best restaurants in mumbai (2026) - from street-side to 5-star, 25 honest picks

tldr: out of 25 restaurants, my top 3 are masala library (best fine dining, bkc), britannia & co (best iconic experience, ballard estate), and trishna (best seafood, kala ghoda). mumbai’s food scene is overwhelming - this guide cuts through the noise with honest picks across every budget.

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every time i’m in mumbai, i eat too much. that’s not a complaint. it’s just how mumbai works. the city has more restaurants per square kilometer than most cities have people, and the range is absurd - rs 50 vada pav to rs 5,000 tasting menus, all within the same neighborhood sometimes.

most “best restaurants in mumbai” lists are either zomato copy-paste jobs or sponsored content disguised as reviews. a friend who lives in bandra once showed me a “top restaurants” article that listed three places that had already shut down. that’s the state of mumbai food writing.

this list is different. some of these i’ve eaten at myself over multiple mumbai trips. others come from friends who live across mumbai - bandra, colaba, andheri, bkc - and whose food opinions i trust. i’ve categorized everything by what you’re actually looking for, because “best restaurant” without context is meaningless.

if you’re specifically after cafes for working, street food, or bars, i’ve written dedicated guides for those.

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the awards (my personal picks)

• best overall fine dining: masala library, bkc
• best iconic mumbai restaurant: britannia & co, ballard estate
• best seafood: trishna, kala ghoda
• best new wave dining: bastian, bandra
• best casual classic: leopold cafe, colaba
• best value: ram ashray, matunga
• best for dates: wasabi by morimoto, oberoi
• best late-night: bademiya, colaba
• most overrated: mainland china (it was good in 2015)

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the full list

#	restaurant	area	type	cost for two	my rating
1	masala library	bkc	modern indian	rs 5,000	9.5/10
2	indian accent	oberoi, nariman point	modern indian	rs 6,000	9.5/10
3	wasabi by morimoto	oberoi, nariman point	japanese	rs 7,000	9/10
4	trishna	kala ghoda	seafood	rs 2,000	9/10
5	britannia & co	ballard estate	parsi	rs 500	9/10
6	bastian	bandra	seafood / continental	rs 3,500	9/10
7	leopold cafe	colaba	multi-cuisine	rs 1,200	8.5/10
8	bademiya	colaba	kebabs / rolls	rs 600	8.5/10
9	ram ashray	matunga	south indian	rs 200	8.5/10
10	pali village cafe	bandra	all-day dining	rs 1,500	8.5/10
11	the table	colaba	farm-to-table	rs 3,000	8.5/10
12	yauatcha	bkc	dim sum / chinese	rs 3,500	8/10
13	izumi	bandra	japanese	rs 2,500	8/10
14	the clearing house	ballard estate	european	rs 2,500	8/10
15	cafe madras	matunga	south indian	rs 250	8/10
16	persian darbar	bhendi bazaar	mughlai	rs 700	8/10
17	soam	marine lines	gujarati vegetarian	rs 600	8/10
18	mahesh lunch home	fort	coastal / seafood	rs 1,200	8/10
19	khyber	fort	north indian	rs 2,000	7.5/10
20	gajalee	vile parle	seafood	rs 1,000	7.5/10
21	the bombay canteen	lower parel	modern indian	rs 2,500	7.5/10
22	suzette	bandra	french	rs 1,200	7.5/10
23	peshawri	itc maratha, andheri	northwest frontier	rs 4,000	7.5/10
24	salt water cafe	bandra	continental	rs 2,000	7/10
25	hakkasan	bandra	chinese	rs 4,000	7/10

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fine dining (the splurge-worthy ones)

1. masala library by jiggs kalra

bkc / rs 5,000 for two / 9.5/10

masala library is the best fine dining restaurant in mumbai. i’ll say it plainly. last trip, a friend insisted i try the tasting menu and it genuinely changed how i think about indian food.

the concept is molecular gastronomy meets traditional indian flavors. pani puri that arrives as a sphere you pop in your mouth. dal makhani that’s been slow-cooked for 48 hours. mishti doi deconstructed into something that looks like modern art but tastes like your grandmother’s kitchen.

the presentation is theatrical. courses arrive with smoke, dry ice, and explanations from the chef. it could be gimmicky but it’s not - every dish tastes as good as it looks. the tasting menu (rs 4,500 per person) is the way to go. ordering a la carte misses the point.

what to order: the tasting menu. trust the kitchen. verdict: best fine dining in mumbai. worth the splurge even if you eat vada pav for the rest of the week.

2. indian accent

the oberoi, nariman point / rs 6,000 for two / 9.5/10

manish mehrotra’s indian accent was already legendary in delhi. the mumbai outpost at the oberoi is equally impressive. modern indian food that takes traditional dishes and elevates them without losing the soul.

the daulat ki chaat (a winter delhi street food turned into a fine dining course) is poetry. the pork ribs with meetha achaar glaze are addictive. every dish has a story rooted in regional indian cuisine, and the kitchen executes flawlessly.

yes, it’s expensive. rs 6,000 for two is the minimum. but this is genuinely world-class cooking. the kind of food that makes you understand why mumbai has more michelin-caliber restaurants than most indian cities.

what to order: daulat ki chaat, pork ribs with meetha achaar, ghee roast lamb, the dessert flight verdict: tied with masala library for best fine dining. different styles, both exceptional.

3. wasabi by morimoto

the oberoi, nariman point / rs 7,000 for two / 9/10

the most expensive restaurant on this list, and worth every rupee if you love japanese food. iron chef masaharu morimoto’s mumbai outpost does sushi, sashimi, and robata grill at a level that rivals tokyo restaurants.

the fish is flown in fresh. the omakase is rs 5,000 per person and genuinely exceptional. the black cod miso is the signature dish and it’s the best single dish i’ve had in mumbai - the fish melts.

this is date-night territory. the interiors are stunning. the sake menu is extensive. the bill will make you wince. but if you’re celebrating something, this is where you go.

what to order: black cod miso, omakase sushi, yellowtail jalapeno, mochi ice cream verdict: best japanese restaurant in india. save up, dress up, show up.

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the icons (mumbai legends)

4. trishna

kala ghoda, fort / rs 2,000 for two / 9/10

trishna’s butter garlic crab has been famous since before i was born. the restaurant is in a nondescript lane in kala ghoda, the decor is unremarkable, and the menu is focused. coastal seafood, done perfectly.

every time i’m in south mumbai, this is non-negotiable. the butter garlic crab (rs 900-1,200 depending on size) is worth every rupee. the koliwada prawns are crispy and perfectly spiced. the neer dosa with crab curry is the most comforting thing you’ll eat in mumbai.

the place is always packed. always. book ahead or go early for lunch. the waiters have been here for decades and they know exactly what you should order. trust them.

what to order: butter garlic crab, koliwada prawns, neer dosa, bombil fry verdict: best seafood restaurant in mumbai. the butter garlic crab alone justifies the trip.

5. britannia & co

ballard estate / rs 500 for two / 9/10

the most charming restaurant in mumbai. britannia has been serving parsi food in ballard estate since 1923. the late boman kohinoor ran this place well into his 90s, personally greeting every table. the spirit continues.

the berry pulao is the signature - basmati rice cooked with saffron, spices, and iranian barberries (zereshk) imported directly from iran. it’s sweet, fragrant, and absolutely unique. you won’t find this dish anywhere else in india. pair it with the dhansak (lentil-meat curry, parsi classic) and you have one of the most distinctive meals in the city.

the prices are laughably reasonable for the quality. rs 250 for the berry pulao. in ballard estate. in 2026. the place feels frozen in time - ceiling fans, wooden chairs, old photographs, vintage soda bottles. it’s not just a restaurant, it’s a living piece of mumbai history.

what to order: berry pulao with chicken, dhansak, caramel custard, raspberry soda verdict: most iconic restaurant in mumbai. go before it changes (it won’t, but still).

6. leopold cafe

colaba / rs 1,200 for two / 8.5/10

leopold has been here since 1871 and survived the 2008 attacks. the bullet holes are still in the walls. the menu is massive, the crowd is a mix of tourists and locals, and the beer is always cold.

the food is honestly average. it’s not why you go. you go for the experience. sitting in leopold with a kingfisher, watching colaba go by through the open doors, is a mumbai ritual. it’s loud, it’s chaotic, it’s everything mumbai is.

that said, the chicken sizzler is surprisingly good. the breakfast is solid. just don’t order the continental dishes - they haven’t updated those recipes since 1995.

what to order: chicken sizzler, beer, breakfast platters verdict: go for the history and the vibes. manage food expectations accordingly.

7. bademiya

behind the taj, colaba / rs 600 for two / 8.5/10

mumbai’s most famous late-night kebab spot. bademiya sets up their open-air grill behind the taj mahal palace every evening, and the smoke from the seekh kebabs draws crowds until 2am.

the chicken seekh kebab roll is the move. rs 150 for a roll that’s genuinely better than most sit-down kebab restaurants. the baida roti (egg-wrapped paratha) is crispy, flaky perfection. the crowd at midnight - investment bankers standing next to taxi drivers, all eating the same rs 150 roll - is peak mumbai.

there’s also a sit-down restaurant now (tulloch road), but the street stall is the real experience. standing on the footpath, eating a hot kebab roll while the taj palace glows behind you - that’s the post.

what to order: chicken seekh kebab roll, baida roti, chicken tikka, mutton boti verdict: best late-night food in mumbai. the street stall, not the restaurant.

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budget legends (under rs 500 for two)

8. ram ashray

king’s circle, matunga / rs 200 for two / 8.5/10

the best south indian food in mumbai for the price. ram ashray near matunga station has been serving idli, dosa, and filter coffee since the 1940s. the dosa is paper-thin, crispy, and costs rs 60. the sambar is rich and coconut-y.

matunga is mumbai’s south indian heartland, and ram ashray is the anchor. no frills, no ac, no instagram-worthy decor. just incredible food at prices that make you question why anyone pays rs 400 for a dosa in bandra.

what to order: paper masala dosa, mysore masala dosa, idli sambar, filter coffee verdict: best value restaurant in mumbai. rs 200 for two and you eat like royalty.

9. cafe madras

matunga / rs 250 for two / 8/10

right around the corner from ram ashray. cafe madras does south indian breakfast better than most restaurants in chennai. the uttapam here is thick, soft, and loaded with toppings. the vada is crispy outside, fluffy inside.

the crowd is half matunga regulars and half office-goers from nearby. the turnover is fast, the food is fresh, and the coffee is excellent.

what to order: uttapam, medu vada, rava dosa, filter coffee verdict: matunga’s other south indian gem. go to both ram ashray and cafe madras - they’re 2 minutes apart.

10. soam

chowpatty, marine lines / rs 600 for two / 8/10

gujarati vegetarian food near chowpatty beach. soam does thalis, chaats, and farsan (gujarati snacks) that are genuinely excellent. the dal dhokli is comfort food perfection. the pani puri here is among mumbai’s best.

clean, well-organized, and the staff is helpful. great option after a chowpatty beach sunset - walk, eat, repeat.

what to order: dal dhokli, pani puri, thali, dabeli verdict: best gujarati vegetarian in south mumbai. honest, affordable, delicious.

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new wave (the cool kids)

11. bastian

bandra / rs 3,500 for two / 9/10

bastian is where bandra goes to be seen. last trip, a friend who lives near pali hill took me here for dinner and i understood the hype immediately. the seafood is exceptional - the lobster thermidor, the crab cakes, the seared tuna - everything tastes like it was pulled from the ocean that morning.

the vibe is casual-luxe. high ceilings, exposed brick, great cocktails. the sunday brunch is legendary (covered in my brunch guide). celebrity sightings are common. you might spot someone from bollywood at the next table.

the portions are generous for the price point. the cocktails are creative and strong. this is bandra’s answer to “where should we go tonight?” for anyone with a decent budget.

what to order: lobster thermidor, crab cakes, truffle fries, the cocktails verdict: best all-round new restaurant in mumbai. seafood, vibes, and drinks all deliver.

12. yauatcha

bkc / rs 3,500 for two / 8/10

dim sum done right. yauatcha is a london import and the bkc outpost maintains the standard. the crystal har gau (prawn dumplings) are translucent and perfectly steamed. the cheung fun (rice noodle rolls) are silky. the desserts are works of art.

it’s expensive. rs 3,500 is the realistic minimum for two. but the quality of the dim sum is genuinely high. if you’ve had dim sum in hong kong or london, this holds up. the tea menu is extensive and worth exploring.

the space is beautiful. dark, moody, with an aquarium wall. good for dates if you want to seem cultured.

what to order: crystal har gau, edamame truffle dumpling, cheung fun, chocolate fondant verdict: best dim sum in mumbai. expensive but the quality justifies it.

13. izumi

bandra / rs 2,500 for two / 8/10

bandra’s best japanese restaurant. not wasabi-level luxury, but excellent sushi, robata grill, and ramen at more reasonable prices. the omakase here is rs 2,500 per person and surprisingly good for the price point.

the interiors are minimal and clean. the sushi chef knows what he’s doing. the ramen is rich, porky, and comforting on a rainy mumbai evening.

what to order: omakase, tonkotsu ramen, edamame, spicy tuna roll verdict: best mid-range japanese in mumbai. great value compared to wasabi.

14. the table

colaba / rs 3,000 for two / 8.5/10

farm-to-table before it was a buzzword. the table sources directly from local farms, and the menu changes with the seasons. the craft cocktails are some of the best in mumbai. the pasta is made fresh daily.

the colaba location is intimate. weekend brunch gets packed. the cocktail program alone is worth a visit - the bartender knows their stuff.

what to order: whatever’s seasonal, burrata, craft cocktails, the brunch menu verdict: best farm-to-table dining in mumbai. consistently excellent.

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the reliable stalwarts

15. persian darbar

bhendi bazaar / rs 700 for two / 8/10

the bhendi bazaar original. persian darbar has been doing mughlai food for decades. the chicken biryani is fragrant and layered properly. the seekh kebabs are juicy. the roomali roti arrives paper-thin.

the ambiance is basic. you’re in bhendi bazaar for the food, not the decor. go during ramzan for the special menu - the haleem and the firni are exceptional.

what to order: chicken biryani, seekh kebab, butter chicken, firni verdict: best mughlai restaurant in mumbai. authentic, affordable, consistently good.

16. mahesh lunch home

fort / rs 1,200 for two / 8/10

coastal karnataka and goan seafood in the heart of fort. mahesh has been around since the 1980s and the quality hasn’t dipped. the surmai fry (kingfish) is crispy and perfectly spiced. the prawn gassi with neer dosa is comfort food.

busy during lunch with the fort office crowd. dinner is slightly calmer. the bangalore butter pepper garlic crab here gives trishna competition.

what to order: surmai fry, prawn gassi, neer dosa, crab butter pepper garlic verdict: best coastal seafood after trishna. more affordable, equally delicious.

17. pali village cafe

bandra / rs 1,500 for two / 8.5/10

my go-to casual spot in bandra. pali village cafe does all-day dining with a menu that somehow works for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks. the eggs benedict are perfect. the pizza is thin-crust and legit. the cocktails are surprisingly good for a cafe.

the outdoor seating on pali hill is lovely in winter. the interiors are vintage-bohemian. it’s the kind of place where you go for coffee and end up staying for dinner.

what to order: eggs benedict, thin-crust pizza, chicken burger, espresso martini verdict: best all-day restaurant in bandra. the one place that works for every occasion.

18. the clearing house

ballard estate / rs 2,500 for two / 8/10

colonial elegance in ballard estate’s heritage precinct. the clearing house occupies a beautiful restored building with high ceilings, wooden floors, and a bar that looks like it belongs in a film set. the food is european with indian touches.

the steak is the best in south mumbai. the wine list is well-curated. the brunch is covered in my brunch guide and it’s worth a visit.

what to order: ribeye steak, crab salad, wine, the cheese board verdict: most beautiful restaurant in mumbai. the food matches the setting.

19. khyber

fort / rs 2,000 for two / 7.5/10

northwest frontier cuisine in a heritage setting. khyber has been in fort since 1958 and the murals on the walls are worth the visit alone. the raan (whole leg of lamb) is the signature and it feeds 3-4 people.

the food is good but the prices have crept up. for the same money, you could eat at trishna or mahesh. khyber coasts on its legacy a bit, but the raan and the dal bukhara are still excellent.

what to order: raan (order 24 hours ahead), dal bukhara, tandoori jheenga, roomali roti verdict: iconic setting, solid food. the raan is a must-try experience.

20. gajalee

vile parle / rs 1,000 for two / 7.5/10

seafood in vile parle that locals swear by. gajalee has been around since the 1990s and the malvani preparations are authentic. the bombil fry (bombay duck) is crispy and light. the prawn koliwada is excellent.

not as famous as trishna or mahesh, but arguably more authentic. the vile parle location is the original - the bkc and other branches don’t quite match up.

what to order: bombil fry, prawn koliwada, surmai tawa fry, solkadhi verdict: best neighborhood seafood restaurant in mumbai. worth the trek to vile parle.

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the rest of the list

21. the bombay canteen

lower parel / rs 2,500 for two / 7.5/10

modern indian with a focus on regional cuisine. the bombay canteen was revolutionary when it opened. the concept of taking street food and regional recipes and presenting them in a contemporary setting was fresh. now it feels slightly formulaic.

the cocktails are still excellent. the keema pao is the best dish. but the prices have gone up and the portions have stayed small. it’s become more of a drinks destination than a food destination.

what to order: keema pao, cocktails, seasonal specials verdict: great drinks, good food. not as exciting as it used to be.

22. suzette

bandra / rs 1,200 for two / 7.5/10

french crepes in bandra. suzette does savory and sweet crepes that are genuinely close to what you’d get in paris. the ham and gruyere crepe is simple perfection. the nutella crepe is indulgent without being sickly.

small space. always a queue on weekends. covered in my brunch guide because the brunch game here is strong.

what to order: ham and gruyere crepe, nutella banana crepe, french onion soup, cafe latte verdict: best crepes in mumbai. small, charming, worth the wait.

23. peshawri

itc maratha, andheri / rs 4,000 for two / 7.5/10

northwest frontier cuisine inside a 5-star hotel. peshawri’s dal bukhara (slow-cooked black dal) is so famous it has its own wikipedia page. the sikandari raan and the tandoori prawns are excellent.

the experience is premium. you eat with your hands (no cutlery, by design). the food is cooked in a traditional tandoor. the service is impeccable.

but rs 4,000 for two is steep. the menu is limited. you’re paying for the brand and the ritual as much as the food. worth it once.

what to order: dal bukhara, sikandari raan, tandoori prawns, naan verdict: legendary hotel restaurant. go once for the experience. the dal bukhara haunts your dreams.

24. salt water cafe

bandra / rs 2,000 for two / 7/10

bandra’s reliable continental option. salt water does pasta, risotto, steaks, and cocktails in a dimly-lit space that’s been a date-night favorite for years. nothing revolutionary but consistently competent.

the truffle pasta is good. the cocktails are decent. it’s the safe choice when you want a nice dinner without thinking too hard.

what to order: truffle pasta, lamb chops, cocktails verdict: reliable, not remarkable. the restaurant equivalent of a dependable friend.

25. hakkasan

bandra / rs 4,000 for two / 7/10

the global chinese chain in bandra. hakkasan’s food is polished, the interiors are gorgeous (that wooden lattice screen), and the dim sum is technically excellent. the peking duck is the showstopper.

but at rs 4,000 for two, you’re paying luxury hotel prices for food that yauatcha does equally well (and more authentically). hakkasan is more about the scene than the cuisine.

what to order: peking duck, dim sum platter, hakka noodles, lychee martini verdict: beautiful restaurant, good food, but yauatcha is better value for similar quality.

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quick pick: what are you looking for?

• blow-the-budget fine dining? masala library (bkc) or indian accent (oberoi)
• iconic mumbai experience? britannia & co (ballard estate) or leopold (colaba)
• best seafood? trishna (kala ghoda, butter garlic crab)
• late-night food? bademiya (colaba, until 2am)
• budget meal? ram ashray (matunga, rs 200 for two)
• date night? wasabi by morimoto (oberoi) or the clearing house (ballard estate)
• casual bandra dinner? bastian or pali village cafe
• mughlai craving? persian darbar (bhendi bazaar)
• dim sum? yauatcha (bkc)
• brunch? check my brunch guide

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more on rahul.biz

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