Mumbai is famous for its street food, the butterlicious flavours of pav bhaji, and the spicy misal pav with crunchy farsan on top and overflowing rassa, leaving a lingering, yearning for more after taste on your palate. When it comes to authentic Maharashtrian food, Mumbai has been serving authentic dishes at some of its oldest and humble establishments.
Next time you want to have something new, try the crispy and soft kothimbir vadi with kairi panhe or kokum sarbat, keeping it healthy but delicious! Or go and indulge in a Maharashtrain thali with some valache birde, masala bhat, koshimbir and vangyachi bhaji!
Here’s where to find the best Maharashtrian food in Mumbai, as per the city’s foodies:
1. Aaswad
Kalyan Karmakar, food writer and brand consultant says, "Aaswad is where I first got to know about Maharashtrian vegetarian food. Over the years, I’ve visited the place several times, with family, people on my food walks and food experts from other Indian cities and abroad—everyone loves it. I have got to know the owner Suryakant Sarjoshi, and his humility and sincerity strikes a chord with me. My favourite is the zunka bhakar thali—it’s humble farmer food but it grows on you. Food writer Colleen Sen was smitten by it when I took her there.”
“This is a spot that’s definitely keeping up with the times. Their breakfast items,like poha, thalipeeth and puri-bhaji, are the ones to try. In the summers, don’t miss their kairi panhe to beat the heat. In December and January, they have a Dhundur Mas thali—a traditional winter breakfast featuring warm ingredients like sesame, jaggery and ghee.” Shruti Railkar, heritage and food enthusiast
Average cost: ₹300 for two people (approx.)
Location: Sanskruti Building Gadkari Chauk, 4, Lady Jamshedji Roadd, opp. Shiv Sena Bhavan, Dadar West; Call 2224451871
2. Aaraam Vada Pav
“I’ve been to many Maharashtrian restaurants but they tend to have everything else along with Maharashtrian food. Most places that do Malvani food in the city are not really Malvani, they are a blend of Malvani, Agrih, and, to a large extent, Konkani food. There are also no Koli restaurants, sadly. Most Maharashtrians don’t go out to eat Maharashtrian food so perhaps the best Maharashtrian food available in Mumbai is vada pav. I love Aaraam Vada Pav more for nostalgia than anything else." Kurush Dalal, food historian
Average cost: ₹200 for two people (approx.)
Location: Capital Cinema Building, 126, Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Rd, Azad Maidan, Fort; call 2222073947
3. Prakash Shakahari Upahar Kendra
Another suggestion from Kurush as he adds, "Beyond vada pav, I like Prakash Shakahari Uphar Kendra and I think they have really nice Maharashtrian food. I love the kothimbir vadis and sabudana vadas, and the kharwas for dessert.”
Average cost: ₹150 for two people (approx.)
Location: 9/10, Horizon Building, Gokhale Rd N, Dadar West; call 9920979029
4. Sujata Upahar Griha
Kurush Dalal, food historian says, “The sign outside says Sujata Uphar Griha but everyone calls this place B Tambe. It’s a Girgaum institution that mainly serves snacks, but also has a ‘special thali’ which has simple, satisfying staples like varan, aamti, bhaji, usal and farsan. They also have drinks like karvand sarbat and kokum saar."
Average cost: ₹350 for two people (approx.)
Location: 277, Mapla Mahal, Jagannath Shankar Seth Road, Vaidya Wadi, Thakurdwar, Girgaon; call 2223864223
5. Maaslli
“Maasli is a new place and I've gone there once but the owner Prasad Nayak's enthusiasm is infectious. Apart from the usual Malvani fare, he offers GSB food and is probably the only one in Mumbai to do so. GSB food is mild in spices and the quality of the produce has to be very good. My favourites are the pomfret stuffed with tiny shrimp, rawa coated prawns fry, mutton ghee roast and the tirfal fish curry.” Kalyan Karmakar, food writer and brand consultant.
Average cost: ₹1,000 for two people (approx.)
Location: Plot 31A, Ground Floor, Old Ambalal Chawl, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli; call 8282826121
6. Panshikar
“Panshikar is located in the heart of Mumbai in Girgaum, which has a large Maharashtrian population. It’s a favourite spot for breakfast and they serve a range of upvas items like farali misal, sabudana vada and thalipeeth. They stay true to the authenticity of the dishes and are very pocket-friendly and hygienic. During Ganesh Chaturthi, they offer a wide variety of modaks, including those made with mawa, kesar, pista, kaju and chocolate, along with the plain ukadiche modak.” Shruti Railkar, heritage and food enthusiast
Average cost: ₹200 for two people (approx.)
Location: Gananath CHS, SB Road, Opposite Dadar Station, Dadar West; call 9322232155
7. Mama Kane
“Situated right outside Dadar station, Mama Kane is easily accessible to commuters. The upvas snacks like sabudana vada and sabudana khichdi are must-tries, as are the thalipeeth, piyush, misal pav and batata vadas. The taste here is exactly like that in a Maharashtrian household and the recipes have stayed consistent for years.” Shruti Railkar, heritage and food enthusiast
Average cost: ₹200 for two people (approx.)
Location: 222, Smruti Kunj, Senapati Bapat Marg, Dadar West; call 2224221161
8. Ladu Samrat
"Mumbai’s Maharashtrian options are becoming increasingly limited, unless we’re talking about nashta. For snacks, I find myself going back to the taste of nostalgia in places I’ve loved for decades—Ladu Samrat for kothimbir vadi and dahi misal." Roshni Bajaj Sanghvi, food and travel writer
Average cost: ₹250 for two people (approx.)
Location: Shop No. 1 Habib Terrace Lalbaug, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Road, Ganesh Gully, Parel; call 8686002017
9. Jai Hind Lunch Home
“Jai Hind Lunch Home offers quick service and the staff usually suggests what goes with which meal, which is great especially if you are new to eating seafood. The solkadhi, prawns Koliwada and bombil fry are the best. Jai Hind stays true to the bombil fry recipe and the fish just melts in your mouth. They also serve a bombil sandwich which has a prawn stuffing.” Shruti Railkar, heritage and food enthusiast
Average cost: ₹900 for two people (approx.)
Location: Bandra, Lower Parel, Dadar
10. Shree Vithal Vadapav
"There’s a funky fellow in Sewri called Shree Vithal Vadapav who makes vada pav on a wood fire—it’s really good. One of my favourites is a small no-name place in Bhoiwada, inside the compound of a dilapidated grey government chawl at the main Bhoiwada signal in Parel," Kurush Dalal, food historian
Average cost: ₹100 for two people (approx.)
Location: No. 46, Chawl, Sewri Koliwada Road, Sewri; call 9372537954
For a huge city like Mumbai with a large Maharashtrian population, there are many options to go for authentic Marathi food.
Which Maharashtrian restaurant are you going to visit this rainy season for a hot thali or just some delicious misal pav? Incase you know of any more authentic Maharashtrian restaurants in Mumbai, let us know in the comments below.
Also read: Eat, Drink And Chill At These 15 New Restaurants in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune and Goa!
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