Best Street Food in Mumbai: A Food Lover’s Guide to Must-Try Dishes

Mumbai, the city that never sleeps, is also a paradise for food lovers. The vibrant streets of Mumbai are lined with food stalls serving some of the most delicious and diverse dishes. From spicy vada pav to mouth-watering pav bhaji, every corner of the city offers something delectable. If you’re a street food enthusiast, here’s a comprehensive guide to the best street food in Mumbai that you must try.

1. Vada Pav: The Iconic Mumbai Snack

Dubbed as the ‘Indian Burger,’ vada pav is a must-try street food in Mumbai. This delicious snack consists of a deep-fried potato patty (vada) sandwiched between a soft pav (bread roll) and is typically served with spicy chutneys and fried green chilies. Anand Vada Pav near CST Station and Ashok Vada Pav in Dadar are some of the best places to relish this iconic dish.

2. Pav Bhaji: A Burst of Flavors

A spicy and buttery delight, pav bhaji is a thick vegetable curry served with buttered pav. The dish is prepared with mashed vegetables cooked in a special blend of spices and topped with generous amounts of butter. To taste the best pav bhaji in Mumbai, head to Sardar Pav Bhaji at Tardeo or Cannon Pav Bhaji near CST.

3. Bhel Puri and Sev Puri: Mumbai’s Favorite Chaats

Mumbai’s street food is incomplete without chaat, and bhel puri and sev puri are the reigning favorites. Bhel puri is a mix of puffed rice, sev, chopped onions, tomatoes, tangy tamarind chutney, and a hint of lime, making it a perfect snack for a quick bite. Sev puri, on the other hand, is a crispy delight topped with spiced potatoes, chutneys, and sev. Juhu Beach and Chowpatty are famous spots for these savory delights.

4. Misal Pav: A Spicy Maharashtrian Treat

For those who love spicy food, misal pav is a must-try. This dish consists of a spicy curry made with sprouted lentils, topped with crunchy farsan (fried snacks), and served with soft pav. The best places to try misal pav in Mumbai include Aaswad in Dadar and Mamledar Misal in Thane.

5. Kheema Pav: A Meat Lover’s Delight

A treat for non-vegetarians, kheema pav is a delicious dish made of minced mutton cooked in aromatic spices and served with soft pav. This dish is best enjoyed in Irani cafes like Olympia Coffee House near Colaba and Noor Mohammadi Hotel in Bhendi Bazaar.

6. Bombay Sandwich: A Unique Twist to Sandwiches

The Bombay sandwich is a perfect blend of fresh vegetables like cucumbers, potatoes, tomatoes, and beetroots, layered between slices of buttered bread and spiced with green chutney. Some versions include a layer of melted cheese for extra indulgence. Try this street-side delight at Raju Sandwich in Churchgate or the stalls near Mithibai College.

7. Ragda Pattice: A Savory Delight

A combination of soft potato patties (pattice) and white peas curry (ragda), this dish is a beloved Mumbai street food. It is topped with onions, chutneys, and sev for an added crunch. Kailash Parbat in Colaba and the stalls at Chowpatty serve some of the best ragda pattice in the city.

8. Dabeli: The Gujarati Influence

Originating from Gujarat but embraced by Mumbai’s street food culture, dabeli is a spicy, tangy, and sweet snack made with a spiced potato filling inside a pav, garnished with pomegranate seeds, sev, and peanuts. The best places to try dabeli are near Kandivali and Borivali.

9. Frankie: Mumbai’s Favorite Wrap

Mumbai’s Frankie takes inspiration from Lebanese rolls. A soft flatbread wraps around a spicy filling of chicken, mutton, paneer, or vegetables, along with onions and chutneys. Tibb’s Frankie is one of the most famous places serving this delicious street food.

10. Kulfi and Falooda: A Sweet Ending

No street food experience in Mumbai is complete without indulging in kulfi or falooda. Kulfi is a dense, creamy frozen dessert available in flavors like malai, pistachio, and mango. Falooda, on the other hand, is a rose-flavored milk-based dessert with vermicelli and basil seeds. Visit Badshah near CST or K. Rustom’s at Churchgate for the best kulfi and falooda in town.

Final Thoughts

Mumbai’s street food is a perfect blend of flavors, aromas, and textures that reflect the city’s diverse culture. Whether you’re craving spicy, sweet, or tangy dishes, the city’s food stalls and vendors have something to satisfy every taste bud. From the iconic Vada Pav and Pav Bhaji to the tangy Pani Puri and Bombay Sandwich, every bite tells a story of Mumbai’s rich culinary heritage.

For travelers flying Atlanta to Mumbai, indulging in these street foods is a must to experience the city like a local. If you love documenting your foodie adventures, don’t forget to share them in your travel diary blogs because Mumbai’s street food is an experience worth remembering and reliving.