Mumbai Archives - India Someday Travels

Feeling Bombay

Posted on May 25, 2016May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

If you are travelling to India then consider visiting Bombay. Being one of the major cities in India, there are lots of fun things to do in Bombay on offer. This guide will also help you with how to reach Bombay and how long you should consider staying here.

Bombay is wildly and magnificently alive. When you first arrive, you’ll think there’s no escape from the deafening traffic and fierce heat, but then you’ll discover the leafy suburbs and the endless colonial arcades of the town and think you’ve found peace at last. However, around each corner is a tout waiting to dig into your pockets or a gaggle of teenagers playing truant. You’ll soon realise that even in its quietest moments, this is a city that constantly thrums with life.

Gateway of India (Photo Credit – Ketan Saptasagare)

Top Experiences and things to do in Bombay

– Travel in a local train, though preferably not at rush hour. Be sure to keep your eyes, ears and nose wide open!

– Find your way to the sea face and watch the effect it has on tired employees, overexcited toddlers, clandestine couples and street hawkers alike

– Attend a concert or check out one of the great local bars. Get on the scene and meet people, they’re what make up the heart and soul of the city

– Talk to your taxi drivers, they’re always willing to share a conversation after a long day of dodging deranged pedestrians

– Try some of the best street food in all of India

CST Mumbai, railway station and old colonial architecture (Photo Credit – Appaiah)

Activities

This is a list of some of the best things to do in Bombay during your stay. We can also suggest other activities that are well suited to your trip, just message us to plan your trip to India now!

– Take a cycle tour through the old colonial area in South Bombay, either at dawn or midnight

– Take a slum tour, or a Dhavari industrial tour, especially if you have children with you

– Catch a ferry and sail away from the urban towards the historic Elephanta Caves across the bay

– Bollywood is in the heart of Bombay and there are also many tours surrounding these sights as well for you to explore

Recommended for:

Backpackers ****

Young people *****

Families ***

Recommended period of stay: 2-4 days

Explore More: Unearthing Things to do in India

A clear morning on the Marine Drive, Mumbai (Photo Credit – Satyajeet Mazumdar)

How to reach Bombay

You can easily get to the city by air, train or taxi so do not worry if you are concerned about how to reach Bombay as there are many options to choose from.

Air – Bombay is accessible by air and you can fly into the city from major airports in the UK, US, Australia and others. You can also take domestic flights in and out of Bombay.

Also Read: Comprehensive Guide for Traveling to India from the UK

Train – There are many trains within Bombay that connect you around the city either on the Western, Central or Harbour lines. However, these may be best avoidable during commuter times when locals are travelling to work. You can also travel by train to other destinations around India including Goa, Delhi or Bangalore. Read more on how to book a foreign tourist train ticket to book your ticket in advance.

Explore More: The Journey from Australia to India

Experience an authentic train journey through the bustling streets of Bombay (Photo Credit – Rehan Ansari)

Live like a local: Mumbai

Posted on January 15, 2016May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

This post kicks off our life like a local series, a quick run-through each of the nation’s top destinations through the eyes of its own. Find out where to stay, what to eat, where to go, what to say, and the best things to do in Mumbai. Plus a bunch of extra tips to help you drop the tourist tag. Soon you will be able to master how to live like a local in Mumbai.

Traffic in Mumbai

Where to stay

Bombay city doesn’t have quite as many homestays or couch surfing options as other world cities, but our budget hotels are a real experience in themselves! We recommend staying near Colaba the most charming part of Mumbai!

From bustling markets, delicious street food, museums and high-end restaurants, Colaba has it all. However, what adds to its charm is the stunning gateway, the famous Taj hotel and ancient buildings that reek of history.

Bandra-Worli Sea Link (Photo Credit – nahushraj23)

What to eat

To get a true experience of the city, one of the main things to do in Mumbai is to taste the local street food. Maharashtrian Fish. Parsi Mutton Dhansak (spicy gravy on brown rice). Mughlai Kheema Pao (mince and bread).

As a blend of cultures, there’s a blend of food all equally delicious in its own right. However, none beats out Mumbai’s very own vada pav. A delicious, hot potato patty fried in a chickpea batter, smothered in chutney and packed neatly into a sliced pav bun.

In terms of a single restaurant that really embodies the city spirit, we’d have to recommend The Bombay Canteen, an outstanding establishment both for its innovativeness and it’s near-perfect attention to thematic detail in décor, menu and delicious city-inspired cocktails.

Try any of their food; it’s all local but with a masterful twist by the brilliant Chef Thomas Zachariah.

Live like a local in Mumbai and try the street food

Where to go

The surface. Whether it’s Bandra’s bandstand or Marine Drive’s Chowpatty, this is the city’s social leveller. Watch the sunset in the company of families, lovers, schemers and college gangs. The best way to live like a local in Mumbai is to join in and watch the crowds of residents go about their daily lives.

Buy some channa from a passing urchin or fruit ice-cream from our beloved Naturals. If you’re in Bandra late, wait for Bournvita Uncle to ride upon his cycle and dole out steaming cups of hot chocolate. Feel the breeze in your hair and just listen, watch, and be a part of the passionate storm of people that fuel this city.

Things to do in Mumbai – Marine Drive

What to do

Take a hike. The city’s surrounded by beautiful hills just a few hours out. While, as a visitor, you’re probably looking for something more in the city itself, it’s our choice of escape. Let us know if you think you’re up for a day’s rewarding climb and we’ll find the perfect option for you.

For those still looking for something within the city, try the Bhau Daji Lad Museum. A fine collection of artefacts, lovingly accumulated and categorised. This is situated inside the city zoo at Byculla. Also, it encourages interaction and loves to answer all your questions about the city we adore.

For more options on things to do in Mumbai, plan your trip with India Someday and we can help make your stay unforgettable.

Read on: Uncover India’s Rich Mosaic of Things to Explore

Things to do in Mumbai – Bhau Daji Lad Museum

What to say

To live like a local in Mumbai you can pick up certain Indian phrases to help you. Try your hand at our universal fix-it ‘jau de, kaka’ that translates to ‘let it go, uncle’. Throw it blindly at any figure of authority, particularly cops in a sufficiently gravelly tone and you might just be able to get out of a tight spot.

Most people in Bombay of all classes speak basic English. Accordingly, there’s no need to rock out your Namaste every five minutes. It’s really not that commonly used. Hellos, please and thank yous have pretty much replaced their local counterparts, so that won’t cause you much trouble either.

If you contact us personally, we could give you a more private tutorial on the way of life here. Also, a lesson on bambaiiya gaalis that’ll serve you well in traffic.

Bonus tips:

Always opt for public transport. Maybe you’ll get ripped off by cabs and autos but it’s worth it for stories. If they try to lie to you about the distance, at least you get to take the scenic route. Be careful of local trains at rush hour, but don’t let that put you off from taking it at all. The metro’s cool and very efficient but no fun, so you can skip that
Eat off the street food
Try not to end up with too many beggar children under your personal care
Don’t forget mosquito repellent and sun-screen!

Take local train (Photo Credit – Rehan Ansari from Pixabay)

Street Food in Mumbai

Posted on July 8, 2015May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

Being the mad foodies that we are, we believe nothing defines a city like the street food it offers to its citizens. The regular and enthusiastic consumption of street food in the city is the major difference between a local and a tourist. A local knows his street food, a traveller wants to. The street food in Mumbai is there when you are tired of the ‘ghar ka khana’ (home-cooked meal) or stuck somewhere and struck by hunger pangs, or it’s that time of the month when your wallet’s light and you can’t afford a restaurant meal, and McDonald’s is just blah!

Street food is the signature of a city, something that you can only find in a particular place. You can’t separate the food from the city and the city from the food; this is what the locals eat and swear by. If you want to see what the people of a certain place are like, try their street food.

Experience the mouth-watering street food in Mumbai during your trip and live like a local would! (Photo Credit – Anisht Dev)

Top five street food and local delicacies you must NOT miss when in Mumbai

In our first part of the ‘Street Food in India’ series, we begin with the maximum city of Mumbai. Why Mumbai? Because India Someday is based in Mumbai and it is probably the most versatile when it comes to street food. Reflective of its cosmopolitan ethos, the city draws in cuisines from across the country and makes them its own.

Mumbai has enough delicacies to satisfy the most discerning eater, whether you are vegetarian or non-vegetarian, or even vegan! You can try to best veg street food in Mumbai as long as you know what’s what.

Here is some further advice on street food in Jaipur and Calcutta.

Street food vendors in Mumbai (Photo Credit – Marco Zanferrari)

Vada Pav

You definitely have to begin your street food adventure with this one! India’s take on the burger! The king when it comes to street food in Mumbai. Easy on the wallet and the food you can relate to most with Mumbaikars (citizens of Mumbai). It’s hot and it’s spicy; you can have it with the sweet tamarind & date chutney if a little too spicy for your palate.

A favourite lunch snack for Mumbaikars, especially the ones who are in a rush or don’t have the money to have a proper meal. The Vada Pav is one of the few truly indigenous street foods of the city that developed directly from Maharashtrian and Portuguese cuisine.

Vada Pav is among the best street food in Mumbai and one to try by the non-meat lovers.

Where can I have this?

Getting a Vada Pav in Mumbai isn’t tough; you will find it almost everywhere.

Which one doles out the best?

Aaram Vadapav, CST (42, Mint Road, Opposite GPO, Fort, Mumbai). It is a small stall right across the famous UNESCO World Heritage Railway Station CST in South Mumbai. Dig into this with a side order of cutting chai! If you’re a fan of crunch, try out the samosa pav as well.

Hint: the stall is attached to a little restaurant and they serve up a variety of fresh and inexpensive local delicacies.

The King of Mumbai’s Street food – The Vada Pav!

Pav Bhaji

Another delicacy that tastes best in Mumbai, Pav Bhaji is a vegetable mash in thick tomato and potato curry, laden with generous amounts of butter, served with the local pav bread and garnished with onions and lemon juice. Another dish that is considered as the best veg street food in Mumbai. Even the thought of Pav Bhaji makes one salivate.

Where can I have this?

We suggest Sardar Pav Bhaji in Tardeo, near Grand Road railway station (Western Line) if you are in town.

If you are staying in the suburbs, Amar Juice Center is best known for its Pav Bhaji and the icing on the cake is that both are open well after midnight.

Mouth-watering Pav Bhaji at Sardars!

Kebabs

This one is for our non-vegetarian friends. Mumbai, just like the rest of our country has a sizable vegetarian population. However, finding non-veg street food isn’t difficult either. You can find the most delicious kebabs on the streets of Mumbai.

Where can I have this?

Sarvi we’d suggest, a 90-year-old establishment with unbeatable mutton seekh kebabs. It is in Byculla, just next to the Nagpada police station. Get down at Bombay Central railway station to get here.

Kebabs! A favourite with all meat lovers

Pani Puri

Mumbaikars swear by pani-puri. Not the gol gappas, or puchkas of other cities, they are Mumbai’s own pani-puris. A small crisp hollow puri, full of spicy mint flavoured water, tamarind chutney, chickpeas, potatoes and lentils is a very refreshing dish. Please do not miss this if you are in Mumbai.

If you can’t handle spice, let it be known to the guy making you pani-puri in advance to avoid breathing fire or being reduced to tears. Though spice comes hand in hand to make the most delicious street food in Mumbai, so we recommend you add a little zing to your dishes.

Where can I have this?

We suggest Elco in Bandra or Kailash Parbat in Colaba, both these outlets use mineral water so there are no hygiene issues, also the taste is absolutely delicious. Don’t forget to ask for your sukha puri in the end!

Gol gappas in Delhi! Paani Puri in Mumbai!!

Bhel Puri

Bhel Puri is one of the most popular Mumbai dishes, a dish made of puffed rice, onions, sev, chat masala and chutneys. Cheap, light, and not as unhealthy (healthiest street food in Mumbai on this list), this is a favourite amongst Mumbaikars as a popular evening snack.

Where can I have this?

Sharmajee and Badshahs at Girgaum Chowpatty, near Charni Road railway station, are popular for their lip-smacking Bhel Puri.

Famous Bhel Puri, also known as Mumbai Chaats (Photo Credit – JK Werner)

Best Places to Street Shop in Mumbai

Posted on July 7, 2014May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

In Mumbai and looking to shop? Ditch the snazzy boutiques and comfort of air-conditioned malls and hit the road for some fun street shopping! The best street shopping places in Mumbai have a variety of clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery to choose from and all at affordable prices.

One golden rule though: you have to haggle. Haggling is an art and if you’re up for it, then you’re all set for an awesome shopping spree.

Here are some of the best Mumbai markets for shopping that are a must-see on our list!

When shopping in India don’t forget to bargain!

Colaba causeway

In the same area as the Gateway of India, and a definite stop for all tourists. One of the cheap shopping places in Mumbai for jewellery. Chunky jewellery, neckpieces, danglers, bangles, bracelets, they’ve got it all. They also sell some lovely scarves here and antique wares like clocks, lamps, bells etc. Walk around here just to get a feel of the city, as this is in the heart of the backpacker district in Mumbai

It is amazing what knick-knacks and antiques you can find on the market stalls (Picture Credit: The Leela Palace)

Fashion street

This shopping lane is near Churchgate railway station. Mainly for clothes and a few shoe stalls, it’s one of the few places that also caters to men. Don’t expect their clothes to last you a lifetime but at the prices they offer, you can change your wardrobe every three months. It is a shopaholic paradise with over 100 stalls that feels like it goes on for miles.

An array of colourful garments to buy! (Photo Credit: Adam Cohn)

Hill road

A hip shopping locale in the ‘Queen of the Mumbai Suburbs’, Bandra is our pick when shopping in Mumbai for clothes. Frequently visited by college girls looking for trendy stuff. Most people love this place particularly for shoes! Boots, Wedges, Kitten heels, Stilettos, the whole shebang! A good place to get western clothes, gowns or evening dresses stitched. Bandra is slightly north of Colaba but just hop on a train and you’ll be there within no time.

Bandra is hippy central of Mumbai so you can find a lot of chic items to buy. (Photo Credit: Jugyah)

Linking road

This is on the other side of Bandra. I guess of the places suggested, this is the longest shopping lane and it has lots to offer too. You’ll find a string of shoe stalls here but mostly daily wear. There are also quite a few boutiques here, some by budding designers and some export rejects. It is easy to get here from Bandra station, only about a 15 minute walk or a quick rickshaw ride away.

You can’t go wrong with such a wide variety at such bargain prices (Photo Credit – Gil Shindler)

Chor bazaar

Literally meaning ‘Thieves Market’, it’s one of the largest flea markets in India. You can find almost anything here and it isn’t limited to just clothes and accessories! The place is massive and has everything from brassware and ceramic to vintage collections. You can even get imported stuff at dirt cheap prices. Brands – think Puma, Nike, Hummel. A paradise for brand-conscious guys that is also light on the pocket!

You can find many vintage treasures at Chor Bazaar – furniture, clothes, accessories, and more (Picture Credit: Travelogy India)

Get in touch with us, and we will help you find some of the best places to visit in India. We can customize the perfect trip for you based on your preferences and budget, ensuring you go back with unforgettable memories.