Few other Mumbai neighbourhoods inspire the sort of love that Bandra does. Most big cities tend to have an area where the creative community congregates; in Mumbai, Bandra is that neighbourhood. Shilarna Vaze, chef and caterer of Gaia Gourmet, takes us on a journey to some of her all-time favourites in Bandra’s bustling culinary scene. As she puts it, “Anyone doing something new such as bespoke coffee, Korean food or nouvelle Indian, will first try it in Bandra. Maybe it’s the people here—they’re more open-minded. But whatever the case, Bandra truly is one of the best places to get everything from a drink at a local hole in the wall to a fancy meal at a posh restaurant”.
Discover Bandra’s Best Eateries: A Renowned Mumbai Chef’s Top Picks
Overview
Kitchen Garden By Suzette
"Kitchen Garden is an absolute favourite. Run by husband-wife-and-friend trio Jérémie Sabbagh, Antonia Achache, and Pierre Labail, it’s the perfect place to have amazing, fresh juices. While the menu is completely nutrition-led with all manner of organic, dairy and gluten-free goods up for grabs, there are some decadent treats too, like the heavenly apple raspberry compote with mascarpone, Greek yoghurt and crumble, and their fresh croissants are a must."
Cost For Two: INR 1200
Google Rating: 4.4/5
Timings: 8 AM to 11:30 PM
Best dishes to try: Chicken Pesto Sandwich, Ham Sandwich, Avocado Toast, Smoothies, Salads, Coffee
Instagram: @kitchengardenbysuzette
Koinonia Coffee Roasters
"Tucked away in the narrow streets of Bandra’s Chuim Village is this coffee hotspot. Koinonia sells coffees from estates in Marvahulla in Tamil Nadu, Poabs in Kerala and Kelagur and Badra in Karnataka. They also roast the coffee themselves. I’m married to a Swiss guy who is always craving good coffee, and Clement and his partners are doing a great job of fixing this gap."
Cost For Two: INR 600
Google Rating: 4.6/5
Timings: 7 AM to 10 PM
Best dishes to try: Flat White Coffee, Chocolate Croissant, Hot Coffee
Instagram: @kcroasters
Janata Bar + Jaihind Lunch Home
"Janta Bar is the suburb’s only local watering hole where heaps of cash-strapped college kids hang out, and it is that local joint that you never go to, but you can always order alcohol from at any point of day or night. Jaihind, opposite Janta Bar, is a fail-proof local seafood joint. Standouts here include bombil fry, prawn curry, tisrya, Koliwada prawn, steamed banana leaf fish and sol kadi."
Cost For Two: INR 850
Google Rating: 4.2/5
Timings: 11 AM to 1 AM
Best dishes to try: Chicken Sukka, Chicken Lollipop, Prawns, Snacks
The Yoga House
"The Yoga House is a great place to hang out post yoga or after a hectic workout. Aside from their healthy menu of quinoa burgers and feta sandwiches, there are excellent cups of coffee and smoothies to look forward to here."
Cost For Two: INR
Google Rating: 4.8/5
Timings: 8 AM to 10 PM
Best dishes to try: Hash Brown, Mozzarella Sandwich, Summer Salad
Instagram: @theyogahousemumbai
LBB tip: They host regular yoga and meditation sessions; know more about them here.
Bastian
At Chef Kelvin Cheung’s Bastian, seafood is the real star. Bastian’s amazing crab and lobster dishes—specifically the ‘under the bridge crab’ are a culinary tribute to the inventiveness of fishermen in Hong Kong, who created a stellar dish stir-frying staples like shallots, garlic and dry chillies. Another stand out here is the cheesecake. Check out their Instagram here.
Cost For Two: INR 4000
Google Rating: 4.4/5
Timings: 12 PM to 4:30 PM and 7 PM to 1 AM
Best dishes to try: Lobster Roll, Bacon Kimchi Fried Rice, Pork Mazeman Bowl, Lotus Kunafa Cheesecake
LBB-tip: They also have a private dining room that can be reserved for those who prefer a more intimate setting.This recommendation was first posted on Nicobar.
Benne
"Benne has become quite literally Bandra’s celeb-favourite spot. Owned by husband and wife duo Akhil Iyer and Shriya Narayan, this small darshini packs quite a culinary punch. If you’re looking for really authentic Bangalore-style South Indian, then a meal at Benne is a must—their fluffy Benne dosa, ghee podi idli and filter coffee top the list of things you must order."
Cost For Two: INR 500
Google Rating: 4.2/5
Timings: 7 AM to 3:30 PM and 5 PM to 11:30 PM (Monday closed)
Best dishes to try: Benne Dosa, Ghee Podi Idli, Mysore Pak, and Iced Filter Coffee
Contact: +919004676941
Instagram: @benne.bombay
LBB tip: To avoid long queues, we suggest getting there in the morning for a delicious breakfast.
Gustoso
"If you want a taste of Italy but don't have any plans to travel there anytime soon, go to Gustoso. Wood-fired pizzas with an intense smoky flavour. Involtini di pollo in white wine butter sauce. Ravioli. Bruschetta. Gustoso embraces Italian culture and its cuisine like no other. And while the main course is the star here, their desserts and cocktails are no less than an experience."
Cost For Two: INR 3500
Google Rating: 4.2/5
Timings: 12 PM to 3 PM and 7 PM to 12 AM
Best dishes to try: Pappardelle Alla Bolognese, Spaghetti Aglio Olio E Peperoncino, Casarecce All' Arrabbiata, Prosciutto Di Parma
The LoveFools
"If you're done dining in at traditional restaurants, try having a meal at The LoveFools. Perfect for your next date, the cafe is housed inside a bungalow for an intimate dining experience with its vintage vibes. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, throwing a baby shower, or just want to go on a date with your partner, The LoveFools is the place to be."
Cost For Two: INR 1000
Google Rating: 4.1/5
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM and 7 PM to 12 AM (Monday closed)
Best dishes to try: Pomodoro Blanco, Yuzu Kinoko Tempura Salad, Harissa Sunrise, Plancha, Pancake, Banana Bread
Instagram: @thelovefools
drnk
"Most coffee shops just stick to cold brews and cappuccinos, whereas Drnk's menu is like a beverage playground, with options like banana pudding matcha and tiramisu latte that got viral on social media instantly. Their slushy is not only made with premium ingredients and is super tasty, but it's 50% lower in calories than regular cafe ones. You can pair the drinks with their bite-sized finger foods that are equally good."
Cost For Two: INR 800
Google Rating: 3.9/5
Timings: 11 AM to 11 PM
Best dishes to try: Tiramisu Latte, Hot Girl Matcha, Truffle Fries, Bang Bang Sandwich
Contact: 085914 09819
Instagram: @getdrnk.in
Bene Pizza & Pastry
"At Bene Pizza & Pastry, Italian craft gets a Mumbai twist. Pizza chef Simon and pastry chef Sana are serving authentic Roman-style pizzas with ingredients imported from Italy and elegant desserts like eggless macarons and buttery tarts. We surprisingly loved their Sanita pizza, which is actually vegan and cheese-free, but so full of flavour, while their dips are worth ordering separately. The place is small but worth visiting once."
Cost For Two: INR 1,000
Google Rating: 4.6/5
Timings: 2 PM to 10 PM (Tues closed)
Best dishes to try: Sanita, Bombay Onion Masala, Pepperoni, Macarons, Tiramisu Tart
Instagram: @youmeandbene
Santa Maria
"This tiny Ranwar Village joint is Mumbai's best-kept sando secret. Everything at Santa Maria, from the bread and spices, is made in-house. The place is simple, but deeply tied to Bandra's heritage, all thanks to its old-school interiors. Come here for the artisanal meats, in-house-made focaccia, and sandwiches that feel like a love letter to the old Bandra."
Cost For Two: INR 1,000
Google Rating: 4.6/5
Timings: 11 AM to 11 PM (Mon closed)
Best dishes to try: Any of their Sandos
Instagram: @santamaria_bombay
Crumblet
"Crumblet is the kind of place that does small-batch, handcrafted desserts, and has a menu that changes often, so there's always something new to try every time you come here. Their stuffed cookies are solid; they have gooey centres, crisp edges, and flavours that aren't your usual, like Biscoff and dark chocolate sea salt. Grab a coffee, pick a treat, and relax in a quiet corner."
Cost For Two: INR 800
Google Rating: 5/5
Timings: 3 PM to 12 AM
Best dishes to try: Cookies, Hot Chocolate, Chocolate Cake
Instagram: @crumbletbakery
The last seven additions were made exclusive to Chef's recommendations.
