| Playing host to India's largest business and entertainment communities, Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) is one of the 21st century's most vibrant and exciting destinations. To cater for its increasing prominence on the world stage, the city's restaurant scene has expanded to provide culinary delights for every palate. The establishments listed here exemplify the best restaurants Mumbai has to offer.
|
Throughout the city, gourmets will find an eatery to suit every taste and budget. Mumbai offers visitors to the city a selection of the finest dining to be found anywhere, with some of the world's most upmarket restaurants echoing the imperial grandeur of the early 1900's.
In these ultra-stylish establishments, diners can relax in authentic Indian surroundings whilst enjoying local hospitality and delicacies such as the subtle tamarind-flavored Min Vela fish curry or vegetarian Pavbhaji Masala.
For those who wish to partake of the cuisine that is experienced on a daily basis by local people, some of the best restaurants Mumbai has are those to be found in its residential areas, offering casual dining away from the more mundane tourist traps. Here, staples such as Khicheri and Bhel Puri can be enjoyed at local family run eateries and diners or purchased from street vendors.
For those who desire more familiar tastes the city in keeping with most 21st century cities, has its fair share of multinational fast food eateries, with most of the major chains represented within the metropolitan area. Often these restaurants will provide a menu that is familiar to overseas visitors, although sometimes there will be a local variation, for example mutton being used instead of beef in hamburger patties.
The city is where northern India meets the south, and its food therefore features elements that come from every part of the subcontinent, with many recipes refined through the generations, thus becoming unique to the city. Influences from the north of India include the rice and meat treats of Kashmir, where creamy sauces are tempered by a piquant seasoning of cardamom, chili and cloves.
Whilst the term 'curry' is used all over the English-speaking world to describe a range of Indian foods, it is a term rarely used by India's indigenous people. Although restaurant menus will often provide English language guidance by using the word, in India it is regarded as too wide a category to have any real meaning when relating to Indian cuisine.
Most of the best restaurants Mumbai offers to hungry visitors provide Punjabi cuisine as an option on the menu. This northeastern India/Pakistan fare provides strong, substantial flavors and wholesome, filling nourishment that often makes extensive use of dairy products such as clarified butter (ghee), cream and curds. Food which originated in the Punjab is often characterized by thick sauces served with naan breads.
Diners who wish to experience the most 'authentic' of Indian cuisine may wish to partake from some of the traditional southern-Indian dishes, which have been less historically-influenced by surrounding areas and states.
A few hours south lies the spiritual heartland of Goa, and the traditional foods of this unique region have also been assimilated into the city's own culinary heritage. Goan cuisine is unique in the predominantly Sikh, Hindu and Muslim subcontinent, as its substantial Christian population means that pork is often a menu option. Indeed, Goa's signature dish is Pork Vindaloo, where tender cuts of meat are marinaded in a garlic vinegar for an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
At the southern tip of India, the exotic and extensive coastline has understandably given rise to a wide variety of seafood dishes, many of which are to be found in these restaurants. Naturally-growing coconuts from this region are often incorporated into creamy, spicy sauces for fish and shellfish delicacies, providing a taste like no other.
Vegetarians will find much to appreciate in these, the best restaurants Mumbai has to offer. Whilst vegetarianism is more common in the south of India, a wide variety of Old Bombay vegetarian dishes exist, with many eateries offering wholesome veggie sustenance with an unmistakably Indian essence.
|
|
|
|
