Where do I go for the Best Vegetarian Food in Mumbai ?

Am a Foodiehave tried scores of restaurants,some expensive and some great

value for money, across the city but have just a few favourite and top choices
.Wanted to share this with all of you for a long time nowbetter late than
never.many also serve Non Vegetarian Farehowever many people especially
Gujaratis,Marwadis and South Indians are staunch and fussy Vegetarians and will vist
only Veg restaurants as even the smell of Non Veg they cannot bear Though Im a
Vegetarian,Im not one of them
and these choices are not gleaned from other sourcesthe Proof of the Pudding is
in the Eating.and so the only source are my very own Taste Buds..I have relished
the food at these places more than oncewhat stands out common among all is the
consistency of taste and the freshness of the ingredientsif you like a particular dish
the first time,you will vist the place again and again and will get the same consistent
taste
South Indian (Only Veg)MYSORE CAFE in Matunga.Steaming Idlis (ask for their
special red pudi powder in Oilawesome) Rasam Vada.Neer DosaFilter
CoffeeSeveral Sunday Mornings begin with Breakfast at Mysore CafeGreat Value for
Moneyhas two sectionsbelow is non a/c and up the staircase leads to the airconditioned
seating areayou will have to share tables with otherspacked on most morningsSundays
double packed with waitingaround this are two other lovely similar fare
restaurants,MADRAS CAFE and ANAND BHAVAN.Most Mumbaikars choices revolve
around these three
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DhirenRAM ASHRAYA in Matunga for Mysore Sada and Filter Coffee
AnandMYSORE CAFE in Matunga for Tomato Utthapa Omlet on Toast.ANAND
BHAVAN for Kai Vada.MADRAS CAFE for Vada SambharAMBA BHAVAN for
Filter CoffeeUDI PI SRI KRISHNA for South Indian Thali.ROADSI DE CART for
Mysore Masala outside Maniss and opp Bhajan Samaj
Gujarati Thali (obviously only Veg).PANCHAVATI GAURAV in Marine Linesits
just a coincidence it bears my name !.Food is less OilyPlace is hygenic and
airconditioned..It offers Non Spicy food too for children and elders or those who find the
main Thali too spicy.On weekdays it offers Thali Size Variations..Full or Part at cheaper
cost. THAKERS BHOJ ANALAY in Kalbadevi.Ive had the best hot and piping Moog ki
dal ka Shira here in the Heavy Monsoons while it was pouring outside Rs 200 to Rs 300
on most daysSunday will be higherSeason Specials are lovelylike Undhiyu in
Winter.but you simply cannot eat such a Thali every day !
Chinese.MI NGS in Colaba ( Buddhas Delight with Chestnuts and their unique ground
pepper and garlic in olive oil sauce is amazingI lap up three bowls of it and not because its
free !).MAI NLAND CHI NA at Haji Ali and Andheri ( all their dishes are well
cookedbut the choices from their Emperors Feast Menu are simply stunning)DYNASTY
at Santacruz.Great Value for Money.Great Waiting on most nights as more and more
discover this place.try their Rainbow or Coriander Soup.ask the Steward or Captain for
suggestions,especially those not on the menu
ItalianRELISH (Only Veg) at Churchgate and Nariman Point.Theres Cheese in just about
every dish !the fondue is quite good as are the Potato Gnocchi Dumplings with Herbed
RiceJust for kicks try out their test tube drink5/6 flavours in different test
tubes..TRATTORI A at Taj President,Cuffe Parade
Punjabi/North Indian/Mughlai.KHYBER at Kala Ghoda (this is classy and pricy and has
only two soup choices best skippedgood to impress clients though) .DELHI DURBAR
in Colaba for Soft Butter Naan and Reshmi Malai Paratha and Aloo Gobhi which I simply
adore.Its a no fuss no nonsense and good value for money airconditioned place and open till
midnight too and crowded on weekendsJ EWEL OF I NDI A in Worli for Dum Biryaniits
a popular haunt for the upwardly mobile as it also houses a lounge barthe Biryani Vessel is
covered by Atta so the flavours are retaineddont be afraid to send it back if you find it a
bit hastily cooked and therefore not tasting and emitting the aroma like it should
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Pranav.PRITAM DA DHABHA in Dadar,CARAVEN SARAI in Bandra and URBAN
TADKA in Lokhandwala,Versova for Sarson ka Saag with Makki di Roti
Nakul Bajaj.CAFE APETITE in Andheri East and PRATAPS in Andheri West for
Sarson ka Saag with Makki di Roti
Shahzad J immy Vasaigaraseconds Nakul Bajaj for PRATAPS
PraavinBHAGAT TARACHAND at Sanpada,New Mumbai for great Punjabi Food
Continental.MOCAMBO in Fort ( serves good pre plated dishes and not too
expensive).FOUNTAI N CAFE at Fountain ( good choicethey also run the more famous
FLAMBOYANTE for Fusion Food at Cuffe Paradea bit pricy and they boast their Iced Tea
is the best in townjust a boast really ) CAFE PI COLO in Colaba (it is so small and
tucked away that you may miss itbut the food is smashing and great value for moneyask
for days specials).MOSHEs at Cuffe Parade.Those who are privileged to be members of
elite clubs like CCI,Bombay Gymkhana and Willingdon can taste some great continental and
fusion and Chinese fare at the speciality restaurants at these clubs at privileged prices too
unlike those at MOSHEs
Sizzlers.YOKOS at Fort.. Onion and Cheese Soup is really niceand ask for extra
bowls of pepper and garlic sauces on the side with your sizzlermake sure you ask for more
of what you want and dont want in your sizzlerlike i prefer more mushrooms and french
fries and no carrots.choice is variedyou can opt for rice or noodlesthe Shashlik comes
with a Cutlet.so dont be afraid to ask what the different sizzlers on the menu
contains.and wash it down with some great Iced TeaLemon and not Peach FlavourA
Sizzler is prized between Rs 300 to Rs 400 and can be shared by two too.so a meal for two
with two iced teas,two soups and two sizzlers and no desserts will cost you @ Rs 1000you
can bring it down by to half by ordering just one of each and sharing it
Fast Food ..SARDARS for Pao Bhaji at Tardeo.not airconditionedyou may sniff at
the hygiene and service.so takeawy is best.the Bhajis well smashed and cooked and
topped with dollops of Real and Original Amul Butter..has got a lovely taste.the Paos
are dripping with Butterserved with cut onions and lemon.Love Butterso simply Love
Sardars !.Rs 60 thereabouts.SUBWAYS for Sandwiches all over Mumbai for their
Value for Money Rs 50 6 inch Parmesan Roll with Cheese and my choice of freshly cut
Vegetables with a liberal dose of South West Sauce,Mint Sauce and Mayonnaise with a hint
of Mustard and Barbeque.VADA PAO Stall for the ubiquitious Vada Pao and Onion
and Potato Bhajias at the Love Grove Flyover and Worli Sea Face JunctionIve had Vada
Paos all over the City of Mumbaibut these guys at the Worli Stall have a great mix..not too
spicyand one does not blurp after eating their Vada Pao !I prefer the Pao to be coated
inside slightly with sweet chutney and a hint of the dry and red garlic masala powder
Mexican Food does not excite me much but for those who are fond of it then NEW
YORKERS (only Veg)at Chowpatty is a great place for Enchiladasnext to it is the popular
CREAM CENTRE that is identified with the Best Chole Bhatura in town I can vouch for
this.and in Maharashtrian Fare I simply love Puran Poli
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Dhiren.MAMLEDAR in Thane for Misal Pao
AnandOpp Astik Samaj in Matunga for Sev Puri
BUT let me confidethere is simply no food like Home Food !but once in awhile you
do need to eat outand for me it often is a professional compulsion
Does anyone know where in Mumbai Proper can one taste some authentic Sarson ka
Saag with piping hot and fresh Makki di Roti with some white butter..even branded
Amul butter would do for me !?.am sure there is a placeyet searching for it
Will keep on adding to the above List ,should I genuinely love the Food at that Place
Maybe you can share some of your choices in Mumbaiand I can go try themand
maybe thank you for discovering them !
Cheers ! and Bon Apetite !