ingredients. Expect the unexpected, along with cocktails that challenge everything you thought you knew about drinking. If you love surprises, ask the team for an off-menu experiment – they’ll almost always have one. 

South Bombay’s OG spot for filter kaapi and perfectly crisp dosas. The walls are lined with portraits of Carnatic musicians, the waiters are no-nonsense and you will be asked to share your table with strangers (it’s part of the charm). The rava dosa, ghee podi idli and upma are mandatory orders. And don’t be that person who leaves without the coffee—it’s frothy, strong, and quite possibly the best way to start your day. I’m also pretty sure you’ll order that second cup.  

Trishna is one of those places you go back to again and again. The seafood is the freshest you’ll find, the butter garlic crab is iconic, and the dal fry? Criminally underrated. It’s loud, it’s busy, and it’s the best kind of Mumbai chaos. Get ready to get your hands dirty, because cutlery is for the weak. The only way to eat here is all in!  

If coffee is a ritual for you, Araku is a must. Their beans come straight from tribal farmers in the Eastern Ghats, and you can taste the care in every sip. The cafe space itself is effortlessly cool—warm white interiors, big windows and shelves lined with gorgeous coffee gear. Their pour-over and cafe l’orange cold brew is excellent, but the food, too, is a sleeper hit. Pair your coffee with one of their cultured butter croissants and you’ll be plotting your return before you’ve even left. 

The kind of meal that makes all other afternoon plans impossible, but only because you’ll need a big nap. Tucked away in a chaotic Kalbadevi lane, Shree Thaker is an institution that has been dishing out soul-satisfying thalis since 1945. The servers keep refilling your plate before you’ve even registered all the food you’ve eaten, and you find yourself saying yes to everything — soft theplas, fluffy rotis, kadhi that’s sweet, sour and spicy all at once, ghee-drizzled dal, fresh aamras when it’s in season, and everything in between. It’s a part of Mumbai’s history, and rightly so. 

Mizu boasts of a menu that celebrates simplicity done right. The ramen here is great—the vegetarian miso ramen is rich, deeply umami, and the kind of bowl you’ll crave on a rainy day. The tempura is light-as-air crisp, and the nasu dengaku (miso-glazed eggplant) is a personal favourite—silky, smoky, and utterly addictive. If you love sushi, their avocado and shiso roll is an understated star. Pair it all with a Yuzu Highball, please, and thank me later! If your sweet tooth needs some love, call for the watermelon blossom kakigori and the light-as-air Japanese cotton cheesecake, the perfect finishers for the evening.  

There’s something magical about sitting at a counter, watching a meal come together right in front of you. Papa’s, tucked away above Veronica’s in Bandra, is exactly that kind of experience. Chef Hussain Shahzad puts together a playful tasting menu that’s rooted in Indian flavours but refuses to be boxed in. The space is intimate, the food is clever. They have literal tricks up their sleeves (expect a server to show you some card tricks while you wait for your next course).  

A ‘NO BULLSH*T’ bakery that understands the assignment. The pizzas here are a proper nod to New York—chewy, slightly charred and loaded with flavor. The croissants are buttery layers of perfection. And the cookies? Let’s just say you won’t be sharing. It’s a space that smells like heaven (aka fresh bread and melted cheese) and feels like a tiny pocket of happiness in the city. The vibe is just right—casual, unpretentious, but with an obsessive dedication to quality. 

Tiny, always packed, and completely worth the wait. Izumi’s sushi is fresh, delicate and crafted with a level of care that’s rare in this city. The ramen here is legit—comforting, rich, and exactly what you crave. Every time I go, I end up wanting to order half their menu. The best way to do it? Go with a friend, order a little too much, and stay till you physically can’t eat another bite. 

Tucked inside a beautifully restored Art Deco bungalow, Circle SixtyNine is part of a private members’ club, but it feels like a little secret in the middle of the city. It has the warmth of an old-world salon with an aesthetic that makes you want to settle in for the night. Pair your wine with their small plates (think seasonal, European-inspired bites), and you’ve got yourself a night. 

Soam is the kind of place that feels familiar even on your first visit. The menu is stacked with dishes you’d typically find in a Gujarati or Rajasthani home—panki, fada ni khichdi, gatte ki sabzi. Their farsan is crisp and golden, the undhiyu is a winter must-have—but everything is done with just a little more finesse. It’s vegetarian food at its best: simple, soulful and full of nostalgia. 

The kind of place you go when you’re in the mood for something rich, slow-cooked, and heavy on nostalgia. The dals are indulgent, the kebabs melt in your mouth, and the curries are unapologetically full of spice and ghee. Don’t leave without the large, flaky naans. If you’re craving a proper, indulgent North Indian feast, this is where you go. 

Avartana takes South Indian flavors and flips them on their head. The tasting menu is an experience—course after course of flavors that feel familiar but arrive in unexpected ways. Think rasam that’s served like a consommé, or chutneys that are deconstructed and reimagined. It’s inventive, but never at the cost of flavor. 

Bandra Born is the city’s food scene in a nutshell—eclectic, fun and full of personality. The menu doesn’t take itself too seriously, but the flavours are spot on, right from Goan chorizo to the Parsi akuri. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why Bandra has always been the coolest kid in town.