Mumbai, the city that never sleeps, also never seems to stop eating. Whether it’s the chaos of Chowpatty or the affected calm of what could have been a Michelin-starred restaurant, this city’s food scene is as diverse as its traffic jams. From ₹50 to ₹5 lakh, Mumbai serves a spectrum of meals that cater to every palate, wallet and level of Instagram ambition.
Let’s start with street food — the true star of Mumbai’s culinary galaxy.
Pani puri
and bhel puri vendors are the original food influencers. They’ve been serving tangy, spicy explosions long before fusion cuisine thought it was cool. Sure, what’s changed over the last three decades, is that some people now pair their pani puri with activated charcoal shots, calling it ‘detoxing’, but let’s face it: the real thrill lies in not knowing if the pani puri water is filtered. It’s a gamble we Mumbaikars are willing to take, time and again.
Then there’s the fine dining scene, where Mumbai flexes its cosmopolitan gustatory muscles. Fancy a truffle-laced pav bhaji? Or perhaps, sushi that costs more than your last salary? In these culinary temples, it’s all about plating as art, and a sprinkle of microgreens can apparently justify a bill that makes you want to put a kidney up for sale. But hey, at least the lighting is perfect for selfies.
Over the last 30 years, food trends in Mumbai have changed faster than the local train schedules. Keto biryani? Done. Edible gold vada pav? Why not. But despite the deconstructed quinoa and kale salads, edamame dumplings and avo toasts, Mumbaikars always find their way back to their soul – whether it’s a humble plate of misal pav after a chaotic day, or a cutting chai with maska pav – it’s always the food that fuels the city’s collective hustle.
At its heart, Mumbai isn’t just a city of food trends and glamorous menus; it’s a city where food is a love language. From the chaatwalas who remember your ‘extra meetha’ preference to the chef crafting a 10-course tasting menu, Mumbai’s food scene is a delicious reflection of its essence: ambitious, chaotic, and unapologetically full of flavour.
So, whether you’re slurping pani puri or slicing into gold-leafed desserts, remember: In Mumbai, it’s not just about what you eat, but how much spice you can handle – both in your food and your life.
At its heart, Mumbai isn’t just a city of food trends and glamorous menus, it’s a city where food is a love language.
Pic:
Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor binged on some delicious pani puri during the promotion of their film, Tamasha
Pic:
Vaani Kapoor tucks into some sushi
