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If we have to describe the Bombay sandwich – the quintessential iconic street food in Mumbai, after the vada pav, it would be impossible to classify it as something specific. For in all its glory, the humble sandwich is nothing short of a defining culinary moment for the bustling city. Freshly sliced vegetables sandwiched between commercial white bread slathered with a spicy green chutney and a savoury potato masala, which is then toasted with plenty of butter over hot coals – the Bombay sandwich is a gastronomic phenomenon.
Perhaps what makes this street side offering such a widely consumed food variety lies in its ability to be personalised, made portable without having to compromise on flavour. Think about it – what is a better wake-up call in the evening than spicy chutney causing steam to come out of your ears! Besides, the Bombay sandwich is more than just a dish that you consider ordering while hungry; most of us who grew up in the city have memories associated with it and have grown to love it like our own.
To course through history really quick, the Bombay sandwich is a product of the 60’s, when the migrant population pool started to expand in the city. As the textile industry experienced a boom, labourers were always on the lookout for cheap and efficient meal options that didn’t require them to use cutlery, sit in one place to enjoy their meal. Et voila, the Bombay sandwich! As the crowning jewel of Mumbai’s street food scene, the Bombay sandwich is easily one to beat all other offerings.
We’ve rounded up a list of places, with a little help from foodies who grew up in the city, to have you find yourself the best Bombay sandwich experience; and for a quick bite, of course!
Jay Sandwich – Recommended by Bhavna Shivalkar (@themoderndesi.co)
One of the reasons why Bhavna endorses the concept of a Bombay sandwich is because of its affordability and quick service, both of which appeal to her. She says, “Primarily because it is vegetarian, you can enjoy a Bombay sandwich free of food taboos. It is not a hard sell, you know what the menu offers and it appeals to everybody.” Bhavna’s recommendation comes courtesy of her spending time in Bandra during her college days, which she fondly remembers while sharing her best Bombay sandwich recco.
Location: 32nd Road, near National College, Linking Road, Bandra West.
Timings: Daily, 10am-8.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹200
Lucky’s Sandwich – Recommended by Ria Jain (@jaineatouts)
“They say in Mumbai that if you haven’t tried out Lucky’s sandwiches, you haven’t tried anything,” she says about the old street food joint in Vile Parle. As one of the oldest joints selling the iconic Bombay sandwich, Lucky’s is thronged by students, office-goers and the odd city slicker for a quick bite in the evenings. His other specialties also include the flavour-packed Chilly Cheese Grilled sandwich, a personal favourite for Ria.
Location: Station Road, Bajaj Road, Corner, Vile Parle West, Mumbai.
Timings: Daily, 11am-9.50pm.
Cost for two: ₹250
Image Credits: Duke's Mayo
Narayan Snacks Parlour – Recommended by Mrinmai Parab (@mrinmaiparab)
For Mrinmai, a photographer-restaurateur, the chutney is the make-or-break factor in a Bombay sandwich; which is precisely why she swears by the sandwiches doled out at Narayan Snacks, located just outside the bustling Andheri station. She also prefers her classic Masala Toast sandwich to be made without cucumber and no cheese, so that she can get the full experience of the deliciously chatpata chutney.
Location: Old Nagardas Rd., Shop No. 1, near Vissanji Academy, outside Andheri (E) station.
Timings: Daily, 10am-8.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹150
Right Place – Recommended by Aniket Gulabani (@aniketgulabani)
A big believer in double seasoning and the highly debatable claim that the perfect green chutney should be the right balance of tang and spice, Aniket points us toward the ‘right place’, quite literally, to get an old-school Bombay sandwich. This no-frills joint that has been making sandwiches since the beginning of time, also serves soft serve ice cream, just in case the heat is too much for its customers to take!
Location: Near Breach Candy Hospital, Warden Road, Breach Candy.
Timings: Daily, 8.45am-12.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹350
Sanjay Singh Sandwichwallah – Recommended by Aatish Nath (@aatishn)
Doling out sandwiches for more than 30 years in the Kala Ghoda area of Mumbai, Aatish claims that Sanjay Singh makes ‘one of the finest Bombay sandwiches in the city’. While Sanjay himself offers 16 varieties of sandwiches, it is his Bombay sandwich that put him on the map for being the best one to eat in South Mumbai. Each creation that comes from Sanjay’s rickety set up is customised to the liking of his customers, which he considers to be as good as making fine art.
Location: 144, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Mantralaya, Fort.
Timings: Daily, 9.30am-10pm.
Cost for two: ₹200
Image Credits: My Food Story
Sandwizza – Recommended by Adarsh Munjal (@thebigbhookad)
Adarsh claims that the Bombay sandwich is his personal pick when it comes to Mumbai’s street food. He fondly recalls travelling from Tardeo to Santacruz to Sandwizza (formerly Swastik), to get a fill of this iconic sandwich, only because of his obsession with their green chutney, one that he has cultivated over the years. Although this place has since popped multiple outlets across the city, it is the oldest one that Adarsh still holds sentimental value towards.
Location: Arun Bazaar, Santacruz Railway Station Road, Santacruz (W).
Timings: Daily, 10am-9.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹150
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Jamnalal Bajaj Marg – Recommended by Saee Koranne Khandekar (@skoranne)
Saee swears by her experience of eating the best Bombay sandwiches at multiple stalls lined down a single street in Nariman Point. What she loves most about getting a sandwich down this street is that you can walk up to just about any stall and have the ultimate Bombay sandwich experience, without batting an eyelid. Saee also truly believes that the chatpata chutney makes or breaks a classic Bombay sandwich.
Location: Jamnalal Bajaj Marg, Near Makers Chamber, Nariman Point.
Timings: Daily, 10am-9.00pm.
Cost for two: ₹100
Hawkers on Veer Nariman Road – Recommended by Luke Coutinho (@luke_coutinho)
Luke Coutinho strongly endorses the Bombay sandwich for its affordability and taste. He finds it interesting that vegetarian fillings hold as much popularity here, as meat fillings in a sandwich do, in the West. He points towards the tiny stalls dotted along Veer Nariman road for the toastiest Bombay sandwich. He says that watching the ‘towering behemoth of a sandwich’ getting buttered and griddled is definitely a sight on its own.
Location: Hawkers along Veer Nariman road, Churchgate.
Timings: Daily, 10am-10.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹200
Image Credits: SBS
Bachelorr’s on Chowpatty Seaface – Recommended by (@foodverse_ps)
Visited by the who’s who of Mumbai, Bachelorr’s is a landmark destination to get some refreshing fruit juices, their popular green chilli ice cream as well as the delicious Bombay sandwich. The institution boasts of being one of the oldest establishments of South Mumbai that serves up a mean Bombay toastie – replete with all the fix-ins of chutney, tomatoes, potato, sliced onions and cucumber – all toasted to a crisp with a generous amount of butter.
Location: 45, Sattar Sea View, Chowpatty Seaface Road, Mumbai.
Timings: Daily, 4.30pm-2.00am.
Cost for two: ₹150
Khau Galli in Ghatkopar East – Recommended by (@india-eat_mania)
If you’re a true Bombay sandwich lover but have sworn off of white bread and gluten, the stalls set up in the Khau Galli also offer a breadless option of the sandwich; basically with all the fillings and none of the guilt. But if you enjoy the Bombay sandwich in all its glory, then hop by any one of the stalls and get a sandwich made to your liking. Don't forget to add the delicious red garlic chutney and lots of sev.
Location: Khau Galli, outside Ghatkopar station, Mumbai.
Timings: Daily, 10.00am-11.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹150
