Mumbai Beat

Good food around the city (Mumbai/Bombay, as this the Mumbai Beat). This is how it works. Mumbai Beat will give the name, location, best way to get there (a landmark), type of cuisine, how good the food is and the cost. It shall refrain from commenting extensively on how good the 'Sabz Bahari' or the 'Prawn Gassi'. To each his own taste. Also this is not a directory so it won't be comprehensive, will try to keep it informative

We're going to start with South Mumbai and inch our way northwards.

Cafe Churchill on Colaba Causeway is a good Italian food place. Its small in size (seats around 26 people) and so on most days you'd have to wait around 10 mins to get in during lunch/dinner hours. The portions are generous so you'd not have to worry about being underfed. The menu is quite extensive and also has a very good continental breakfast section, served only in the mornings. The deserts are brilliant and are on display in a refrigerator in the eating area. A complete meal, starters, main course, desert and something to drink (only non-alcoholic) would cost around Rs 450-500 for 2. Churchill is located opposite Cusrow Baug and is on the left side of the road if you're heading towards Navy Nagar.

Theobroma again on Colaba Causeway serves some of the finest cakes but no ale. They also have a sandwiches and other high tea goodies such as quiches and pan pizzas. The average cost of each serving is Rs 60 and the portions are quite decent. Just past Cusrow Baug and on the right hand side of the road if you're heading south.

New Martins is one of best Goan food place in Mumbai, if its food that you're looking for. Located in a lane off the Colaba Causeway, most meat eaters love the Vindaloo and the Sorpotel served here. Vegetarians can safely avoid this place, the best food they can get is dal and pao. Frequented by office people, the place is a very no-nonsense eatery, much like most other functional eating places in Mumbai. A lunch would set you back by no more than Rs 100, this includes the rather decent desert of the day, custard mostly. To get there ask for Strand Cinema.

Cafe Royale at the start of the Causeway is know for its Sizzlers. The former American President Bill Clinton visited this place when he visited Mumbai. On the expensive side, Cafe Royale also has a very decent collection of wines. Watch out for the annual food festivals when you get to sample some of the finest in World Cusine and sometimes a hefty discount on your sizzlers.

Cafe Leopold & Mondegar are the watering holes for those who want to unwind with a beer. Both are along the Colaba Causeway and a few 100 mts away from each other. Mondegar has a Jukebox while Leopold has a dance area upstairs. The beers and other ales cost just a few rupees more than any wine shop. 

Aga Brothers next to Cusrow Baug's main entrance is a perfect place for a quick bite, the place also serves very passable Chinese food. If you're a little short on cash drop in here for a quick bite. For Rs 50 you can go back a happy well fed person.

The place is called Vikramgadh, some 120 kms north of Mumbai. If you were to drive down it would take you around 3 hours. The place looks good in the monsoons when all the tributaries start swelling up. The rapid flowing water is fun to wade in and there a few dramatic waterfalls as well. Sajjan, which is close to Vikramgadh offers the a pseudo adventure sports option.

Nature Trails at Diverkarwadi is where you can put up. They offer rooms as well as dormitory style accomodation. A little on the expensive side for a budget traveler, at Rs 750 a night, Nature Trails does serve authentic Maharashtrian cuisine and this is included in the aforementioned cost. Considering the place is a tribal village you won't have any other option either.

The place, Vikramgadh that is, is an ideal haunt for bird-watchers. Its also the place where the Warli painting originated. Other interesting areas around Vikramgadh is the Jai Vilas Palace, which can be found in the Jawahar district. Ideal for a one day sojourn, you must be ready to trek through the jungles if you want to get to any interesting waterbody.