Almost every Mumbaikar will have a favourite Pav Bhaji place. It’s a dish that’s almost synonymous with Mumbai’s street food culture. This iconic dish consists of a spicy vegetable mash served with buttered, toasted bread rolls known as pav. “In my 20s, Pav bhaji was all about the butter. Who serves the ‘butteriest’ pav. Dunk it into bhaji and you skyrocket to taste heaven. The salty taste with the desi masalas is a match made in Bambaiya heaven,” says food writer Phorum Pandya who grew up in Mumbai.
Video Credit: Your Food Lab
Popular notion is that Pav Bhaji originated in Mumbai in the 1850s. It was created as a quick, filling meal for mill workers. The dish was a fusion of leftover vegetables and spices, mashed together and served with pav. Its popularity grew due to its affordability and delicious taste, becoming a staple of Mumbai's street food scene. Over time, Pav Bhaji evolved from a simple, practical meal into a celebrated dish enjoyed by people from all walks of life.
In Mumbai, Pav Bhaji is a sort of equaliser. It can be found at street food stalls, local eateries, and even high-end restaurants, each offering their unique twist on the classic dish. It’s not just a meal but a culinary experience that captures the essence of Mumbai’s dynamic street food culture.
The mish mash almost represents the constant bustle in the city, its need for quick meals that can be whipped up with whatever’s available and saves time and the sheer diversity of its inhabitants. Almost every locality has a popular joint. If you ask someone in Chembur, they’ll probably pick Sadguru as their favourite. In South Bombay Canon Pav Bhaji near CST has its loyal following. We put together a list of the best pav bhajis in Mumbai, based on recommendations by city foodies.
Amar Juice Center, Juhu
Recommend By Phorum Pandya (@flavourflings) and Swarali Kulkarni (@mumbaifoodjunkie)
For many Mumbaikars any party, late-night outings, ends with a drive to Amar Juice Centre in Juhu where one can park their cars and eat using the car bonnets as tables. The cheese pav bhaji here is the best selling dish on the menu. Another hot favourite here is the delicious masala pav that has a semi dry masala filling.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9v1ad59AqTk2hiyL7
Phone Number: +912226247917
Timing: 11:30 am to 11.30 pm
Address: 3, Gulmohar Rd, beside Cooper Hospital, JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle West.
Cost for two: ₹700
Available Cuisines: North Indian
Type: Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Snacks Lunch, Dinner
Achija, Ghatkopar
Recommend By Phorum Pandya (@flavourflings)
Located near Ghatkopar’s famed Khau Galli, Achija has been one the city’s most famed pav bhaji joints. The bhaji is silky, well cooked and perfectly flavoured. Foodies from all over the city throng here and the place, open until the wee hours of the morning, is buzzing with foodies. While the Pav Bhaji is the most popular dish here, the menu is vast and includes North Indian Dishes, Dosa, Desi Chinese, a variety of snacks, milkshakes and juices.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ehfkYDVbBEMBhHr77
Phone Number: 9820902736
Timing: 12 noon to 1 am
Address: Shop 13, Vasant Niwas, Tilak Road Naka, Ghatkopar East.
Cost for two: ₹500
Available Cuisines: North Indian, South Indian
Type: Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Snacks Lunch Dinner
Mohammad Nasir Pav Bhaji & Bhurji Centre, Andheri
Recommend By Phorum Pandya (@flavourflings)
Another Juhu favourite is Mohammad Nasir centre, which is more rustic, and raw and desi spice, with generous use of tikhat. Top it with onions and you have a winner. Apart from their delicious Pav Bhaji the place serves a number of dishes made with egg. The Bhurji is popular and there’s also Boiled Khada Bhurji and Egg Kheema Bhurji.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ehfkYDVbBEMBhHr77
Phone Number: 7777099601
Timing: 7pm to 12 am
Address: Shop 7, Mangal Jyoti Building, Juhu Lane, Gulmohar Road, Vile Parle West, Mumbai
Cost for two: ₹450
Available Cuisines: North Indian, South Indian
Type: Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian
Meals Served: Dinner
Maruti Pav Bhaji, Vile Parle West
Recommended By Krutika Behrawala Behrawala (@Krutika.b)
Swarali Kulkarni (@mumbaifoodjunkie) and Phorum Pandya (@flavourflings)
Not for the weak hearted. The place serves what is known famously as ‘black pav bhaji’ because of the dish’s blackish brown colour and smoky flavour. What's interesting about this version is that it features coconut dry roasted with garam masala that lends an additional nutty flavour. The special masala contains coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cardamom, star anise, dried ginger, red chilies, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves and dried mango powder. If the bhaji is too spicy for you, the owner’s way to deal with the situation is to drop an extra dollop of butter on the dish.
“I have grown up on a generous dose of this pav bhaji. Back when we were kids, we would plonk ourselves on chattai laid out on pavement near the stall and enjoy the bhaji at the corner of Bajaj Road. Now they have an outlet with seating,” says Krutika Behrawala who is also a resident of Vile Parle.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tiCxWNHsesiMMcQV6
Phone Number: 9833639180
Timing: 12 noon to 1 am
Address: Shop 1- 383 ll, Bhagat Building, SV Road, Vile Parle West.
Cost for two: ₹250
Available Cuisines: North Indian
Type: Vegetarian
Meals Served: Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Shreejee’s, Oshiwara
Recommended By Smitha Menon (@smitha.men)
Located in Oshiwara Shreejee’s is a popular vegetarian eatery wiIth a casual, family-friendly vibe. It is known for its wide range of Indian street food and snacks. Their Pav Bhaji is most sought after and the restaurant offers a variety of chaats, dosas, pav bhaji, and other classic dishes, all prepared fresh.
“The place was strategically located between my old gym and where I used to live. Shreejees’ cheese pav bhaji was an ‘earned treat’ for me after a sweaty spin cycle class. The small hills of salty Amul cheese grated over a fiery bhaji. Pure bliss!” says food writer, Smitha Menon.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fx75TE8xJFEcJPVg8
Phone Number: 7700911451
Timing: 9 am to 12 am
Address: 24 & 60, Link Plaza, Link Road Extension, Near Oshiwara Police Station, Oshiwara, Andheri West.
Cost for two: ₹700
Available Cuisines: North Indian, South Indian, Chinese
Type: Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Sardar Pav Bhaji, Tardeo
Recommended Recommended By Smitha Menon (@smitha.men) and @fooodiekashif
Sardar Pav Bhaji in Tardeo, Mumbai, is an iconic eatery renowned for its rich, buttery pav bhaji. Established in the 1960s, it is considered the original Pav Bhaji spot in the city. The bhaji is spicy and generously topped with copious amounts of butter. The place was founded by Sardar Ahmed, who started as a small street vendor selling pav bhaji to mill workers in the area. His unique recipe quickly gained popularity. Over time, Sardar Pav Bhaji became a legendary spot, known for its generous portions and the place is usually on the must-visit food destinations list for Mumbai.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fJyv919iwGYuGPLV7
Phone Number: 7045686762
Timing: 12 noon to 2 am
Address: 166 A, Tardeo Road Junction, Opposite Bus Depot, Tardeo.
Cost for two: ₹500
Available Cuisines: North Indian
Type: Vegetarian
Meals Served: Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Shiv Sagar, Churchgate
Recommended By @headbangereats
Shiv Sagar, located in Churchgate opened in the late 1980s. It started as a modest eatery but quickly gained popularity for its diverse menu that caters to a wide range of tastes. Its strategic location near Churchgate station has made it a convenient dining spot for people exploring South Mumbai. The menu at Shiv Sagar is extensive, offering a variety of dishes that span different cuisines. The restaurant specialises in South Indian, North Indian, and Indo-Chinese dishes, along with a bunch of Mumbai street food classics. Known to be buttery and spicy, the pav bhaji at Shiv Sagar is one of the restaurant's most popular items.
Location:https://maps.app.goo.gl/rjWS28zpgbsfHTCz6
Phone Number: 2222824862
Timing: 10 am to 12 am
Address: 82, Nagin Mahal, VN Road, Churchgate.
Cost for two: ₹700
Available Cuisines: North Indian, Mexican, Italian
Type: Vegetarian
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Blossoms, Ghatkopar
Recommended By Vipul Yadav @foodie_baba
At Blossoms in Ghatkopar, one can find an innovative take on the dish along with classic Pav Bhaji. There is Mari Pav Bhaji which means pepper pav bhaji. “In Ghatkopar, it is said that when a kid is coughing, teachers and elders recommend that they have this Mari Pav Bhaji,” says Vipul Yadav who conducts food walks in the city.” Blossoms also makes a Hariyali pav bhaji made with green capsicum and green tomatoes.
Location:https://maps.app.goo.gl/rjWS28zpgbsfHTCz6
Phone Number: 7666699997
Timing: 7pm to 12 am
Address: Vikrant Circle, Tilak Road, Ghatkopar East, Mumbai
Cost for two: ₹700
Available Cuisines: North Indian, Chinese, Italian
Type: Vegetarian
Meals Served: Dinner