A day in Mumbai
(Want to download the full guide to your Smartphone? Download it from GuidePal City Guides.)See & Do
Chowpatty Beach
(c) Thomas Brown
India, Mumbai, Gateway of India, view across harbour
A beach and bazaar all in one
Word to the wise: Go during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival held sometime in August and September and witness a festive procession where thousands of Ganesha idols are immersed into the sea.
Chowpatty Beach is a popular spot amongst locals who like to escape Mumbai’s seething intensity and get some (kind of) fresh air. This is not the beach to lay out and take a dip in the water. Chowpatty Beach is more about taking a stroll, sampling some of its famed bhelpuri - crisped puffed rice, veggies, fried lentil-flour noodles, mixed with spicy and sweet chutneys - from the food carts, getting a head massage or having your palm read. Kids riding the Ferris wheels and merry-go-rounds, snake charmers, contortionists, and even trained monkeys roam the beaches in a sort-of carnival-like atmosphere.
See & Do
Chatterjee & Lal
See a different side of Mumbai at a contemporary art gallery
Noteworthy for: Chatterjee & Lal was one of the first galleries to open in Colaba, ushering in a new wave of artists and galleries to the area.
One of the more recognized modern art galleries, Chatterjee & Lal was formed by husband and wife team Mortimer Chatterjee and Tara Lal. In 2003, they created the Colaba-based gallery with the idea of showcasing progressive artists and providing a venue for avant-garde work.The gallery features work in various media including video, performance, sculptural, and installation. With emerging talent like Rashid Rana and Nikhil Chopra, the gallery has attracted international acclaim, selling work to illustrious institutions around the world. The gallery is just one example of the newer, trendier Mumbai and something to check out when you want to veer off the traditional tourist path.
Open Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am - 7pm Address: 01/18 Kamal Mansion Floor 1, Arthur Bunder Rd, Colaba Phone: +91 22 2202 3787 Chatterjee and Lal's webpage
See & Do
Haji Ali Mosque
A magical mosque floating at sea
Word to the wise: Visit at dusk when musicians assemble to perform qaawali, a style of Sufi devotional music.
Like Mont St Michel in France, the Haji Ali Shrine appears to float in the sea, until the tide recedes and a concrete walkway emerges allowing visitors and pilgrims access. The striking 15th century shrine floating off the coast of Mumbai contains the tomb of revered Muslim saint Haji. As the story goes, the sailor was on his way to Mecca when he died en route and his body, in a coffin no less, miraculously washed up back to Mumbai’s shores.The walkway is lined with beggars begging for money, hoping to score a few extra pennies from those religiously inclined. Once inside, visitors will find a shrine decorated with colored mirror mosaics and worshippers praying over the flower-covered casket.
Address: Near Mahalaxmi Temple
Shopping
Bombay Electric
Shop with the fashionistas
Noteworthy for: The New York Times deemed Bombay Electric the Barney’s of India.
This clean, white, minimalist store stocks the most cutting-edge in Indian design. If you’re looking for traditional Indian gear, you’re in the wrong place. With nary a salwar kameez or sari in sight, the store appeals to the modern Mumbai girl. Indian designers like Ashish Soni, Ghee Butter and Little Shilpa, as well as international stars like Comme des Garcons, fill the racks. Owner and jet-setter, Priya Kishore makes sure to carefully curate her stock earning her a fervent following among fashionistas worldwide.
Price sample: Accessories: RS 2,500-5,000
Womenswear: RS 5,000-21,000
Menswear: RS 3,500-8,400
T-shirts: RS 1,200
Open Hours: Daily: 11am - 9pm
Address: 1 Reay House, Best Marg
Phone: +91 22 2287 6276
Bombay Electric's webpage
Shopping
Linking Road
Bric-a-brac, fashion and delicious food
Word to the wise: Get your bargaining skills ready if you want to score a good deal.
Linking Road is like the Camden Market of Mumbai. Indian street vendors mix with chains like Kentucky Fried Chicken. Stalls and shops stand together ready to sell their wares. Bags, belts, shoes, traditional attire and western garb, all mix together in this quirky market. Budget shoppers can rejoice as you can snag most things here under RS 500-900.
Open Hours: Daily: 9am - 8pm
Times vary by store
Address: Linking Road, Bandra
Restaurants
Trishna
A seafood lovers paradise
Popular plate: Trishna is known for its king crab with garlic and pepper.
Local fave Trishna serves up fresh, delicious seafood to the hungry masses. Don't let the odd faux wood paneling, yellow walls and testy waiters scare you away. Unlike many restaurants, Trishna is known less for its ambience and more for its fresh seafood, which is considered amongst the best in the city.Try some of their drool-inducing fish kebabs, jumbo tandoori shrimp, and pomfret stuffed with green chutney. Everyone from dignitaries to cricket players, to faithful everyday Mumbaikars, have dined here. If you really want to see how fresh your food is, ask to see one of the still live lobsters before they become your dinner.
Price sample: Main course: RS 150-620
Open Hours: Mon-Sat: 12noon - 3.30pm, 6.30pm - 12midnight
Sun: 12noon – 3.30pm, 7.30pm - 12midnight
Address: Birla Mansion, Shri Sai Baba Marg
Phone: +91 22 2270 3213
Restaurants
Britannia & Co
One of the few standing Parsi establishments
Word to the wise: Britannia and Co is only open for lunch.
One of the few places in the city that serve Parsi food, Britannia and Co packs in the crowds like bees to honey. The red awning stands out amongst the chaos of Mumbai as a beacon to hungry foodies. Be prepared to wait in line if you want your taste buds to experience Britannia. The interior looks like your basic cafeteria with plastic tablecloths and glass tops, but with food this good it doesn't matter. People from all walks of life show up for Britannia's Persian-Indian food. Crowd favorites include their signature berry pulao, a rice pilaf made with fried onions, chicken or mutton, and barberries which are imported from Iran or the fish not so aptly entitled Bombay Duck.
Price sample: Main course: RS 250-350
Open Hours: Mon-Sat: 12noon - 4pm
Sun: Closed
Address: Wakefield House 11, 16 Sprott Road
Phone: +91 22 2261 5264
Restaurants
Indigo
Trendy spot for the Bollywood Set
Popular plate: Try unique pairings like the Beet Carpaccio or Chocolate Jalapeno Fondant.
If you’re into celeb-sighting, the beautiful Indigo is the place to go. Considered one of the top restaurants in the world, this is not one to be missed and a fave with serious foodies. Everyone from Aishwarya Rai to Angelina Jolie has dined here. The Euro-American-Asian fusion food offers something for everyone. Enter the 19th century mansion to eat in the main dining room with it's soothing reflecting pool filled with marigolds. Or if your heart desires, in the more intimate and inviting yellow dining room. Either way your stomach will thank you.
Price sample: Main course: RS 485-1,850
Open Hours: Daily: 12noon - 2.45pm, 5.30pm - 11.45pm
Address: 4 Mandlik Rd, Colaba
Phone: +91 22 6636 8999
Indigo's webpage
Bars & Nightlife
Bonobo
Jungle-themed bar allows you to play bartender
Tipple of choice: Inventive martinis like the strawberry and coriander, orange and toffee nut, lime and tamarind really set Bonobo apart from the rest.
In case you’re wondering what a Bonobo is, it’s an endangered ape from the Congo. A fitting name considering the jungle theme. However this is no tacky establishment. The beige, brown, and green tones are subtle not overbearing, while the walls are decorated with painted birds and foliage. Bonobo is a must for adventurous cocktail lovers, as they offer an “interactive” bar where patrons can play mixologist choosing the liquor, garnishes, mixers, and even the glass.
Price sample: Drinks: RS 250-300
Pitchers: RS 950-1,150
Open Hours: Daily: 7pm - 1am
Address: Kenilworth Mall Phase 2, Off Linking Rd (Behind KFC)
Phone: +91 22 2605 5050
Bonobo's webpage
Bars & Nightlife
Dome Bar
Stylish and romantic bar set high above the city
Tipple of choice: Sweet Basil Bloody Mary.
This dazzling rooftop bar offers unparalleled views of the ocean and the twinkling lights of Marine Drive below. Cushy white sofas hug white tables while the sea surrounds you. Keep your camera on hand to snap pictures of the sunset. From the service to décor to the drinks themselves, everything at Dome is top of the line, without the pretense or velvet ropes.
Price sample: RS 250-600
Open Hours: Daily: 6pm - 1.30am
Address: Intercontinental Hotel, 135 Marine Drive
Phone: +91 22 3987 9999
Intercontinental Hotel's webpage
Independent.ie Travel Guides
Brought to you in association with GuidePal
