Where To Get Your Midnight Food Fix In Mumbai
From pav bhaji and dosas to kebabs and sandwiches, Mumbai's party-goers are spoilt for choice.
There was a time when Mumbai would stay awake, and with it the restaurants and food stalls to ensure that the night-crawlers didn’t go hungry. The status changed over a period of time as nightlife dwindled and eateries downed shutters. However, a few loyal ones continued to stay up and serve the late workers and party-goers. As the city’s nightlife gets resurrected, we tell you places – old and new – to grab a bite late at night or in the wee hours of the morning.
EAT OUT
Amar Juice Centre, Juhu
The not-so-small stall near Cooper Hospital in Juhu has been in the news for various reasons, the most important being the cause for traffic jam. You’d see multiple cars parked here late in the night and people thronging to eat their pav bhaji, dosas and idlis or medu vadas. We wouldn’t say the food is one of the best in the city, but it's a decent option at ungodly hours.
Open till: 2am
Price: Rs 500 for two
Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar, Grant Road
Its biryani is a bit greasy, we agree. But after a round of heavy drinking, the oily biryani with huge chunks of mutton is the best meal around. They also serve mutton nihari, dabba gosht and a variety of kebabs.
Open till: 3am
Price: Rs 800 for two
Persian Darbar, Byculla East
The restaurant with colourful and bright interiors has been a go-to place to grab after-party food. The raan biryani is easily one of the best in Mumbai.
Open till: 2am
Price: Rs 1000 for two
The kebabs at Bademiya are a must-try.
Bademiya, Colaba
Bademiya has been the Mecca for party-goers since 80s and 90s when South Bombay was the party hub of the city. The late night eatery serving kebabs and rolls is still going strong; however, we would say that the quality of their rolls has gone down while the prices keep rising.
Open till: 3 AM
Price: Rs 600 for two
Apna Dhaba, Andheri East
A typical dhaba-like place in Chakala with charpai for seating, and menu that includes Chicken tikka, daal fry and tandoori roti. They also serve alcohol till late night.
Open till: 6 - 7am
Price: Rs 1000 for two
Narayan Bhurjee Stall, Santacruz East
There was a time when the lane near Churchgate station would be lined with stalls selling egg bhurji and pav. There are fewer of them now, and just a handful that are open till late. The one near Santa Cruz Station makes spicy scrambled eggs and serves them with soft, buttered pav.
Open: 24 hours
Price: Rs 35 per plate
The Light Of Asia, Fort
It’s an old-style Irani restaurant known for its raan biryani and bheja fry. The menu has gone more commercial now and includes Mughlai and Chinese dishes too. Make sure you end the meal with their chocolate caramel custard.
Open: 24 hours
Price: Rs 800
Zaffran is open till 4 AM in the morning.
Zaffran, Crawford Market
This is the only outlet of the restaurant that remains open till late in the night. The menu is a mix of Awadhi, Mughlai and Hyderabadi food. Try the galaouti or seekh kebab or aloo tuk chaat here.
Open till: 4 AM
Price: Rs 1500 for two
Parag Juice Centre, Dadar
This small joint near Dadar station is easy to miss, but stays open till 2 AM serving grilled sandwiches and fresh juices. There’s no place to sit, but the service is swift.
Open till: 2 AM
Price: Rs 200 for two
Step Iin Bar and Kitchen, Mahim
Located near the Mahim dargah, this restaurant serves biryani and a few other Mughlai dishes. The bar, too, stays open till late in the night.
Open till: 3 AM
Price: Rs 1000 for two
Ayub’s, Fort
Like Bademiya, Ayub’s too is an old favourite serving kebab rolls late in the night. The service is a bit slow, and those who drive-in get preferential treatment. However, their rolls are slightly better than Bademiya. Go for the mutton bhuna, baida roti and chicken tikka roll.
Open till: 2 AM
Price: Rs 500 for two
Sandwiches at Bachelorr's.
Bachelorr’s, Girgaon Chowpatty
You can’t talk about sandwiches and shakes in Mumbai without mentioning Bachelorr’s. The small stall opposite Chowpatty has been a favourite of singles living alone in the city. Try their chocolate shake and the seasonal strawberry or sitaphal shake.
Open till: 1.30 AM
Price: Rs 800 for two
Sagar Chinese, Juhu
It’s a small roadside eatery with a few tables and chairs set up on the street. The food is typical Indian-Chinese loaded with spices and sauces. You must have their chicken lollypop, fried rice and Schezwan noodles.
Open till: 4 AM
Price: Rs 500 for two
Ice and Rolls, Juhu
The grab-and-go kind of place serves rolls, sandwiches and milkshakes. They also have the desi renditions of pasta, pizza and burger.
Open till: 1.30 - 2 AM
Price: Rs 300 for two
Pot de Fusion is a delivery service that operates between Andheri & Kandivali.
ORDER IN OR TAKE OUT
Pot de Fusion, Andheri – Kandivali
A kitchen delivering food till 4 AM with an extensive menu that goes beyond wraps, rolls and cheap Chinese; that’s a welcome change. The service that delivers between Andheri and Kandivali serves Indian – Jammu ke rajma, squid masala, Delhi ki malaai champ, Chinese, and continental – Red snapper fish Meuniere, BBQ chicken wings and pasta. The food is neatly wrapped in non-spill plastic boxes and everything is prepared fresh as the order is placed. What's more, they also bake their own breads for sandwiches and burgers.
Open till: 4 AM
Price: Rs 700 for two
Fatboy’s Kitchen, Andheri West
This tiny eatery comes as a saviour with its juicy burger topped with bacon and served with fries. There’s a small seating space too, but we’d suggest you opt for home delivery or take out. They also serve shakes so go for the Kitkat shake.
Open till: 3 AM
Price: Rs 500 – 700 for two
Fatboy's Kitchen is trusted for their burgers.
Jantar Mantar, Juhu
The small eatery is a little ahead the lane that houses Prithvi Theatre. They serve Naan Turnovers, which are naans stuffed with your choice of filling.
Open till: 3am
Price: Rs 800 for two
Sigdi, Bandra
This unassuming place near Bandra station shuts at around 1 AM, but the kitchen keeps running till early morning and doles out rolls. Go for their chicken tikka or butter chicken roll wrapped in soft roomali roti. You can call for home delivery or order a takeout.
Open till: 4 - 6 AM
Price: Rs 600 for two
The author is a freelance food and travel writer and shares her stories on Foodchants. She is on a perpetual quest to learn about the history of regional food.
