Mumbai City Guide
Mumbai (aka Bombay) is a vibrant (and India's most populous) city with a diverse set of culture, historical landmarks, food, and of course Bollywood.
Here are some of our favorite things to do when visiting Mumbai:
Table Of Contents
See
- Gateway of India
- Fish Market (Sassoon Dock)
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
- Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
- Haji Ali Dargah
- Dhobi Ghat
- Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum
- Dadar Flower Market
- Holy Name Cathedral
- St. Xaviers College
- When To Go
Eat
- Bombay Canteen
- Zen Cafe
- Blue Tokai
- San Qi
- Naturals Ice Cream
- Cafe Madras
- Mani’s Lunch Home Veg Restaurant
- Thirsty City 127
Stay
See
Gateway of India
Built to commemorate King George V’s royal visit in 1911 - this beautiful gateway is one of many Mumbai local gathering spots. You’ll see all sorts of people here at all times a day. It’s a great place for people watching and for watching the dreamy Mumbai sunset.
Fish Market (Sassoon Dock)
If you can manage the pungent smell of the Sassoon Docks, it’s worth checking out one of the oldest and largest wholesale fish markets in Mumbai.
The activities start around 5 am where you’ll see everything from colorfully clad fisherman loading and sorting catches from picturesque trawlers to women in pastel saris sitting in circles peeling gigantic mounds of shrimp.
Through it all there will be the hectic chaos of a market and unending stalls with vendors selling all types of fresh seafood.
If you’re a photographer, this is a must see. Just be prepared for the intense smell.. I warned ya! :)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Built during the British ruled era of India, the main train terminal of Mumbai combined Indian and Gothic Revival architecture to showcase the best of both worlds. There are gargoyles on the facade as well as lions guarding the entrance.
It was originally named Victoria Terminus but later renamed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus after a famous Maratha warrior ruler.
It’s also the second most photographed building in India after the Taj Mahal!
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
One the most iconic hotels in all of India, this is the flagship hotel of the Taj group and located perfectly next to the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India.
It’s worth having a meal or a drink at the outdoor cafe in the back patio to take in the solace and beauty of the place.
Some famous guests and regulars were the Beatles, Mick Jagger, Tom Cruise, Barack Obama, and Sting.
There are also many great restaurants and bars here including Wasabi by Morimoto, Harbour Bar, Sea Lounge, and Golden Dragon.
Haji Ali Dargah
Only available to visit during low tide, this striking Indo-Islamic shrine is a popular place for locals. When we visited at sunset, we found that we were the only foreigners there amongst a sea of worshipers. A unique and authentic cultural experience for sure!
Dhobi Ghat
Considered the “World’s Largest Outdoor Laundry”, this famous neighborhood has been in many movies for its scenic backdrop of Washer-Men and countless rows of laundry.
Supposedly, half of Mumbai’s laundry is done here! Their customers include anything from hotels to hospitals as they are known for their punctuality and organizational skills.
To wash the clothes, they use the same system they’ve used for ages - usage of a flogging stone, caustic soda, and lots of water.
About the floggin stones - there are 731 of them, each which are co-owned by several families.
Why don't they use machines? Supposedly, they are frowned upon, but I definitely saw a few when I visited!
Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum
A architectural Rennaisance revival gem not mentioned in many guidebooks, this museum was built in 1872 with a focus on Mumbai’s history.
It was totally renovated in 2008 and was one of the highlights of Mumbai personally.
One of the new wings of the museum is pleasantly air conditioned, so it’s also a nice respite from the Mumbai heat!
Dadar Flower Market
This is the main wholesale flower market of Mumbai - so you're bound to see a vast array of interesting characters, colorful displays of flowers, and an interesting display of city life.
It's a good idea to get to the market at or before sunrise so you can experience the hustle and bustle, while avoiding the harsh, unforgiving Mumbai sun rays.
Prices are ridiculously cheap - you can get a whole basket (kg) of marigolds for 70 INR (1 USD)!
Holy Name Cathedral
Another architectural gem left out of many guidebooks, this lovely Catholic cathedral exudes charm and is bursting with color. It dates all the way back to the colonial era, boasting some amazing Gothic architecture.
St. Xaviers College
A wonderful example of Indo Gothic architecture, this campus causes envy in any visiting college student for sure!
As a tourist, it’s not really possible to visit the campus, so you’ll have to relegate yourself to viewing the sprawling campus from the outside gates.
When To Go
It rarely gets cold in Mumbai - in fact most of the the year it's quite hot and humid.
December through February offer the best chance of cool and dry weather conditions.
It starts to warm up in mid March with monsoon season going from mid June to end of August.
Eat
Bombay Canteen
Celebrity Chef Floyd Cardoz’s colorful cuisine at Bombay Canteen is a must if you’re in Mumbai. Not only is the interior lavishly decorated, but the food is an absolute hit.
Highlights include the Kerjiwal Toast, Tandoori Pork Ribs, and Grilled Calamari
Zen Cafe
A roomy and cute cafe with delicious specialty coffee and great food - Zen Cafe was a lovely respite from the Mumbai heat.
We loved the ravioli, freshly baked pastries, Ginger Tumeric Espresso, and Pour Over coffee.
Bonus: the wifi is fast here!
Blue Tokai
One of the best coffee roasted in India at the moment - if you love specialty coffee, definitely stop by Blue Tokai. They feature a good mix of Indian beans along with beans from all over the world.
Make sure to grab some artisanal chocolate while you’re there too!
San Qi
In what is likely the best Chinese/Japanese restaurant in all of Mumbai - the food here is outrageously authentic. You can get crispy Peking duck, freshly made dim sum, sweet miso cod, fresh sushi, and other Chinese / Japanese delicacies that are hard to find in India.
Being that I’m Taiwanese and a bit of a foodie, I was highly impressed with this restaurant.
That being said, the prices were pretty steep - but if you have the hankering for some delicious, authentic Chinese and Japanese food, this is the place to go.
Naturals Ice Cream
We probably had ice cream here once or twice per day.. it was THAT GOOD. Naturals Ice Cream emphasizes the usage of super fresh ingredients and top quality milk. As a result, you can really taste the freshness of each flavor. Our favorites here are usually mango, coconut, sitaphal (custard apple), black grape, litchi, and chickoo.
Cafe Madras
Recommended by a friend of mine, this lovely eatery specializing in South Indian fare was one of the more delicious places we tried.
They have so many varieties of dosa and Idli here!
Mani’s Lunch Home Veg Restaurant
Another recommendation by our friend in Mumbai - this completely vegetarian restaurant is known to have delicious and clean South Indian style food.
To get a good variety of things, get the South Indian Thali meal.
Thirsty City 127
One of the most beautiful bars in Mumbai, Thirsty City 127 is decked out in modern art-deco digs with a wonderful Great Gatsby vibe to it.
On top of it all, the bartenders are quite knowledgeable and can make a wide variety of off-menu cocktails for you.
One of my favorite drinks there was a smoked gin topped with fresh dill and tonic.
President IHCL SeleQtions
A solid member of the Taj Hotel family, this clean and comfortable hotel is located in the upscale Cuffe Parade area with many tourist attractions a short car ride away.
The rooms were comfortable, clean, and spacious featuring American or Japanese styling. The breakfast buffet was included in the room rate and was quite delicious!
There was a nice outdoor pool, 24/7 fitness center, and three nice restaurants in the hotel to dine at.
One of the benefits of staying here is that the business center has SIM cards that are pre-activated. This saves you a tremendous amount of time, since trying to get a SIM card at a mobile shop in India is a serious headache and time waster.
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
One of Mumbai’s most celebrated and iconic hotels, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is perfectly situated on the Arabian Sea and next to the Gateway of India.
Inside, the architecture of the hotel is quite regal and stunning. From the picture perfect garden cafe, the iconic pool, and beautifully appointed rooms - you’ll be swept away by the elegance of the whole place.
You can choose from the original Heritage rooms, which have more old fashioned charm, or the more modern Tower rooms which have a more modern feel to them.
Service is spectacular here - with the staff having just the perfect amount of helpfulness and attentiveness.
Tip: Make sure to ask if they have pre-registered SIM cards available for purchase. This will save you a tremendous amount of time and hassle over going to a mobile phone shop in Mumbai to get a SIM.
You’ll be spoiled for choice here when it comes to food with high end Japanese covered by Wasabi by Morimoto, Souk on the Tower rooftop for Mediterranean, and Golden Dragon for delicious Asian food. The breakfast buffet is one of the best in India for sure.
Four Seasons
This luxury hotel features a rooftop pool oasis, comfortable rooms, beautiful lobby, amazing service, and some of the best food I had during my stay in Mumbai.
Service was attentive and had more of a luxurious Western feel to it, compared to other luxury hotels in India.
I especially loved the gorgeous and private rooftop pool. It was rarely packed and was perfect for the Mumbai heat.
Make sure you stop by San Qi, the Chinese Japanese restaurant, for some of the most delicious Asian food in India.
shop
Westside
Zory calls the Westside stores “The Target of India” - these chain stores offer a great selection of home decor, contemporary and traditional fashion for men and women. The stores have AC (great on a hot day!) and fitting rooms to try clothes on. The prices are quite reasonable for the quality too! Best of all.. no haggling needed.
Favorite Mumbai Location: Westside, Army and Navy Building, Kala Ghoda
Cord Store Mumbai
This cute little boutique in Kala Ghoda is a must. You’ll find leather goods and a great selection of women’s fashion.
Address: Commerce House, 21, Saibaba Rd, Kala Ghoda
