Iconic Food Spots in Mumbai
Mumbai would be incomplete without a visit to these iconic restaurants and cafes. Whether it is for a beer and fries, a meal or catching up with friends before and after a movie, patrons like to hang around at these places for their old world charm.
Our shopping sprees after college hours at Colaba Causeway would usually bring us to these spots where we would pitch in our pocket money and enjoy a hearty meal.
We made a list of the top iconic food cafes and restaurants in Mumbai, mostly located in South Mumbai because that’s where it all started. We so badly wanted to include Café Samovar at Jehangir Art Gallery, but unfortunately it has been shut down.
But with those cafes that are still up and running, take note –
1. Leopold Café, Colaba Causeway
Mostly frequented by international tourists, Leopold Cafe first opened its doors way back in the early 1870s. Open from 7:30am onwards until midnight this cafe offers a great mix of cuisines (Indian, Chinese, Italian and Mughlai) and drinks too and is always bustling with energy. If after a Sunday shopping spree you need to recharge yourself, drop in for a Chicken and Cheese Sandwich or a Vegetarian Club Sandwich and douse it with a chilled fresh lime soda and you’re ready to go. They have a non-air-conditioned café on the ground floor and a spruced up fancy up on the first floor; so whatever your mood is for the day, take your pick.
2. Café Mondegar, Colaba Causeway
This used to be a favourite hotspot during our college days because Café Mondegar was the only place and still is to own a classic jukebox. Our usual weekend routine would be to watch a movie at Sterling or Eros cinemas and drop by for fish and chips with friends and listen to timeless classic songs such as ‘Summer of ’69’ by Bryan Adams and ‘You’re in the Army Now’ by StatusQuo. If you’ve not experienced what Café Mondegar is all about, we suggest you make a trip there. Launched in the 1800s, Cafe Mondegar is an iconic landmark that still holding a prime place at Metro House. Get off Churchgate station and take a cab to Monde’s as it is popularly called and have a great time.
3. Café Churchill, Colaba Causeway
Pocket money used to be saved for a sumptuous meal at Café Churchill’s. This tiny café used to have long queues of foreign tourists and South Mumbai college goers (read: us included). This place is a non-vegetarian AND a vegetarian’s delight. From a wide range of salads, pastas, seafood, chicken and lamb, Cafe Churchill boasts of some signature desserts too such as the Irish Coffee Cheese Cake and the Double Chocolate Torte. Our usual drill on an afternoon lunch would be to start the soirée with a Peach Ice Tea that they make incredibly well and then directly digging into chicken, lamb or a pasta dish.
4. Bachelorr’s Marine Lines
Don’t go by the small little outlet on the roadside on Marine Lines. Bachelorr’s is an institution in itself that has been around in the city for years. The line of fancy cars and bikes parked outside especially at nights is proof enough of how popular a hangout place Bachelorr’s is. For days when you’re broke or want to share a single milkshake on a romantic post dinner date, this is an ideal place to be. Bachelorr’s has a lot of popular favourites – so you can try from their signature fusion fruit juices such as the Sweet Lime Water Melon Delight or Kiwi Strawberry Delight. Then try out their Bachelorr’s Special Blends which include cold coffee/ vanilla/ thandai.
5. Gaylord, Churchgate
After completing our post graduation and when we started working at Nariman Point, Gaylord would come to our rescue with their variety of breads, croissants and lunching options. Opt for their famous Kona Coffee that goes best with a choice of bun. We would often pack some nice freshly baked products to take back to work or home. They have a choice of seafood which includes Red Snapper, King Fish, Lobster and Crab. You can also pick from their choice of Biryanis, vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian meals and of course, our favourite in the list Continental. Continental was the ideal choice for working lunches for us. Drop by sometime at Gaylord to dine in style on a lazy afternoon.
Do you think we have missed some? Do share!
