We always say, best way to really get to know any city is through it’s food. Gastronomy enjoyed by the locals is often the greatest introduction to the city and finest way to intimate yourself with Mumbai is through it’s fantastic regional food. If you ask around the city for the best eateries, most will point you towards this one restaurant that has been feeding the hungry locals for decades – ‘Mahesh Lunch Home’. It’s almost an institution amongst the locals who are big on regional food. The brand is so popular that it owns several outlets across Mumbai. One of our favorites lies in the Sakinaka region, on Andheri Kurla Road, Andheri East, Sakinaka. It is a great haunt for families and office goers around lunch times.

Menu of Mahesh Lunch Home is quite eclectic. It stretches to accommodate North Indian and Chinese cuisines but it is their vast Mangalorean section that walks away with fame. The seafood preparations made in true Mangalorean fashion is the heart and soul of the menu. Portions are generous, be careful while ordering. This iconic restaurant is known for it’s exceptional variety and superb authentic flavours. Although a full-fledged bar menu is available, try their regional non-alcoholic beverage, sol kadi. This seafood galore starts with appetizers like, pomfret tandoori, barbeque crab, lobster bird eye chilli, prawns teppanyaki, squid koliwada, Bombay duck and calamari sukka. For main course choose between, surmai gassi, lobster ghee roast, crab chettinad, prawns Guntur curry, murg methi khaas, lady fish curry, phanaupkari fish, crab Andhra chilly fry and lobster curry.

There are several vegetarian options too. Pick a neer dosa or roti to mop up your food. Carry the built up further with a plethora of sweets such as, malai kulfi, caramel custard, gulab jamun, brownie with ice-cream, licchi ki tehari and Punjabi rabadi. The restaurant is contemporary in design and looks smart, a wonderful place to grab dinner with family. Soft monochromes are used to infuse some color to the room, which has an edgy vibe. Small aquariums are installed next to the seating area to further the oceangoing theme. Clever use of oceanic art installations around the room puts the theme in perspective. Mahesh Lunch Home is always packed so book a table before you go.