Exploring Mumbai’s Vibrant Street Food Scene: A Guide

Mumbai, previously called Bombay, is not only the entertainment and financial capital of India but an iconic destination for food lovers. While street food is quite common everywhere in India, this populous city is specifically famous because of the bustling colourful stalls at every nook and cranny of the city. Street food has become the identity of Mumbai and a part of the tourist attraction. Without street food stalls the streets in this city seem colourless and incomplete.

Despite Indian street food being broadly categorised into North Indian street food, South Indian street food and chaats, we have a separate post for Mumbai street food because of its popularity and for being the major aspect of Mumbai’s culinary culture.

List of a few popular vegetarian street food dishes from Mumbai:

Vada Pav: A signature dish of Maharashtra is this Indian burger. Spicy garlic chilli mixture is spread on buns called pav, deep fried battered potato patties placed between bun and served with fried green chilli.
Misal Pav: Misal is a spicy sprouted beans curry topped with sev or farsan, onion, lemon and served with pav (dinner rolls) as a snack or a meal.
Pav Bhaji: An iconic dish made of spicy mashed vegetable curry served with butter, onion and pav (soft dinner rolls).
Dahi Puri: A fabulous dish found on the streets of Mumbai is this chaat that is also called “dahi batata puri”, “dahi sev puri”. It is made by stuffing puffed crispy puri with boiled potato cubes and topped with assorted chutneys, yogurt, sev and spices.
Bombay Sandwich: Delicious Indian sandwich originated in Mumbai (then Bombay), hence the name. The bread slices are spread with generous butter followed by green chutney and layered with vegetable slices, grated cheese, sprinkled with masala and grilled.
Batata Vada: Fritters, made of spiced potato balls dipped in gram flour batter and deep fried. This snack with its crispy outer and soft inside is absolutely irresistible and great to have with a cup of masala chai.
Falooda: This absolutely delicious chilled sweet drink made of vermicelli, basil seeds, rose syrup and milk.
Zunka Bhakar: A traditional dish from Maharashtrian cuisine. Zunka is a gluten free side dish made of gram flour and spices served with bhakar – a millet flour roti.
Kanda Poha: A quintessential dish of every household in Maharashtra is this delicious dish made of flattened rice, vegetables and spices. This dish is different from the Malwa cuisine’s Indori poha.
Kanda Bhaji: Onion fritters specifically enjoyed during the rainy season with a cup of coffee or tea.
Frankie: One of the most loved street foods is this delicious wrap aka Mumbai burrito made with varieties of filling stuffed in the flatbread and wrapped. It’s a great on the go snack. Potato and paneer filling are popular vegetarian choices.
Ice Gola: A classic summer treat made with ice and flavoured syrups. Shaved ice is moulded into oblong shape, an ice cream stick is inserted in the middle and a different enticing flavoured syrup is poured on the ice.