Best Street Foods of Mumbai: 39 Legendary Dishes That’ll Steal Your Heart

Bustling, chaotic, flavorful—Mumbai’s street food isn’t just about eating; it’s about living. As India’s financial capital, Mumbai draws people from every corner of the country, and that diversity is reflected on every corner of its vibrant streets. From food carts outside office buildings to roadside stalls near beaches, the best street foods of Mumbai are as varied as its people, and as rich as its history.

So whether you’re a die-hard foodie, a traveler, or a curious soul wandering the bylanes of this metropolis, here’s your ultimate guide to devouring the city, one bite at a time.

Best Street Foods of Mumbai

Let’s jump into the spicy, sweet, crunchy, and soul-warming world of the best street foods of Mumbai. Trust us—your taste buds are in for a thrill.

The Heartbeat of Mumbai: What Makes Its Street Food Legendary?

Mumbai’s street food is not just about taste. It’s about affordability, accessibility, and authenticity. It’s food cooked in real time, served hot, and packed with flavors that embody the city’s multicultural essence. The influence of Gujarati, Maharashtrian, South Indian, Mughlai, and even Chinese cuisine can be found sizzling in hot tawas across the city.

And here's the thing—each dish has a story. One of survival, community, and love.

Exploring Mumbai Through Its Chaats: A Flavor Bomb of Tangy Treats

When in Mumbai, you simply can’t miss chaat. It's the ultimate flavor explosion: tangy, spicy, sweet, crunchy, and refreshing. Head to Chowpatty Beach or Elco Market, and indulge in:

• Pani Puri: Crispy hollow balls filled with spicy tamarind water.

• Dahi Puri: A yogurt-laden version that’s creamy and cool.

• Bhel Puri: Puffed rice tossed with onions, tomatoes, sev

Each bite is chaos—in the best way possible.

Vada Pav: The Burger of Bombay

This isn’t just food. It’s a movement.

Mumbai’s iconic vada pav is a spicy potato patty, deep-fried in besan batter and stuffed in a pav (bun), served with dry garlic pickle and green chili. It’s the lifeblood of the city’s working class and a favorite across all economic classes.

You’ll find the best vada pavs outside train stations like Dadar, CST, and Andheri.

Pav Bhaji: Buttery Bliss on a Plate

Imagine a medley of mashed vegetables, slow-cooked with butter and spices, served with butter-toasted buns and chopped onions. That’s pav bhaji for you—Mumbai’s ultimate comfort food.

The smell alone will lure you from streets away. Try it at Sardar Pav Bhaji (Tardeo) or Cannon Pav Bhaji near CST station.

Bhel Puri & Sev Puri: Crunchy, Tangy, and Irresistible

Two sides of the same crunchy coin, both iconic:

• Bhel Puri: A lighter snack with puffed rice, veggies.

• Sev Puri: Puri discs topped with potatoes, onions and heaps of sev.

Perfect for snacking as you stroll Marine Drive or Bandstand.

Misal Pav: A Spicy Affair to Remember

A Maharashtrian specialty, misal pav is a fiery sprout curry topped with farsan (crunchy snacks), served with pav and a side of lemon and onions. It’s not for the faint-hearted—unless you go for the mildly spicy version.

Head to Aaswad or Mamledar Misal for the full experience.

Dabeli: Gujarat’s Gift to Mumbai

Originating from Kutch, dabeli is a sweet-spicy potato mixture stuffed in pav and topped with pomegranate, peanuts. It’s like a flavor-packed sandwich you didn’t know you needed.

Ragda Pattice: Royalty in a Paper Plate

Soft potato patties topped with ragda (white peas curry), chopped onions, spicy-sweet , and sev. This dish is a masterclass in contrasts—hot and cold, crunchy and soft.

Bombay Sandwich: A Layered Legend

Vegetable sandwiches like no other—layered with beetroot, cucumber, potatoes, mint , and a sprinkle of chaat masala. Then grilled to perfection or served cold.

Popular at Churchgate and outside colleges across Mumbai.

Frankie Rolls: The Indian Wrap Revolution

These spicy, flaky, stuffed rolls are a Mumbaikar’s quick fix. Choose from vegetarian, chicken, or mutton fillings, wrapped in egg-coated rotis. A creation by Tibbs Frankie, now a citywide sensation.

Kanda Bhaji: Rainy Day Comfort Food

Rainy evenings, chai, and kanda bhaji (onion fritters) are a love story that Mumbaikars swear by. Crunchy, salty, and addictive.

Mumbai’s Chinese Street Food Fusion

Ever had Manchurian in a pav? Mumbai’s Indo-Chinese stalls do that and more. Think Hakka noodles, chili chicken, and triple rice—all with a spicy desi twist.

Tandoori Momos: Delhi Meets Dadar

A recent entrant, tandoori momos have taken the city by storm. Stuffed dumplings grilled to perfection and slathered with masala—utterly mouthwatering.

Kebabs and Seekh Rolls: Minced Magic from Mohammed Ali Road

Come Ramzan or not, Mohammed Ali Road is the mecca for non-veg street food. Think juicy seekh kebabs, chicken tikka rolls, and melt-in-your-mouth mutton kebabs.

Keema Pav: Mumbai’s Meaty Marvel

Spicy minced meat curry served with pav—ideal for a hearty breakfast or midnight snack. Olympia Coffee House in Colaba serves one of the best.

Chicken Lollipops: The Crowd’s Crunchy Favorite

Marinated, deep-fried chicken wings with a spicy kick. Perfectly paired with schezwan sauce, these are must-haves at food trucks and college canteens.

Egg Bhurji Pav: The Breakfast of Champions

Scrambled eggs, Mumbai-style. Spicy, buttery, and paired with soft pav—served best near railway stations or late-night stalls.

South Indian Staples on the Streets: Idli, Dosa & More

From crispy dosas to soft idlis and spicy sambhar—South Indian breakfasts are easily found at food stalls like Anand Stall (opposite Mithibai College).

Bombay Halwais: Sweetness Served by the Kilo

The city’s street sweet shops offer everything from milk cakes to sohan papdi. Ideal for a quick sugar fix or gifting.

Jalebi & Fafda: Sweet Meets Savory

Gujarat meets Mumbai with this crunchy-sweet combo, mostly enjoyed during festivals or early morning food runs.

Malpua, Imarti & Other Syrupy Sweets

Deep-fried, syrup-drenched delights that melt in your mouth. Visit Mohammad Ali Road or Bhendi Bazaar during festive months.

Kulfi & Falooda: Summer’s Frozen Love Letters

When the Mumbai heat gets unbearable, locals turn to kulfi (dense Indian ice cream) or falooda (rose milk, vermicelli, basil seeds). Delightful, rich, and very Instagram-worthy.

Cutting Chai & Bun Maska: The Eternal Combo

Every Mumbaikar lives on cutting chai—half a cup of strong, spiced tea. Add a bun maska (butter bun) and your soul gets nourished.

Sugarcane Juice, Masala Chaas & Other Refreshing Sips

Street drinks in Mumbai are no joke. From freshly crushed sugarcane juice to spicy masala chaas, you’ll find hydration with flavor at every turn. Try nimbu pani with black salt during scorching afternoons.

Mumbai’s Coastal Flavors: Fish Fry, Bombil, and More

Mumbai being a coastal city means seafood is king. Especially in areas like Mahim and Versova, you’ll find fried bombil (Bombay duck), tandoori pomfret, and spicy fish curries served hot at open-air stalls.

Vegetarian Paradise: Why Plant-Based Food Rules Mumbai Streets

Mumbai is incredibly veg-friendly. From Jain bhel to sabudana khichdi during fasts, the city thrives on inventive and delicious vegetarian fare, proving you don’t need meat for flavor.

Late Night Street Food in Mumbai

The city doesn’t sleep—and neither do its food stalls. Khau gallis in Ghatkopar and CST serve steaming pav bhaji, egg rolls, and kebabs till 2 AM. Even Marine Drive hosts chaiwalas through the night.

Iconic Food Streets: Khau Gallis of Mumbai

The term "khau galli" literally means "food alley," and these streets are heaven for foodies:

• Ghatkopar Khau Galli: Famous for dosas and fusion Indian-Chinese.

• CST Khau Galli: Fast bites for office-goers.

• Zaveri Bazaar & Bhuleshwar: Traditional vegetarian delights.

Hygiene & Safety Tips for Enjoying Mumbai’s Street Food

• Always choose crowded stalls—they have high turnover and fresher food.

• Prefer cooked or fried items.

• Carry bottled water and napkins.

Budgeting Your Street Food Tour in Mumbai

Good news—street food in Mumbai is cheap.