Mumbai is known for its street food, but the city also has restaurants that serve traditional Maharashtrian fare. Some of these places have been around for years and specialise in the cuisine of the region. From local favourites like misal pav to refreshing regional drinks like sol kadhi and piyush, these restaurants serve all kinds of Maharashtrian classics. We recommend the five best places for Maharashtrian food in Mumbai:
Gajalee
Known for its seafood, Gajalee has outlets in Vile Parle, Juhu, Andheri East and Lower Parel. Dishes like bombil fry, pomfret butter pepper and stuffed crab are well known but the restaurant is especially revered for its fish thali. In the fish thali, the catch of the day is served with rice, curry, chapatis, sol kadhi, papad and pickle.
Location: Kadamgiri Complex Hanuman Road, next to ICICI Bank, Vile Parle East, Mumbai.
Timings: Daily, 11am-3.30pm; 7-11.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹1,500
Highway Gomantak
Highway Gomantak started off with 30 seats and can now accommodate 120 customers. The meals here are homestyle and include thalis, which come with sol kadhi, bhakri, rice, thecha, curry and a meat dish of choice. The menu displays a whole range of fish that can be fried to suit personal tastes and desserts include ukdiche modak.
Location: 44/2179, Pranav CHSL, Service Rd, near Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, Gandhi Nagar, Bandra East, Mumbai.
Timings: Friday-Wednesday, 11am-3.30pm; 7-10.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹500
Panshikar
Essentially a sweet and snack shop, Panshikar also serves classics like misal pav, vada pav and kanda poha. The garam masala milk is a popular drink, as is the piyush: a smooth and creamy Maharashtrian drink made with yogurt and shrikhand. Piyush is similar to lassi, but slightly heavier and sweeter.
Location: 5, Kadamgiri Complex, Hanuman Road, Mumbai.
Timings: Daily, 8.30am-9pm.
Cost for two: ₹400
Mamledar Misal
Mamledar misal has been around for over five decades and is always thronged with customers. The place serves Maharashtrian snacks like pani puri, ragda pattice and vada pav. The star of the show is, however, the misal that is served with crunchy toppings and hot, buttered pav. Idli and different varieties of dosa are also on the menu.
Location: Shop Number 25, WING-I, opposite D-Mart, Mahavir Nagar, Panchsheel Garden, Siddhivinayak Nagar, Kandivali West, Mumbai.
Timings: Monday-Friday, 9am-9.30pm; Saturday-Sunday 8.45am-10pm.
Cost for two: ₹200
Sujata Uphar Griha
Sujata Uphar Griha is the place to go for homestyle, everyday food. Customers may choose from batata vada, misal pav, pav bhaji and bhakri. The Maharashtrian thali here is worth trying. It comes with rice, rotis, two vegetables, aamti, papad and yogurt. The offerings change with the daily special.
Location: Mapla Mahal, 277, Jagannath Shankar Seth Road, Thakurdwar, Girgaon, Mumbai.
Timings: Monday-Saturday, 8.30am-11pm.
Cost for two: ₹350