Mumbai, a city that never sleeps, thrives on chaos, creativity, and chai. But beneath its frenetic energy lies a gourmet paradise where chefs are redefining India’s culinary identity. Gone are the days when dining out meant settling for butter chicken and naan. Today, Mumbai’s restaurant scene is a heady mix of nostalgia, innovation, and unapologetic luxury, fuelled by a rising middle class eager to splurge on experiences as much as meals. Let’s take a fork-first dive into the city’s most iconic (and Instagram-worthy) eateries, where every bite tells a story.
1. The Table: Where Farm-to-Table Gets a Global Passport
Cuisine: Global with an Indian soul
MVP: Seasonal menus crafted by chef Will Aghajanian
Tucked in the heart of South Bombay at Colaba, The Table isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a philosophy. Chef Aghajanian’s menu reads like a love letter to local farmers and fishermen, with ingredients sourced from Maharashtra’s hinterlands (read Alibaug), while doling out the globally-inspired menus. The menu serves food inspired by cuisines like American, French, Japanese, and Thai. Try the Sobo Salad, Blackened Spiced Norwegian Salmon, Hand Made Goat Cheese Cavatelli, or Red Wine Risotto, dishes that mash continents without losing their roots. The place is famous for its desserts like Tiramisu Alla Tradizionale And Mascarpone Lavender Crème Brûlèe. The drinks and cocktail menu is expansive and interesting. Carefully curated by Venkatesh Nambiar, there are over 100 wine brands to choose from, along with 14 signature cocktails to accompany your meal. The industrial-chic decor and open kitchen make it a magnet for Mumbai’s elite, proving that sustainability can be sexy.
2. Dum Pukht at ITC Maratha: Royalty on a Plate
Cuisine: Awadhi
MVP: The legendary Dum Pukht Biryani
At ITC Maratha, Dum Pukht revives 200-year-old recipes from Lucknow’s royal kitchens. The biryani, slow-cooked in sealed dough pots, is a fragrant masterpiece. Pair it with Dal Dum Pukht, Tikkas or Kakori Kebabs so tender that they melt like poetry. Finish your meal with some delicious lakhnawi desserts like Zauk e Shahi, Shahed e Jam, Phirni or Shahi Tukdaa. This isn’t just food; it’s edible history served through the finest dining. Perfect for when you want to dine like a nawab (budget permitting).
3. Bastian at Bandra: Seafood, Champagne, and Celeb-Spotting
Cuisine: Coastal
MVP: Truffle Bruschetta and Prawn and Chicken Potsticker
Shilpa Shetty’s Bastian in Bandra is where Mumbai’s glitterati come to see and be seen. The menu is a seafood lover’s fantasy; think buttery lobsters, prawns, and crabs flown in daily. The vibe? Think New York loft meets beach shack.
Pro tip: Book weeks in advance, and keep your phone charged for paparazzi-worthy dessert shots (Lotus Kunafa, we’re looking at you).
4. Masque: India’s Answer to Noma
Cuisine: Progressive Indian
MVP: 10-course tasting menus with foraged ingredients
Masque in Mahalaxmi isn’t a meal; it’s a pilgrimage. Chef Varun Totlani’s menu is a wild ride through India’s forgotten flavours, think Kashmore Morel Mushrooms or Bengal’s Nolen Gur Souffle for dessert. The industrial space doubles as an art gallery, making it a haunt for Mumbai’s avant-garde crowd. At ₹5,000+ per head, it’s pricey but proof that Indian cuisine can rival global fine dining.
5. Trishna: The OG Coastal Gem
Cuisine: Indian Coastal
MVP: Variety of Pomfret dishes
Before Mumbai’s food scene went hipster, there was Trishna, patiently serving from the bylanes of Kala Ghoda. This Fort institution has been serving melt-in-your-mouth crab since 1930. The no-frills setting lets the food shine: Masala Pomfret, Prawn Masala, and crab so fresh you’ll lick your fingers. A reminder that sometimes, the classics just can’t be beat.
6. Wasabi by Morimoto: Sushi with a Side of Stardom
Cuisine: Japanese
MVP: Omakase menu curated by Iron Chef Morimoto
Inside the Taj Mahal Palace, Wasabi is where Mumbai’s power brokers close deals over Black Cod Miso and Toro and Tuna Tartare. The sushi is art, each piece is sliced with samurai precision. The minimalist decor lets the food (and the Harbour Bridge views) take centre stage. Yes, it’s ₹10,000-for-two expensive, but the wasabi here isn’t just green paste; it’s freshly grated as it should be.
7. The Bombay Canteen: Nostalgia Reinvented
Cuisine: Modern Indian
MVP: Begums Baked Brie and Gutti Aloo Roast
Yash Bhanage’s brainchild and Chef Hussain Shehzad’s menu is a playful twist on Indian comfort food. The Malabar Fish Curry pays homage to the authentic flavours of the southern region, while Coffee Rasgulla Sundae is a clever twist of India’s beloved dessert with salted caramel ice cream topped with Mascarpone cheese. The vibe is millennial-friendly; think exposed bricks, retro Bollywood posters, and cocktails named after ’90s songs. A must-visit for those who want their ghar ka khaana with a side of irony.
8. O Pedro: Goan-Portuguese Vibes Only
Cuisine: Goan
MVP: Panji Green Watana Rassa and Coconut Panna Cotta
O Pedro in BKC is where Goa’s susegad spirit meets Mumbai’s hustle. The Chorizo Flatbread and Valpoi Mutton Curry are soulful, while Pedro’s Favourite cocktails pack a punch. The pastel-hued interiors and vinyl records make it feel like a tropical house party. Perfect for when you need a vacation without leaving the city.
9. Ekaa: The Future of Indian Food
Cuisine: Experimental
MVP: Brown Butter Soy Mash, Sesame Cucumber, Aioli and Spring Chicken
Ekaa in Fort is where tradition collides with molecular gastronomy. Chef Niyati Rao’s tasting menus are daring; think Lentil or Mushroom. Located inside Kitab Mahal, a colonial building dating back to the 1890s, this space feels like a secret lab for food nerds with a minimalistic setting. It is not for the faint-hearted but a must for culinary adventurers.
10. Slink & Bardot: Paris in Mumbai
Cuisine: French
MVP: Duck Cabbage and Porcini Truffle Pudding
Tucked in Worli, Slink & Bardot is a love letter to Paris. The chilled Salmon and Chateaubriand Steak are impeccably French, while the drinks menu serves some exciting cocktails, spirits and the finest wines, single malts and liquors. With velvet banquettes and an ambience akin to Edith Piaf on the speakers, it’s a slice of Montmartre in Maximum City.
Why Mumbai’s Dining Scene is More Than Just a Trend
Mumbai’s restaurant boom isn’t accidental. As India’s middle class expands (with disposable incomes up 40% since 2000), dining has shifted from sustenance to spectacle. Restaurants now compete on Instagram aesthetics, chef pedigrees, and "experiential" menus. But beneath the glamour lies a deeper shift: a city learning to celebrate its diversity, one plate at a time. From Trishna’s simplicity to Masque’s audacity, Mumbai’s eateries mirror its people: ambitious, eclectic, and relentlessly inventive.
So, whether you’re a broke college student saving up for Bastian or a tycoon ordering truffle-laced sushi at Wasabi, Mumbai’s tables have a seat for everyone. Just don’t forget to tag your food, after all, in this city, if it isn’t on Instagram, did it even happen?
