Haleem is a popular and flavorful dish in Mumbai, India. This slow-cooked delicacy is made with a combination of wheat, barley, lentils, and a variety of meats, such as chicken, mutton, or beef. It is cooked to a thick, porridge-like consistency and is a favorite during the holy month of Ramadan, when it is traditionally consumed as a part of Iftar meals.
In Mumbai, you can find some of the best haleem at the following places:
The Bohri Kitchen
Many of us aren’t familiar with Bohri cuisine. This restaurant is the best place to start exploring Bohri cuisine. With their roots in Yemen, the Bohra community excels at many Mughlai dishes. We came to this place upon a friend’s recommendation and absolutely love the menu. We ordered the Chicken Kashmiri and followed it up with Mutton Dum Biryani. Their haleem is good too and is definitely worth trying.
Cuisine: Mughlai, North Indian
Types offered: Chicken and Mutton Shami Kebabs, Cutlets, Tikkas, Rolls, Rotis.
Location: Shop 15, Plot 89/91, Ground Floor, Husain Kasam Dada Building, Near Hancock Bridge, Shivdas Champsi Marg, Mazgaon, Mumbai 402401.
Timing: 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Closed on Mondays
Cost for two: Rs 700
Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar
One of Mumbai’s oldest restaurants with multiple branches, this place serves amazing Mughlai food. The outlet we visietd is located in a prime location in South Mumbai, and offered quick and clean service. We ordered the Chicken Tikka Biryani and Dabba Gosht. Then came the Haleem, which was rich and flavorful. We also dug into a Barbeque Platter and then indulged in the Mutton Nihari and Prawns Biryani. Filled to the brim, and no regrets whatsoever. We wholeheartedly recommend this place.
Cuisine: North Indian, Mughlai, Arabic
Types offered: Niharis, Tikkas, Kebabs, Chicken Korma, Murg Masallam
Location: Shop No. 94, Big Building, 3rd Marine Street, Opposite Metro Gol Masjid, 1st Bhatwadi, Marine Lines, Mumbai 400002
Timing: 12:00 P.M. to 12:00 A.M., Monday to Sunday
Cost for two: Rs 1200
Behrouz Biryani
This popular Biryani outlet serves delicious food that mostly centers around Biryanis and Kebabs. Aside from their regular fare, which is Biryani, they also serve delectable Haleem, which is the slow-cooked, thick, and creamy porridge that is a Ramadan favorite and a great accompaniment to a potential Biryani.
Cuisine: Hyderabadi, Lucknowi
Types offered: Harabhara Kebab, Murgh Kofta, Murgh Afghani Tikka Biryani, Do Gosht Ki Biryani
Location: Shop 10, Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Road, near Premier Cinema, Parel East, Mumbai 400012
Timing: 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 A.M., Monday to Sunday
Cost for two: Rs 1000
The Bombay Compound
With an interesting menu featuring dishes like Roasted Fish, Chettinad Prawns, Prawn Malai Curry and Bhori Chicken Curry. We also found that they prepare Haleem in the Ramadan season. We ordered a Gutti Aloo Roll and Khasi Pork Pao for starters. Then we moved on to Roasted Himalayan Trout and Naan. We loved the food and the service and highly recommend this place.
Cuisine: Modern Indian.
Types offered: Andhra Bheja Fry, Mushroom Tahri, Millet Upma, and Pork Belly Thukpa
Location: Unit-1, Process House, S.B. Road, Kamala Mills, Near Radio Mirchi Office Lower, Parel, Mumbai 400013
Timing: 12:00 P.M. to 1:30 A.M. , Monday to Sunday
Cost for two: Rs 1700
Persia Darbar
Comfortable interiors that exude Persian influences? Yes please. Serving delicious food at reasonable prices, Persia Darbar’s standout dishes when we visited were the Kalimiri Tangdi, Chicken Lazeez, and Afghani Murgh Tikka, which were exceptional in taste and texture. They also offer Haleem during Ramadan, which is a crowd favorite thanks to its rich and creamy taste and texture. We enjoyed the food and the ambience here.
Cuisine: Mughlai, North Indian
Types offered: Kalimiri Tangdi, Afghani Murgh Tikka, Chicken Lazeez, Vegetable Spring Roll, Kunafa, Chicken Kalimiri
Location: Lily Tower, Shop No - 6/7, Swami Vivekananda Road, next to Dewan Center, Jogeshwari West, Mumbai 400102
Timing: 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 A.M., Monday to Sunday
Cost for two: Rs 1200
Cafe Irani Chaii
With an old charm evocative of colonial times, this place, with its wooden interiors and cozy ambience, is bound to please any customer. While they specialize in Parsi food, the food from other cuisines is great as well. We started with a Ginger Soda and Bun Maska Jam. Fluffy buns washed down with refreshing soda, what’s not to like? Then we had the Mutton Keema pav and Chicken Farcha. Bothtasted good and we were satisfied with the portions. The prices are somewhat high, but the food is great, and their haleem is a must try as well.
Cuisine: Street Food and Parsi
Types offered: Phantom Cigarettes, Irani Chaii, Bun Maska Jam, Ginger Soda, Mutton Kheema Pav, Kheema Ghotala
Location: Rosary Building, Mia Mohd. Chhotani Road, Geeta Nagar, Mahim West, Mahim, Mumbai 400016
Timing: 8:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M., Monday to Sunday
Cost for two: Rs 400
Good Luck Restaurant
One of Mumbai’s oldest restaurants known for its North Indian food, this place is well known for its Haleem also. We had the Kheema pao and chicken cutlets followed by Haleem. Great texture and taste greeted our palates. It seems the overnight slow cooking with spices and condiments is a perfect recipe for Nirvana. We enjoyed the food here and recommend you head out to this place as well.
Cuisine: North Indian
Types offered: Bun Maska Chai, Kheema Fry, Maska Pav, Haleem, Kheema Pao, Chicken Cutlets
Location: Mehboob Khan Chowk, 106, Hill Road, Mount Mary, Bandra West, Mumbai 400050
Timing: 10:30 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., Monday to Sunday
Cost for two: Rs 650
Gulshan-E-Iran
This place was established in 1952 and is loved by generations of Mumbaikars for its simple, tasty food. The restaurant is an inherent part of Mumbai's culture and history, serving a range of dishes such as keema, roti, chicken taronest, mutton buna, fruit salad, Arabian dishes, and biryani. We had the Fruit Salad and two cups of tea and then ordered the Haleem which did not disappoint. Decent service and affordable food are the highlights of this highly recommended place.
Cuisine: North Indian, Mughlai
Types offered: Chicken Taronest, Shahi Tukda, Firni, Seekh Kebabs, Mughlai Food, Keema
Location: 15, Musafir Khana Road, Near Crawford Market, Mumbai 400001
Timing: 5:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M., Monday to Sunday
Cost for two: Rs 350
Noor Mohammadi Hotel & Restaurant
Noor Mohammadi Hotel, located in Mumbai, is a historic and well-established restaurant that has been serving delicious food for almost a century. Known for its mouth-watering and traditional dishes, the hotel is particularly famous for its mutton haleem, gosht nihari, and the signature chicken dish, Sanju Baba. While the menu may not be very lavish, it covers a good range of options for a quick and sumptuous meal. They also offer Haleem in the Ramadan period, which is quite famous among Mumbaikars.
Cuisine: Mughlai and North Indian
Types offered: Chicken Hakimi, Chicken Sanjubaba, Shaami Kebab, Mutton Haleem, Nali Nihari, Yakhni Pulao
Location: 181-183 I R Road, Abdul Hakim, Noor Mohammadi Chowk, Bhendi Bazaar, Mumbai 400003
Timing: 6:30 A.M. to 1:15 A.M., Monday to Sunday
Cost for two: Rs 350
Ahmed Bhai’s Bry And Dry
Ahmed Bhai's Bry and Dry is a popular eatery located in Mumbai, known for its delicious and affordable biryanis, kebabs, and other Indian and Mughlai dishes. The restaurant has earned a loyal customer base thanks to its mouth-watering food, generous portions, and reasonable prices. Some of the must-try dishes at Ahmed Bhai's Bry and Dry include their Chicken Biryani, Mutton Biryani, Reshmi Kebab, and Chicken Tikka. The eatery is also known for its signature "bry and dry" dishes, which are essentially dry versions of their flavorful biryanis, perfect for those who prefer less gravy in their meals. The Haleem here is quite famous, with the locals recommending it during the Ramadan season.
Cuisine: North Indian and Mughlai
Types offered: Mutton Barra, Lahori Chicken, Kunafa, Authentic Mughlai Food, Bheja Fry, Haleem
Location: Shop No. 32, Krishnakamal CHS LTD Plot No. 111, Sector 21, Nerul, Navi Mumbai 400706
Timing: 12:00 P.M. to 12:00 A.M., Monday to Sunday
Cost for two: Rs 1200
Mumbai offers a delightful range of options for haleem lovers with its rich culinary tradition and diverse food culture. The popular restaurants we've listed here are renowned for their mouth-watering haleem, each having its own unique flavors and preparation styles. While haleem is traditionally consumed during Ramadan, these establishments cater to the dish's growing popularity by offering it year-round, albeit with limited availability. So, whether you're a local or a tourist, make sure to indulge in this delicious and hearty dish at these iconic Mumbai eateries and experience the authentic taste of haleem.