In one of his stand-up videos, comedian Kenny Sebastian explained how ‘Dosas’ weirdly makes us all so patient. It’s rare to see people fight around a dosa corner. Making a perfectly round, crack-free dosa is an art, and you do not mind waiting for the same, for you know it will be worth it. Dosa is an Indian crepe, that has many avatars in the subcontinent itself. Whether you like your dosas soft and crunchy, with potato masala or cheese and schezwan sauce, the city of Mumbai has the answer to all of your dosa cravings. There is no dearth of South Indian eateries in the city, however, dosa is a dish that you can even easily find in a café, deli or a dhaba too. Often served with sambar or chutney, Dosa is one of the favourite breakfast dishes of the city, which is why many dosa corners start as early as eight in the morning. Here’s our list of our favourite dosa places in the city of dreams.
Places included:
- Café Madras
- Ram Ashraye
- Mani’s Lunch Home
- Thangabali
- Dakshinayan
- Arya Bhavan
Café Madras
Matunga East is renowned for its delicious South Indian fare. Think: endless dosas, vadas, uttapams and sambar that is actually spicy and not sweet as it is in the rest of the city. Café Madras is an eatery that is close to 75 years old, and continues to lure customers new and old. The modestly-priced dosas of this humble stall guarantee a wholesome and authentic breakfast. The range is pretty eclectic too. Sada dosa, paper dosa, masala dosa, Mysore masala dosa to onion rava dosa, you would be spoilt for options here.
Where: 38 B, Circle House, King's Circle, Near Maheshwari Udyan, Matunga East, Mumbai
Cost For 2: INR 400
Hotel Ram Ashraye
Another iconic South Indian restaurant from Matunga East. Hotel Ram Ashraya, located near the bustling flower market of Matunga starts clocking in loyal patrons from as early as six or seven in the morning. The seating may remind you of the simpler times, but its Neer Dosa, Ulundu Dosa, Mysore Masala and Tomato Dosa will ensure that you keep coming back here. They also offer the Jain Masala Dosa for those who refrain from onion and garlic altogether.
Where: Kabutar Khana, Shreeji Sadan, 24, Bhandarkar Rd, opposite Matunga, Matunga (C.R.), Matunga, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400019
Cost For Two: INR 300
Mani’s Lunch Home
Situated in the heart of Chembur, Mani’s Lunch home is a cosy eatery serving up some of the best Ghee Dosas. These are dosas that are cooked in ghee, needless to say, the masala is also prepared in ghee, and the result is a melt-in-mouth dosa that will stay with you long after you leave the place. Other must-haves here are butter masala dosa, Mysore dosa, and cheese-onion dosa.
Where: Shop 1 & 2, Ground Floor, Komal Villa, Co-Op Premises Society Ltd, Road 2, Chembur, Mumbai
Cost For Two: INR 300
Thangabali
A fairly new restaurant that has already caused quite a stir in the city. Thangabali, offers a range of Dosas that can please people of all age groups. And that’s not all, they also have some delish ones in non-veg variety. For instance, the Andhra chicken dosa.The crispy, loaded uttapams and vadas are also worth the hype here.
Where: Shop No 3,4,5,Ground Floor,Manmohan Bhavan, Takandas Kataria Marg, Mahim West, Mahim, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400016
Cost For Two: INR 1200
Dakshinayan
A favourite haunt among the people of Juhu. Dakshinayan has everything that makes for a perfect ‘breakfast place’, a diverse menu and happy and peppy ambience. It’s amazing how they can create such an impression with a plain dosa, however, the Mysore Masala Dosa and the Onion Rawa Dosa are just as delectable.
Where: Near Hare Krishna Temple, Gandhigram Road, Juhu, Mumbai
Cost For Two: INR 600
Arya Bhavan
Get your dosa cravings fixed at this Matunga East favourite. From palak dosa to podi dosa to Moong dal dosa, at Arya Bhawan, you find a variety that would keep pulling you back. The quality has not deteriorated a bit in all these years. The spicy hot Sambar is a comfort food in itself.
Where: Shop No. 9 & 10, Bhanujyoti Building Opposite Matunga Central Railway Station, Lakhamsi Napoo Rd, Matunga, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400019
Cost For Two: INR 400