Mumbai loves its Udipi joints, what with the generous portions of coconut chutney and sambhar and the fluffy idlis and dosas. Most of the Mumbaikars wake up and smell that filter kaapi, and voila! The day already begins to brighten up. Whether you’re a lover of all things South Indian or find dosas and idlis to be the best breakfast, lunch and dinner, we’ve collated a list of the best South Indian restaurants in Mumbai that you must visit.
13 Best South Indian Restaurants In Mumbai For Hot Filter Kaapi & Crispy Dosas
Overview
- 1. Ram Ashray, Matunga
- 2. Arya Bhavan, Matunga
- 3. Mani's Lunch Home, Chembur
- 4. Vrindavan Cafe, Khar
- 5. Cafe Mysore, Matunga
- 6. Cafe Madras, Matunga
- 7. Dakshinayan, Juhu
- 8. Banana Leaf, Versova
- 9. Ayyappan Idli Stall, Matunga
- 10. Vanakkam Vihar, Girgaum
- 11. Mutuswami, Khar
- 12. Poornima, Fort
- 13. The Tanjore Tiffin Room
Here's A List Of 13 Best South Indian Restaurants In Mumbai
Ram Ashray, Matunga
This place is every Mumbaikar’s go-to South Indian eatery. It opens its gate as early as 5 AM, and by 6 AM, it is already swarming with foodies. It's very close to the Matunga station and you'll always find crowd outside. When you're here, you have to try the pineapple, badam, and banana sheera, rasam podi, medu vadai, and Mysore saada dosa here for sure.
Price For Two: INR 200
Rating: 4.4/5
Timings: 6 AM to 9 PM
Must-try dishes: Filtered Coffee, Pineapple Sheera, Idli, Neer Dosa, Mysore Masala Dosa, Vada
Social Media: Instagram
Arya Bhavan, Matunga
This no-frills place serves one of the best filter kaapi in the city. From the first look of it, you might find it small, but they offer vast choices in the menu. The bisi belle bhaath, Mysore masala dosa, and malga pudi are not to be missed.
Price For Two: INR 400
Rating: 4.4/5
Timings: 7 AM to 11 PM
Must-try dishes: Filtered Coffee, Idli, Pav Bhaji, Pineapple Sheera, Mysore Masala Dosa, Rasam Vada, Appam
Social Media: Instagram
Mani's Lunch Home, Chembur
With affordable prices, this iconic restaurant was one of the priced gems of Matunga’s famous South-Indian cuisine belt. Although it is in Chembur, it is thriving and how! With idli sambhar for INR 70 and their most expensive dish priced at INR 145 (their dosas and uttapam), it’s like we’re back in the 90s.
Price For Two: INR 200
Rating: 4.3/5
Timings: 7:30 AM to 10 PM
Must-try dishes: Mysore Pak, Medu Vada, Neer Dosa, Pongal, Onion Uttapam, Rasam Vada
Social Media: Facebook
Vrindavan Cafe, Khar
The pure vegetarian restaurant is a humble but clean and efficient South Indian eatery. More than enough wooden stools and tables mean that it’s always fairly easy to find a place to sit in this well-lit eatery. The food includes typical South Indian snacks such as idli sambhar and upma, as well as Maharashtrian snacks such as Puneri misal and shrikhand puri. Besides the typical and long list of dosa and uthapam varieties, also look out for unique takes such as the methi palak uthapam.
Price For Two: INR 500
Rating: 4.1/5
Timings: 8 AM to 12 AM
Must-try dishes: Masala Dosa, Filtered Coffee, Idli Sambar
Cafe Mysore, Matunga
From rasam vadas to idli gadbad, neer dosa and pineapple sheera (it makes a comeback), Cafe Mysore is a quaint joint where you can spot people of all age groups enjoying the delicious southern flavours. Since it’s one of the oldest Udipi hotels around, pretty much everyone living in and around Matunga (and every south Indian) has eaten here at least once.
Price For Two: INR 500
Rating: 4.2/5
Timings: 7 AM to 10 PM
Must-try dishes: Filter Coffee, Pineapple Sheera, Idli, Rasam Vada, Rava Dosa, Mysore Dosa, Masala Dosa
Social Media: Instagram
Cafe Madras, Matunga
Cafe Madras is a beloved city institution. The long lines that form outside the cafe every morning when it opens at 7 AM are a testament to its evergreen popularity. Buttery idlis and tangy sambhar come together in this quaint little eatery to keep us hooked and coming back for more.
Price For Two: INR 250
Rating: 4.4/5
Timings: 7 AM to 2:45 PM and 4 PM to 10:30 PM
Must-try dishes: Pineapple Sheera, Idli, Masala Dosa, Neer Dosa, Rasam Vada
Social Media: Instagram
Dakshinayan, Juhu
One of the best places in Mumbai for South Indian fare, this restaurant is known for its famous Molgapodi Idli (mini idlis seasoned with gunpowder and a generous amount of ghee), Rava Garlic Masala Dosa, Rava Garlic Dosa, and Mixed Uttapam. It is located inside Anand Hostel and midway between Juhu Beach and the ISKCON Temple. You can also try their rasam vadas, pongal, and tomato sevaiya. The place is a bit on the higher side in terms of price, but the food and the ambience settle the score!
Price For Two: INR 700
Rating: 4.4/5
Timings: 8 AM to 10:45 PM
Must-try dishes: Molgapodi Idli, Rava Garlic Masala Dosa, Rava Garlic Dosa and Mixed Uttapam
Social Media: Instagram
Banana Leaf, Versova
If you're looking to try some modern South Indian fare, check out this restaurant that has branches in Versova, Ghatkopar, Borivali, and more. We tried their thali (divine!), Mughlai idli, Coorg idli, Appam, Rajni Dosa, and their uttapams and can safely say that they are worth a visit. The bonus here is that their rasam stands out!
Price For Two: INR 1,000
Rating: 4.2/5
Timings: 8 AM to 11 AM
Must-try dishes: Thali, Filtered Coffee, Appam, Neer Dosa, Uttapam, Coorg Idli, Idli Platter
Social Media: InstagramAyyappan Idli Stall, Matunga
A true hidden gem in the city, you'll find all types of idlis, uttapams, and dosas. What we love is that they even have varieties like the Chinese uttapam and even something like the pizza uttapam that one can try. It's fresh and served hot, and their filter coffee is also a treat to the senses.
Price For Two: INR 250
Rating: 4.2/5
Timings: 7 AM to 11 PM
Must-try dishes: Idli, Medu Vada, Pineapple Sheera, Filtered Coffee, Mysore Dosa, Upma, Pongal
Vanakkam Vihar, Girgaum
Vanakkam Vihar is a hidden gem near the Royal Opera House, and it is a saviour for the late-night eaters. It is open until late and offers freshly made South Indian food in a clean and quiet setting. The ambience provides an authentic experience with waiters in traditional South Indian attire. And they're happy to explain to you how your meal is prepared if you are curious.
Price For Two: INR 600
Rating: 4/5
Timings: 8 AM to 11 PM
Must-try dishes: Filtered Coffee, Appam, Curd Rice, Neer Dosa, Sambhar
Social Media: Instagram
Mutuswami, Khar
South Indian cuisine resides in the heart of every Indian food connoisseur, and Mutuswami is here to elevate its stature even more. It’s a casual dining place with a contemporary ambience that pays homage to South's flavours. Their menu is classic and offers some great options like green pav bhaji, neer dosa, podi idli, and coin idli.
Price For Two: INR 500
Rating: 4.5/5
Timings: 7 AM to 11:30 PM
Must-try dishes: Neer Dosa, Podi Idli, Sabudana Khichdi, Sheera
Social Media: Instagram
Poornima, Fort
This restaurant has become a regular go-to for office-goers and is known for its affordable and wholesome South Indian thali that you can get for just INR 120. It is enough for a person as it comes with two chapatis, rice, both veg and nonveg subzi, dal, sambhar, rasam, chutney, chaas, and more. You can comfortably dine in at any of the three floors and have the best South Indian fare in peace.
Price For Two: INR 200
Rating: 4.4/5
Timings: 7:30 AM to 8 PM
Must-try dishes: Filtered Coffee, Curd Rice, Sambar, Vada, Thali, and Dosa
The Tanjore Tiffin Room
The Tanjore Tiffin Room is where you will be introduced to a lot of South Indian curries you might not have had before. These curries will range from nice and sharp with a tamarind base all the way to thick and rich Khorma that will change your perception of South Indian curries altogether. You can then have it with fish, prawns, chicken, mutton, or veggies and your choice of rice. All in all, a must-visit fine restaurant if you wish to try South Indian non-veg specialties.
Price For Two: INR 1,800
Rating: 4.4/5
Timings: 12 PM to 1:30 AM
Must-try dishes: Madras Chicken, Railway Chicken, Gun Powder Idli, Mysore Pak, Chettinad Gravy, Tamarind Rice
Social Media: Instagram
