The Ultimate Guide To Mumbai’s Finest Street Food Joints

The cultural diversity of Mumbai can be seen in the culinary richness that the city has to offer in the form of street food. While the city is full of high-end restaurants, quirky cafés, and 5-star hotels, the most important aspect of Mumbai's culinary experiences lies in its street food. People from all economic classes can be seen eating from the roadside food stalls in Mumbai, which serve some of the best local food. Although there are way too many contenders to choose from, we have come up with our own iron-clad list of the top 8 street food serving eateries in Mumbai that every foodie needs to have on their radar.

Vada Pav at Anand Dosa and Vada Pav Stall, Vile Parle West, Mumbai

Vada Pav is among the most loved street food dishes in Mumbai. It was once considered to be nothing more than a poor man’s meal but today even the rich and famous can be seen enjoying Vada Pav at various food stalls in Mumbai. The concept of potato dumplings mashed with garlic, chilies and spices dipped in chickpea flour, fried golden and placed inside a bread bun to this day, remains a constant reason behind the popularity of this classic hit of a delicacy. While everyone has a favorite vada pav destination, Anand Vada Pav has quite a fan following. With its perfectly spicy patty and crispy bun, and not to forget some fierce fried green chilies on the side, it makes it everyone’s favorite.

Must Haves: Schezwan Vada Pav, Butter Vada Pav and Jinny Dosa

Cost for Two: ₹150

Pav Bhaji at Cannon Pav Bhaji, CST Area, Mumbai

Another popular street food in Mumbai is Pav Bhaji. An assortment of mashed vegetables cooked with spices and seasonings is served with buttered pav heated on a pan. The dish originated as a fast lunchtime dish for textile mill workers in Mumbai and was later served at restaurants throughout the city. While the dish can be found in dozens of kiosks and stalls across the city, visit the Cannon Pav Bhaji, next to the CST subway, for a deliciously satiating portion and you will not come back disappointed.

Must Haves: Cheese Pav Bhaji, Cheese Vada Pav and Poha

Cost for Two: ₹100

Kebabs at Sarvi, Byculla, South Mumbai

Having been serving kebabs out of their tiny little corner shop, Sarvi has been around for 90 years serving a variety of delicacies. Oozing of a minty flavor, their meaty kebabs are so soft and succulent that they just melt in your mouth! Sarvi is a delight for those who love non-vegetarian food. If you’re a kebab connoisseur, you’ve likely already been to Sarvi and if not, you really can’t call yourself one. Their seekh kebab is possibly the most tender to be found in the city and practically breaks apart in your hand. Eat it as the pros do: grab a bit of roti and scoop the kebab and crumbs into your mouth.

Must Haves: Chicken Afghani, Shammi Kebab and Seekh Kebab.

Cost for Two: ₹ 550

Misal Pav at Aaswad, Dadar West, Mumbai

Praised for its "wonderful textural colors and contrasts", the Foodie Hub Global Awards held in London awarded the Mumbai Misal Pav as ‘The World’s Tastiest Vegetarian Dish". The final dish is topped with farsan or sev, onions, lemon and coriander. It is served hot with Pav toasted with butter and buttermilk or dahi and papad. It is usually served as a breakfast dish, but can also be had as a snack or a complete meal in itself. While there are variations across the state, it is the recipe from Aaswad restaurant in Dadar West, that won this honor. Aaswad has been an all-rounder in serving Maharashtrian cuisine for years. One of the oldest restaurants in Dadar, this place serves the most flavourful Misal Pav you can treat your taste buds to. Their misal is the perfect balance of freshness, crunch, and spice. 

Must Haves: Pithala Bhakari, Dalimbi Usal, Kothambir Vadi, and Puran Poli Ice Cream

Cost for Two: ₹ 300

Bhel Puri or Sev Puri at Sharmajee’s, Chowpatty, Mumbai

In the mood for a light snack while on the go? Head to the Chowpatty beach and enjoy a plateful of Bhel Puri or Sev Puri with some cold seawater lapping at your feet. Bhel Puri is a savory snack made with puffed rice, vegetables and a tangy tamarind sauce, and has a crunchy texture. Bhel is often identified as the quintessential 'beach snack', strongly associated with the beaches of Mumbai, such as Chowpatty or Juhu. Sev Puri is another chaat essentially made of Puri loaded with diced potatoes, onions, 3 chutneys (tamarind, chili, and garlic), and topped with sev. It is seasoned with raw mango or a hint of lemon and chaat masala. While most vendors lining up on the beach claim to serve the best rendition of these classics, we highly recommend visiting Stall No.- 22 at Sharmajee’s to revive your taste buds.

Must Haves: Dry Fruit Cheese Bhel Puri and Sev Batata Puri

Cost for Two: ₹150

Pani Puri at Kailash Parbat, Colaba, Mumbai

Pani puri is universal love! There are not many people on earth who do not like Pani Puri. And the one you will try in Mumbai will make you fall in love with these tangy flavorful water balls all over again. The most popular street food in Mumbai, you can have Pani Puri at any of the street food stalls across the city. But one of the best places to try Pani Puri is without a doubt, Kailash Parbat. They even offer different types of flavored water like Hing Jeera, Khatta Meetha, etc to go with their Pani Puri. 

Must Haves: Ragda Patty, Falooda Kulfi and Dahi Puri

Cost for Two: ₹400

Mawa Cake at B. Merwan and Co., Grant Road, Mumbai

The cakes, buns and biscuits at this old-school Parsi café have been luring fans in the city since as early as 1914. Their freshly baked Mawa Cakes are undoubtedly delicious and rarely last past noon. This Irani café is a delight for those who want a taste of the old Bombay blended with exquisite cuisine. Their chai perfectly pairs with their baked goodies and is worth a try if you are looking for a dose of caffeine as well.

Must Haves: Mawa Samosa and Bun Maska

Cost for two: ₹100

Bombay Sandwich at Raju Sandwich Stall, Churchgate, Mumbai

We cannot wrap up our Mumbai street food list without talking about Bombay Sandwich. Offering a blend of various ingredients and a burst of flavors, the Bombay sandwich at Raju Sandwich Stall is a must-try when in the city. The Bombay Sandwich is a street food of Mumbai with a combination of most unlikely ingredients that come together and make extraordinary culinary magic. It consists of three buttered white bread slices with slices of beetroot, boiled potatoes, cucumbers, onion rings, and mint chutney between them. One of the most delectable gastronomic marvels in Mumbai!

Must Haves: Chilli Cheese Toast, Cheese Rolls and Masala Cheese Toast

Cost for two: ₹250