10 Best Restaurants of South Mumbai (2019): If you're Tired of the Same Old Food, Be Prepared to Have Your Taste Buds Explode!

Mumbai, the city of dreams and the seventh most populous city in the world welcomes people from all over the world every day. The influx of population and the local culture serve amazing cuisines in some of the city’s best restaurants.

South Mumbai, popularly known as SoBo, is the financial hub of the city and is host to an incredible variety of restaurants. Here is a comprehensive list of restaurants that are an absolute must-visit for the ultimate Mumbai food experience.

Open since 1945, Thaker is truly a torchbearer for authentic Gujarati thalis. The family-run kitchen is always ready to pamper you with more food and a quick discourse on Gujarati cuisine. They are also very enthusiastic hosts. Thakers is the best visited during lunch for their thali service. The dishes part of the thali are one of a kind and offer a range of Gujarati bread, vegetables, curries and desserts. If you’re curious to learn the food, the staff are kind enough to explain each dish in detail and will tell you the best way to eat the meal. During summers, do not forget to have their aamras; It is to die for!

Nestled at the tiny crossroad intersection of the historic Mumbai High Court and the Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus, Delux is very easy to miss. The humble South Indian restaurant is tucked away but is worth the hunt and is easy on the wallet as well. Visit Delux during lunch hours to eat a typical Kerala sadhya (thali) straight from the banana leaf, for an authentic South Indian meal experience. A sadhya serves sambar, rasam, different styles of vegetables sautéed with coconut gratings, rice, papad, pickle and payasam (milk-based sweet).

Located en route Mumbai heritage walk, Kyani is the oldest Parsi restaurant in South Mumbai. Founded in 1904, Kyani till date, maintains the same décor since its inception, offering you a quintessential Parsi experience and preserving a part of old Mumbai that is vanishing with the fast-paced westernisation. The iconic restaurant used to be a meeting spot for freedom fighters during the independence struggle. If you are looking for a quick and cheap meal, Kyani is your place to go.

The most famous Parsi joint of South Mumbai, Britannia is a true testament to its Zoroastrian roots. As you step into Britannia, it will transport you back to the 1980s with photos of the colonial past adorned on the walls and glass chandelier at the corners of the restaurant. The late Mr Boman Kohinoor, the founder of Britannia, was the life and light of Britannia. With a teenager like enthusiasm, Mr Kohinoor would explain in detail the history of Mumbai and the essence behind each dish they serve. Now without him around, the staff are filling his shoes to ensure his legacy lasts. Make sure you visit for lunch as Britannia is open only between 11.30 am to 4 pm on weekdays and till 10 pm on weekends.

As suggested by the name, Ishaara (signs), you place your order using the sign language displayed on their menu. Ishaara exclusively hires staff with hearing and speech impairment. A visit to Ishaara offers you the perfect trifecta of good food, great ambience and friendly service. A fairly new restaurant with a carefully curated menu, Ishaara offers you wholesome Indian food and wins you over with a depth of favours on your palates. Founded by Prashant Issar and Anuj Shah, Ishaara also offers an intense selection of desserts that include eton mess, yuzu lime mousse, and flourless brownies.

A hidden gem in the heart of South Mumbai, Trisha is your best bet for amazing seafood in town. This 25-year-old intimate and homely sea-food restaurant holds its name for the old-school décor. It attracts customers from the world over for its famous crabs. Trishna boasts of an elaborate menu and a friendly staff who are always ready to explain the dishes and their ideal combinations. For those accompanying seafood lovers and aren’t fans themselves, this joint also serves great North Indian food.

Established in 1977, Mahesh Lunch Home is a popular Mangalorean seafood restaurant chain spread across India. Serving initially at Fort, they are best known for maintaining the quality of ingredients, freshness of seafood and consistent taste over the years. Mahesh Lunch Home also hosts various food festivals to celebrate the flavours of South India. Amongst them, the most famous and sought after being the Crab and Wine Festival and the Andhra Food Festival. Since they don’t accept reservations, you might have to wait for a table, but it is definitely worth the wait.

The then cotton mills of Bombay have been refurbished and are some of Mumbai’s best, slick and quaint restaurants. Located in Lower Parel, the Bombay Canteen at Kamala Mills compound is the brainchild of Floyd Cardo, winner of TV Show Top Chef Masters. Bombay Canteen offers small plates with redefined dishes and snacks from across the country. Known for its modern Indian cuisine, old 90s music and trendy décor, Bombay Canteen boasts of creating a scrumptious experience influenced by the old and modern times. Bombay Canteen also curates special South Indian brunch every week so make sure to call ahead to know the weekly specials and also to book a table in advance. You can turn up without a reservation but you might not always get a table.

A landmark on Colaba Causeway, Mondegar fondly called Mondy’s, is popular for the murals of cartoonist Mario Miranda painted on its walls. Mario painted the walls as payment for his breakfasts as a struggling artists during his stay in Mumbai. Originally set up as a Parsi joint in the 1930s, Mondy’s has been refurbished multiple times over the years. Today it operates as a café and serves alcohol. Mondy’s was the first restaurant in Mumbai to own a juke box.

Considered as the friendly neighbourhood bar, Woodside Inn looks straight out of old-London with its dark wood bar counter and tall colonial barstools. Woodside hosts an annual Beer and Burger festival that you do not want to miss. If you are looking to unwind on Friday-Saturday night with good food, beer and rock music, Woodside won’t disappoint you. Woodside opened when Mumbai seriously lack laid-back beer and food joints but they have sustained over a decade with tremendous success. They also serve a range of 25 craft beers.

Chef Alex Sanchez, originally from San Francisco, offers you globally inspired cuisine with a hint of the laid back Californian attitude. Known for its sophistication, extraordinary presentation of dishes and imported ingredients, the Table has made quite a name as a fine dining restaurant since its inception in South Mumbai. If you are looking to take your partner on a date, then the Table offers you exactly what you need. With different sets of menu depending on what time of the day you visit, the cuisine is crafted to give you the best global experience drawing inspiration from U.S, Italy, France, China, Thailand, Japan and more.

Started by French Chef Alexis Gielbaum and Canadian Restaurateur Nick Harrison in 2017, Slink and Bardot offers you a uniquely French experience and makes you fall in love with the place. If you are in the mood for French cuisine, cosy décor and mellow music, Slink and Bardot has got you covered. Each dish is considered unique with strong flavours that will leave you wanting for more. The cooking is largely contemporary with French techniques and aided with a delicate presentation on small plates. Located at the edge of Worli Sea-Face, this intimate Indo-European décor with mood lighting and comfortable seating is ideal for a dinner date with your partner for a truly Parisian experience.

Voted amongst Asia’s top 50 restaurants of 2013 by San Pellegrino, Wasabi by Marimoto offers you contemporary Japanese cuisine. First setup in 2004 at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, Wasabi by Marimoto was destroyed in the 26/11 attack but reopened to much fanfare in 2007. Overlooking the Gateway of India, Wasabi by Marimoto imports native ingredients straight from Japan to preserve the essence of taste and authenticity. They also have an incredible Shushi bar and Teppanyaki counter.

Apart from the above-mentioned names, a host of other restaurants might catch your fancy and here are a few – Café Churchill, Ling's Pavilion, Kuai Kitchen, Mocambo, Olympia, Leopold Café and Pa Pa Ya. Also recommended are the world-famous street-side vada pavs and Bombay sandwiches.

Bon Appetit!