From Vada pav to Malvani masala - here’s an AAMCHI food guide to Mumbai

"Mumbai ranked 5th in the World’s best food cities!"

We saw this headline and knew we HAD to write this blog. How could we not? Now that The Hosteller has a new property in Mumbai, we are keeping an eye on every news related to it.

Now, if you are planning a visit to the city of dreams for its food, you must know that the street food here is as diverse as the city itself. So, as Mumbaikars, we decided to guide non-Mumbaikars about everything related to Mumbai street food. But before that, if you plan to visit Mumbai and aren’t sure where to stay, book at The Hosteller Mumbai. Why, you ask? Because it’s affordable, in a prime location, and our domes and rooms are simply delightful. So book now! (ye dhamki hai).

Okay! Now we can start.

The pav family

One day, Mumbaikars will wrap the whole city in pav and call it Mumbai Pav (We hope we don’t). Mumbaikars can stuff anything into pav and make it taste amazing. From the iconic vada pav to Pav bhaji, Misal pav, Bhaji pav, Anda pav, Kheema pav, Masala pav – the list is endless. Sure, we’re obsessed with pav, but trust us, each dish brings its own unique flavors.
Here are some must-try from the Pav family.

1) Vada pav

Mumbai ki jaan basti hai vada pav mai! This little snack, found near railway stations, bus stops, and on every street corner, carries the city's true spirit. Mumbaikars are always on the move, but Vada pav is like their 5-minute break – before they dive back into the hustle again.

Vada pav in making

2) Pav bhaji

A tangy, spicy bhaji served with soft, buttery pav— pav bhaji is a must-try in Mumbai! This iconic dish has an interesting history. It started as a late-night meal for workers, mixing leftover vegetables with spices and serving them with pav. Over time, it became popular across the city—and that's how we got our beloved Pav bhaji!

3) Bombay sandwich

Mostly these sandwiches are vegetarian. Spicy pudina chutney makes it different from rest. The best way to have Bombay sandwich is toasted sandwich when the edges become crispy and butter over it eaten with pudina and red chutney. Just grab one and explore the city.

4) Kheema pav

Chicken kheema ho ya Mutton kheema Bambai style Kheema pav is best to be eaten late at night. Kheema pav from Irani bakeries is iconic. And we already have written a blog on this- “A foodie's guide to Mumbai’s top Parsi & Irani restaurants”. You can also find it on the buzzling streets of Mumbai.
A gentle reminder- please have an antacid before eating.

5) Misal pav

मिसळ. It’s ळ not ल. The non-Mumbaikars struggle starts from pronouncing the word correctly and then moves on to handling spice tolerance. Because Misal is supposed to be spicy. Very very spicy. Hence we are again reminding you to carry antacids.

These were some of the many must try Mumbai street food items from Pav. But as we say Mumbai kuch bhi pav mai daalke kha sakt hai.

Spicy Misal pav

The Chaat Family

(Mumbai ki chaat khake ungliya chaat-te reh jaoge!)

Chaat in Mumbai means Pani puri, Dahi puri, Sev puri, Bhel, Ragda puri – and everything in between. What makes Bambaiya chaat stand out is ragda. The chaat wale bhaiya piles up a mountain of ragda (made from white peas), digs into the middle, and pours water over it. Watching the whole process is oddly satisfying! Some must try from this family are-

Mumbai roadside Pani puri stall

1) Pani puri- 

Real stress is when you have a Pani puri in your mouth, a Pani puri in your hand, a pani puri in your bowl, and the Pani puri wala bhaiya is standing with one in his hand.

Reminder– Many Pani puri vendors in Mumbai use ragda, which makes it different from Golgappe or Puchka.

2) Dahi puri

We challenge you to eat dahi puri without letting dahi ooze out of your mouth. But that’s the real fun! When the puri is filled with ragda, all the chutneys, sev, and topped with dahi – it has to taste amazing.

Delicious Dahi puri

3) Bhel puri

It’s not exactly unknown to the world now – you’ll find it everywhere. But samundar kinare, chaupati pe baithke with your loved ones (or alone) Bhel khane ka maja Mumbai mai hi milega.

4) Sev puri

It’s not something people order right away, but after eating everything else, they say – "Ek plate sev puri bhi le lete hai."
Note- Mumbai ke chaat wale bhaiya is kind enough to give one extra sukha puri!

The Chinese family

Do you know what keeps Mumbai’s cabbage sellers happy? Chinese food! Everything is so packed with cabbage but it's equally delicious too. The menu includes a different variety of Fried rice, Chinese bhel, a variety of noodles, Manchow soup, Manchurian-gravy and dry, and soooo on. It's quick, affordable and packed with flavors (and cabbage).

“Time pass” is a must
Every true Indian Chinese restaurant offers 'time pass'—fried noodles served with Schezwan chutney before the food arrives. (If they are not giving, then ask them, it's your right).

Streetstyle Chinese stall

South Indian family

Mumbaikars love South Indian food! From fancy restaurants to street vendors, there are a lot of options available. Some people pack it in tiffins, some grab it for breakfast on the go, and for some, it’s a Sunday morning breakfast.

1) Idli

Every morning, the Idli wale bhaiya cycles through neighborhoods, honking his signature horn to let people know Idli wale bhaiya aaye hai. There are stalls near railway stations, bus stops, and small eateries all across the city selling fresh, hot, soft Idli.

OG way of having Idli-vada

2) Dosa 

Mumbaikars love Dosa with sambar and Chutney. While you’ll find many fusion dosas, some places serve authentic ones too.

3) Medu vada

Or Mendu vada! Crispy Medu vada dipped in Sambar and Chutney, served on a steel plate. It tastes like heaven in your belly.

4) Fusion dosas

Mumbai has created its own twist on Dosas with tons of versions! Pizza dosa, Pav bhaji dosa, Cheese dosa, American chopsuey dosa, Masti dosa, Hara bhara paneer dosa and even Dilkhush dosa. If you want something different, try one of these unique flavors.

Fusion Dosa

Some OG streetfood

Vada pav, Pav bhaji are about 100 years old. But what did people eat before that? Here are some traditional Maharashtrian dishes you can still find on Mumbai streets.

1) Kothimbir wadi

Kothimbir means coriander in Marathi. This snack is made by chopping fresh coriander and mixing it with dry spices.
Note- Some people add too much besan while making it, but the authentic ones have very little besan.

2) Bheja fry

A dish made from goat brains sauteed with onions, tomatoes, and spices. Sounds a little unusual, but locals love it! It’s usually eaten with bhakri or pav.

3) Bombil fry

Bombil is known as Bombay duck – not an actual duck! The name comes from Bombay-daak, because this fish used to be transported from Mumbai to other cities through Indian mail trains. This fish is soo soft that it melts in the mouth and it's best to be eaten with bhakri.

4) Sabudana vada

Sabudana is often eaten during fasting – fast mai ye milne wala ho toh hum to roj fast karne ko taiyyar hai! Crispy on the outside, soft inside, and perfect with green chutney and dahi.

5) Pohe/Upma

Outside every Mumbai railway station, you’ll find aunties selling homemade Poha and Upma. As many people don’t have time to prepare breakfast, they grab a quick bite or pack it in their tiffins.

Streetstyle poha

Late-night street food

Ye sapno ki nagri kabhi soti nahi hai and so do its people. Hence, the food here hits differently when the clock strikes midnight. If you are coming from a night shift or party or just craving good food, you will get a lot of options. From pav bhaji, idli, dosa, rolls to everything in between, you will find many street vendors across the city.

So next time you visit Mumbai, TRY EVERYTHING – you won’t regret it (just carry some antacids for backup!). And if you’re looking for a comfortable, affordable, and relaxing stay, check out The Hosteller Mumbai – just a 10-minute drive from Mumbai International Airport.

Bhetuya lavkar! (Let’s meet soon!)