Where to eat in Mumbai

[Caterbroon]

Mrs CB and I are off to Mumbai / Bombay for 4 nights. Any recommendations on good places to eat? Should really be Indian cuisine unless there are any stand out foreign offerings. Staying at the Four Seasons but happy to take a taxi.

p.s can anyone explain why the British call it Mumbai yet the locals still seem to refer to it as Bombay?

[tezzer]

I used to go India a lot, on business. Seriously,, the only time i never got the trots was when I survived for a week eating nothing but bananas and drinking bottled water.

Take Immodium. LOTS of it !

[Wolff]

I think its more the older Mumbaikers that still call it Bombay. The younger ones seem to call it Mumbai now.

Can't help really with restaurants as I can't remember any of the names and it was mostly up in Andheri East (northern Mumbai). The best bet would be to ask the concierge at the hotel for recommendations. The hotel restaurants are normally also damn good, albeit a bit more expensive (but if you want a posh meal, can't beat them!)

Don't forget to try the street food though! Quite a few websites with suggestions of the better places if you Google it (such as http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/mar/01/10-b... I loved the Pani Puri, just make sure that the place uses mineral water!

Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and pure mentalness of Mumbai (and of course the shopping.... don't go to where the hotel say as it'll probably be overpriced, go to the markets instead - much more fun!)

[Wolff]

tezzer said:

I used to go India a lot, on business. Seriously,, the only time i never got the trots was when I survived for a week eating nothing but bananas and drinking bottled water.

Take Immodium. LOTS of it !

I got the trots for a day. Was perfectly fine 24 hours later and survived the next two weeks without any issues (eating street food, normal restaurants etc). Was an interesting day in the office though! Don't think the change in climate and spices helps matters either - just be sensible what you eat and start with mild. If you want properly hot, ask for Indian Hot. Be careful!

[Mermaid]

Caterbroon said:

Mrs CB and I are off to Mumbai / Bombay for 4 nights. Any recommendations on good places to eat? Should really be Indian cuisine unless there are any stand out foreign offerings. Staying at the Four Seasons but happy to take a taxi.

Excellent Chinese restaurants, the Concierge will guide you or look up tripadvisor.

[227bhp]

Ask here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Asterix]

Go to a 'Barbecue Nation' while you're there and don't pass up the Cajun potatoes. Awesome food.

I'm in Bangalore often to visit the in-laws and we never miss the opportunity to go there.

There's a few branches in Bombay.

[Crombers]

My favourite restaurant and that of friends is in the ITC Maratha Hotel next to the airport, called Peshawri.

An Indian restaurant with dishes cooked in an open kitchen. The lamb and prawns are to die for!

Not cheap though.

Barbecue Nation is good fun, albeit more Pizza Hut than Michelin star. I was somewhat shocked when all of the staff started singing and dancing right behind my table, for no apparent reason. They do love a dance!

[Jakarta]

It's been about ten years since I was there, but Leopold's was always good for some curry and beers.
Sachin Tendulkar's place was pretty upmarket and nice too.

[Caterbroon]

Thanks for the comments so far. Suitcase of Imodium arranged.

Street food sounds great - we both like pretty hot / spicey food so that should be good. We are also going to Bangalore so will give BBQ Nation a try.

The restaurants in the hotel have a pretty good write up so will definitely eat there at least once.

[Asterix]

Caterbroon said:

p.s can anyone explain why the British call it Mumbai yet the locals still seem to refer to it as Bombay?

From what I can work out the Maharashtrians often like to call it Mumbai, everyone else seem happy to stick with Bombay.

[anonymous-user]

Crombers said:

My favourite restaurant and that of friends is in the ITC Maratha Hotel next to the airport, called Peshawri.

I'd also strongly recommend the Peshawri - consistently voted one of the best in India. For less formal, and cheaper, but still special, due to it's location, try the Masala Kraft at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel.

The hotel itself has plenty of history (including unfortunately the terrorist attacks) and is renowned as one of the best in India, with many famous previous guests, and it's situated right opposite the Gateway of India monument, which you will likely want to see anyway.

And don't forget to have drinks at sunset at the Aer Lounge balcony bar on the 34th floor of your hotel..

[Caterbroon]

had ham said:

I'd also strongly recommend the Peshawri - consistently voted one of the best in India. For less formal, and cheaper, but still special, due to it's location, try the Masala Kraft at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel.

The hotel itself has plenty of history (including unfortunately the terrorist attacks) and is renowned as one of the best in India, with many famous previous guests, and it's situated right opposite the Gateway of India monument, which you will likely want to see anyway.

And don't forget to have drinks at sunset at the Aer Lounge balcony bar on the 34th floor of your hotel..

Good shout about the Taj Mahal - will definitely be at the gateway at some point so that makes sense. Both hotels are about 30 mins taxi away so easlily doable. Aer bar will probably be our spot each evening - looks great for a pre-dinner drink or two.

[anonymous-user]

Caterbroon said:

Both hotels are about 30 mins taxi away so easily doable.

Be sure to give yourself plenty of time - Mumbai is notoriously unpredictable when it comes to road travel times, what they say will take '30 mins' can take an hour, or two, or....

[Kateg28]

had ham said:

Crombers said:

My favourite restaurant and that of friends is in the ITC Maratha Hotel next to the airport, called Peshawri.

I'd also strongly recommend the Peshawri - consistently voted one of the best in India. For less formal, and cheaper, but still special, due to it's location, try the Masala Kraft at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel.

The hotel itself has plenty of history (including unfortunately the terrorist attacks) and is renowned as one of the best in India, with many famous previous guests, and it's situated right opposite the Gateway of India monument, which you will likely want to see anyway.

And don't forget to have drinks at sunset at the Aer Lounge balcony bar on the 34th floor of your hotel..

Another vote for Peshawri. Expensive (relatively) but worth it and you will have to book.

You must get the lamb leg. Never had anything like it elsewhere.

And they often have lovely cars outside, usually see a couple of Lamborghinis / Ferraris there

[goodfella7777]

You won't have trouble finding places serving good food.

I'd say shortlist places depending on which part of the city you're in. Traffic in Bombay is horrendous and the local trains not for the faint hearted. (do check the new BBC series )

[Caterbroon]

goodfella7777 said:

You won't have trouble finding places serving good food.

I'd say shortlist places depending on which part of the city you're in. Traffic in Bombay is horrendous and the local trains not for the faint hearted. (do check the new BBC series )

I've been watching it - fantastic insight into daily life. I think we'll give the train a go - but might leave it until after the rush hour(s)