Mumbai

Mumbai is a city where the old and new coexist in perfect harmony, from its historic bazaars to its cutting-edge malls. The hustle and bustle are matched only by its vibrant nightlife, making it a global hub for both business and pleasure. The city’s street food is legendary, with dishes like Vada Pav and Pani Puri being some of the most iconic snacks. While Bollywood dominates the entertainment scene, the city is also home to rich cultural traditions, making it a true melting pot of art, food, and fashion. With iconic sites like Marine Drive and the Gateway of India, Mumbai offers a stunning view of the Arabian Sea. Mumbai is a city that never sleeps—its markets, restaurants, and nightlife hum with life at all hours of the day and night.

🇮🇳

Currency

Indian Rupee (INR) ₹

Best Time

October to February

Population

20 million

Weather °C

27.2

“Mumbai is a bustling metropolis where the spirit of resilience thrives; its streets echo with the dreams of millions, and its diverse culture shapes a unique narrative. With a blend of history, chaos, and creativity, Mumbai offers an exhilarating experience that reflects the heart and soul of India.”

Off the beaten path places in

Mumbai

“Mumbai is the result of seven islands on the Konkan coastline that joined over time. The city’s eclectic nature is symbolized with the presence of the globally influential Bollywood film industry. Mumbai is truly an Indian cosmopolitan city with a sense of busyness that never sleeps. ”

Local Mumbai

Bollywood, street food, and cultural diversity.

Mumbai is home to the world’s most expensive house, Antilia, which is owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani.

Mumbai is India's financial and entertainment capital, a sprawling metropolis that blends colonial history with modern innovation. The city’s skyline is dominated by towering skyscrapers, while its streets are filled with vibrant street markets. A global hub for fashion, finance, and the arts, Mumbai is also the home of Bollywood, the world's largest film industry. The Gateway of India, Marine Drive, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus are iconic landmarks that showcase the city’s rich heritage. Mumbai’s energy is relentless—24/7, you can find life and activity in every corner.

Mumbai’s dabbawalas are world-famous for their precision in delivering lunchboxes across the city every day.

State

Maharashtra

Year

1507

Airport

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)

Cost of Living (10)

5

Places to Eat

🍗
Bademiya
Street Food
Tulloch Rd, Behind Hotel Taj Mahal, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400039, India
4.4
200-500
12PM to 12AM
Late-night street food spot
Vibe:
Bustling, Authentic
Get To:
CST Station
Tip:
Kebabs, Rolls
Street food restaurant serving paneer, butter chicken rolls, and kebabs.
🍝
$ The Sassy Spoon
Fusion Bistro
Express Towers, Plot A, Ground Floor, Ramnath Goenka Marg, next to HDFC Bank, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021, India
4.6
600-1200
11AM to 11PM
Known for creative and innovative dishes
Vibe:
Chic, stylish
Get To:
Accessible from Marine Lines Station
Tip:
Asian sliders, sassy cocktails
Chic restaurant serving a Continental and European kitchen
🥻
Raas
Restaurant
Swami Vivekananda Rd, Saraswat Nagar, Willingdon, Santacruz West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400054, India
4.6
₹2,000 - ₹5,000 (per item)
10:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Sarees & More. Exclusive ethnic wear store for women.
http://www.raasworld.com/
🍛
Mirchi and Mime
Social Impact
Trans Ocean House, Lake Blvd Rd, Hiranandani Gardens, MHADA Colony 19, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400076, India
4.6
1500-3000
11AM to 11PM
Indian restaurant with a good cause towards the auditory impaired 💯
http://mirchiandmime.com/
Kala Ghoda Café
Heritage Café
10, Rope Walk Ln, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India
4.8
300-600
11AM to 11PM
Well known cafe restaurant in Colaba’s art district with good food
https://kalaghodacafe.in/
🥟
$ Hakassan
High-end Cantonese
2nd Floor, Krystal Building, Waterfield Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050, India
4.7
2000-3000
11AM to 11PM
Renowned for its upscale Cantonese cuisine
Vibe:
Luxe, moody
Get To:
Close to major roadways
Tip:
Peking duck, truffle dim sum
Modern Chinese restaurant serving lunch and dinner with dimsum
https://hakkasan.com/mumbai/
Must Try:

Vada Pav, Biryani, Pav Bhaji, Pani Puri

Places to Drink

🎷
Tamasha
Themed Bar
602, Samarth Vaibhav, Millat Circle, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400102, India
4.5
2,000 - 3,500
10AM to 10PM
Bollywood inspired bar playing retro music with a decent crowd turnup
🍺
Opa
Lounge
Peninsula Grand Hotel, Lokmanya Tilak Nagar, Saki Naka, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400072, India
4.4
800-1800
3PM to 1:30AM
Exclusive Bar and lounge with a mediterranean influence also serving sheesha
🍸
Aer
Rooftop Lounge
1/136, 34th Floor, Dr E Moses Rd, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400018, India
4.6
1000-3000
5PM to 1AM
Upscale open-air rooftop bar serving cocktails and tapas at the Four Seasons 💯
🏙️
Asilo
Rooftop Bar
Level 37, 462, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013, India
4.5
1500-3500
5 to 11PM
Exclusive open-air rooftop bar and club offering views over Mumbai's skyline
Music / Dance:

Bollywood, Indian Classical, Lavani, Garba

Places to Network

Key Industries:

Film, Finance, Textiles

Places to Shop

🛒
Palladium
Shopping Mall
462, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013, India
4.7
Mid-range to luxury
11AM to 10PM
High-end shopping destination with luxury brands
Vibe:
Luxury, Elegant
Get To:
Nearby Railway & Metro Stations
Tip:
Designer Brands, Food Court
Large shopping mall featuring luxury brands and many restaurants
A-12, No 8, 5th Cross Rd, Model Town Society, Gulmohar Road, MHADA Colony, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049, India
4
2,000 - 10,000
10AM to 6PM
Home decor store offering locally sourced handicrafts
R City Mall, S-51B, II, Lal Bahadur Shastri Rd, Ghatkopar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400086, India
4.6
₹500 - ₹10,000 (per item)
10 AM - 9 PM
India's largest private platform for products that are made from traditional techniques, skills and hand-based processes.
🍶
Nicobar
Fashion & Lifestyle
IO, Saibaba Rd, Above, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India
4.6
2,000 - 5,000
11AM to 6PM
Designer studio with a lovely collection of apparel and homeware
🎞️
Phoenix Market City
Shopping Mall
Junction, LBS Marg, Patelwadi.Kurla, Kamani, Kurla West, Kurla, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400070, India
4.5
Mid-range to luxury
11AM to 9PM
Large shopping mall with cinemas, food courts and bowling
14-A,Asiad Plaza,Ground Floor,Station Road, Swami Vivekananda Rd, Santacruz West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400054, India
4.5
₹2,000 - ₹50,000 (per item)
11 AM - 9 PM
offers you timeless ethnic outfits including Kurtas, Kurta Sets, Sherwanis, Indo-Westerns, Jackets, Kurta Jacket Sets, Sarees, Lehengas and more

Luxury

🍹
Dome
Rooftop Lounge
Colaba Workshop Building, Jamshedji Bunder, Lala Nigam Road, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400005, India
4.5
2,000 - 3,500
9AM to 7PM
Panoramic sea view
Vibe:
Lively, Sophisticated
Get To:
Marine Drive Station
Tip:
Cocktails, Sunset Views
Open-air cocktail lounge with a spectacular view over Marine Drive
🛥️
Yacht Charter
Luxury Experience
504, Regus Business Centre,, Mafatlal House, H.T.Parekh Marg,, Churchgate, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400020, India
4.8
20,000 - 50,000
11AM to 11PM
Message us on the bottom right for more information about this
🥘
Indigo
Restaurant
Indian Mercantile Mansion (Extension) 5th floor, Madame Cama Road, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India
4.7
2,500 - 4,000
11AM to 11PM
Modern restaurant serving a 3-course meal layered with creative ingredients
🍝
The Table
Fine Dining
Dhanraj Mahal, Ground Floor, Kalapesi Trust, Marg, below Hotel Suba Palace, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400039, India
4.7
3,000 - 4,500
12 to 3:30PM | 7 to 10:30PM
Fine dining restaurant serving San Francisco-style globally inspired cuisine
🍲
Masala Library
Fine Dining
Ground Floor, First International Financial Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051, India
4.8
3,500 - 5,500
12 to 2:30PM | 7 to 11PM
Upscale dining restaurant offering a molecular food experience
🍛
Ziya
Fine Dining
The Oberoi, Mumbai, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021, India
4.9
4,000 - 6,000
12:30 to 2:30PM | 7 to 11PM
Indian restaurant offering a fine dining experience with views over Arabian sea

Watch Out

Watch out for Crowded Areas
Skip Super Touristic Places

Transportation

Busy metro, taxis, local trains

City Overview

Mumbai, often called Bombay, is India’s financial capital known for its vibrant culture, bustling streets, and rich history. It features a blend of colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers.

3 Day City Itinerary Guide

- Day 1: Morning: Visit Gateway of India and take a ferry to Elephanta Caves. Afternoon: Explore Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Evening: Dinner at a sea-view restaurant in Marine Drive. - Day 2: Morning: Visit Haji Ali Dargah. Afternoon: Explore the Kala Ghoda art district. Evening: Enjoy nightlife in Lower Parel. - Day 3: Morning: Stroll through Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Afternoon: Visit the Prince of Wales Museum. Evening: Attend a Bollywood film screening.

Current Trends

- Culinary diversity: Mumbai’s street food and fine dining scene are evolving, with more global influences. - Art and culture: Growing interest in independent theaters and art galleries. - Tech startups: Mumbai is becoming a hub for tech innovations and startups.

Local Events Guide

- Mumbai Film Festival (October): Showcasing international cinema and local talent. - Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (February): A week-long celebration of art, culture, and heritage. - Ganesh Chaturthi (September): A vibrant festival with processions and celebrations.

Local Insider Tips

- Visit Dharavi for a guided tour of Asia's largest slum and its vibrant community. - Explore Bandra's street art and trendy cafes. - Enjoy the local food scene in Juhu.

Sustainable Travel

- Sustainable transport: Mumbai's metro and local train systems are expanding. - Eco-friendly initiatives: Various NGOs are promoting waste management and recycling. - Green spaces: Efforts are underway to increase urban greenery with parks and gardens.

Explore the Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences:

Ready to see through a local’s eyes? Our curated guide unveils top hidden gems, secret spots, and local favorites that you won’t find in typical travel guides. Whether it’s a cozy café tucked away in a historic neighborhood, a scenic trail only known to insiders, or unique cultural sites, has so much more to offer beyond the tourist hotspots. Dive into our off-the-beaten-path guide and discover the true heart —perfect for adventurous travellers, culture enthusiasts, and anyone looking for an authentic journey

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Unlock the Hidden Side:

Each spot in our City guide is handpicked to help you experience the city like a local, avoiding the crowds and discovering the best-kept secrets. From charming local eateries and breathtaking viewpoints to tucked-away art galleries and vibrant local markets, this guide lets you explore beyond the surface. Follow our recommendations for an unforgettable adventure and see why these places stand out as favorites among locals. For more unique experiences like these, explore our full collection of off-the-beaten-path city guides and make every trip a journey of discovery.