A Journey that takes you from Fine Dining Spots to Some of Bombay’s Hidden, Less Recognized ones.
To truly enjoy a city full of bustle like Mumbai, you have to discover the best spots to eat but that becomes a strenuous task. Not only the city is vast but openings are becoming relentless with eateries of all kinds and proffering cuisines from all around. Although it’s known that sometimes some of the best spots aren’t always built on buzz regardless of it being a city like Mumbai.
Chef Namha Dixit takes us on a food journey from her time spent in Mumbai while working at some of the best restaurants in India and Asia (Masque and Americano). A chef at a Two Michelin star restaurant in San Fransisco, recognized by country’s biggest food writer and Asia’s best restaurant chairperson Rashmi Uday Singh for her business venture, she is much more than what goes behind the kitchen. Apart from cooking, she spends most of her time exploring restaurants and learning about the cuisine of the city. While Namha resided and worked essentially in South Mumbai, colloquially known as SoBo, she naturally scouted out some special eateries in the south precinct some of which are less well known.
She recently tried out some newly opened spots in “Bombay” so she perpetually calls it and sheds light on where to stop by for a meal. For someone who has dined around some the best restaurant including top Michelin stars in the United States such as the esteemed The French Laundry, she weighs on the fact that “good food is often is just simple food and can be found even in the most humble places.”
Bombay’s food scene is as diverse as its people coming in from across the country to hustle. It might be the city of dreams but its most definitely a paradise for food lovers not only connoisseurs, critics and chefs. Since there is no gatekeeping here, this little guide has some fun eateries apart from the regular Bombay staples.
1.) Britannia: No trip to Bombay is complete without stopping by at this hole in a wall spot in Fort for Parsi food. Must order: Berry Pulao, Mutton Cutlet, Dhansak with their Raspberry For dessert: Caramel Custard.
2.) Ling’s Pavillion: Been there over 70 years serving simple Cantonese food in the heart of Apollo Bandar serving Namha’s favorites like Nanking fried prawns, Mongolian beef, Spare ribs and Stuffed crab. Vegetarian: Ling’s veg stew pot, Chop suey.
3.) Yazdani Bakery: A true Bombay gem located in Fort established in 1953 is an Iranian bakery serving some of the best “Maska buns” in the city and their famous apple pie.
4.) Snow Flake: A tiny hidden Goan restaurant in South Bombay (Kalbadevi) with simple and honest food found in almost every Goan Must try: Fish cutlet, Sorpotel, Ambotik fish curry and sausage pulao. It is located at 18, Ribeiro Building, 1st Dhobi Talao Lane.
5.) Bagdadi: In Apollo Bandar, in is another old hidden eatery behind the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Must try: Mutton Paya, Mutton Korma, Bheja Masala, Mutton Biryani.
6.) New Martin Hotel: A SoBo staple has some special dishes that cannot go unnoticed: Prawn Pulao, Steak Onion and Chips and their Goan sausage chili fry.
Chef Namha also made a pit stop to some fairly new opened spaces in Mumbai owned by some of the best chefs in the country
1.) Papa’s: The newly opened dining spot by some of country’s most celebrated, Chef Hussain Shahzad, is now known for being one of the most eccentric eateries in The 12-seater restaurant offers a tasting menu to its diners so getting a reservation might not exactly a cake walk given its exclusivity but a definite must for any food connoisseur. Highlight dishes:
Lamb Wellington, Honey and fig toast with Blue cheese and Bugs Bunny.
2.) Veronica’s: This Deli, also owned by Chef Hussain, has become Bandra’s latest sandwich Go to order: The legendary Pastrami sandwich, Smash Burger and Hangover Tacos with bacon rashers.
3.) Otra: Located in Kala Ghoda, this one is Chef Alex Sanchez’s second baby and is based out of a Contemporary Latin American menu as an ode to his heritage. To order: Duck Mole, Masa Gnocchi ‘Chochoyotes’, Hamachi Tostada, Al pastor tacos and Pork Belly Pernil and Red snapper aguachille. Dessert: Pina colada sundae and Banana flan.
Some restaurants are known to be Mumbai’s as well as India’s most relished spots and truly lived up to the hype and Chef Namha never truly goes without paying a visit.
1.) Americano: Without bias, this neighborhood restaurant in Kala Ghoda is a Mumbai favorite with a menu you can’t go wrong with. She says you can’t leave without ordering: Truff puffs, Corn Ribs, Chicken wings for small All pizzas are top notch but the best ones are the Pepperoni, Maui Wowie, Classic Marghertia and the truffle mushroom. The Dry aged tenderloin steak is some of her go to along with pastas like Cacio E Pepe, Crab Orzo and the Duck ravioli. “If you’re not a sweet tooth, force yourself to have the tiramisu” she says, hands down the best in the city.
2.) Masque: Masque restaurant nestled in Kamala mills holds a special place as it was her first taste into the fine dining world at the start of her career. The restaurant offers a tasting menu and an experience truly not to be missed when in Bombay along with offering some of the best cocktails in the country.
3.) Street: This restaurant was almost a weekly stop for Chef Namha even if it was just baked items or a cup of coffee. The stresses on the visiting the ‘OG’ branch behind the Taj Mahal Palace in Colaba. Must order: Buff rigatoni, Lobster roll, Corn curd and Cruffin (Vanilla custard or Cherry Mascarpone)
4.) Trishna: A wonderland for seafood lovers is Trishna, located in Kala Ghoda neighborhood. Must try: Butter Garlic crab (best in town she claims), Golden fried Bombil, Crab gassi and Hyderabadi Pomfret
A special list just for Kebabs had to be mentioned for all kebab and meat lovers.
1.) Nawab’s Seekh corner (Kurla): This place is known for its Seekh kebabs and paratha with a menu that only has 5 Its open late night with just Chicken and B**f kebabs to serve, fairly crowded with creaking fans and a true gem for all kebab fiends.
2.) Khyber : A well known spot holding an impressive array of kebabs, but the speciality has definitely got to be their melt-in-the-mouth Galouti kebabs and Tandoori chicken.
3.) Sodabottle Openerwala: Although it is a famous Parsi spot, its chicken seekh kebabs are some of the best in Mumbai.
4.) Kebab Gunj: Located in behind radio Club in Colaba, Kebab Gunj has some serious Awadhi dishes on the menu. Must try: Gulouti kebabs, tikka rolls and their kebab platter.
