Looking for affordable local food in Mumbai city? We bring you a few options that will make your wallet sing.

They say, you can take someone out of Mumbai but not Mumbai out of someone you know. No quote has ever held more meaning to me. I have travelled far and wide but have missed the city of dreams more than someone misses junk food while on a diet. The crowd. The chaos. The adrenaline. And the local food in Mumbai.

The Sea, Sand and Surf of the Megapolis called Mumbai

Iconic Buildings come alive one Mumbai Night.

Though many don’t get to eat their fill in this mega polis, no one ever goes hungry. One can have local delicacies overlooking the Arabian sea in a five star ambience or at a pocket friendly food cart, depending on the size of their wallets. Wicked spoon confessions, decides to search affordable food options in Mumbai for those days when one can dedicate the song “ Tu hain ki nahin” from the film Roy to their paychecks.

Pav Bhaji- Every true Mumbaikar swears by that one pav bhaji joint that will make the tummy perform a happy dance. A wholesome meal that is heavier than rice but lighter than roti-subzi, the humble pav bhaji has evolved over the years with interesting twists. Have your fill at Cannon pav bhaji near Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (VT station), Sardar pav bhaji in Tardeo, Amar juice center at Irla- Vile Parle, Sukh Sagar at Chowpatty, Charni road or at the various stalls at Juhu beach. Prices per plate start from Inr 100 and upwards.

Delectable Pav Bhaji- Wanna Have a Plate?

Bombay sandwich- My MBA college memories circle around countless presentations, sleepless nights, exams, placements and an unassuming “sandwichwalla”. Rain or sunshine he stood near my B-school making customized sandwiches for hungry MBA aspirants as he listened to endless banter. Available in white or brown bread variants, grilled, toast and plain versions, the Bombay sandwiches pack a delicious punch between its slices. Jay sandwich near National College, Bandra, Swastik near Santacruz station, stalls near Mithibai College, Vile Parle and Sandwichwalla near CST station all offer a huge variety. Prices start from Inr 30 and upwards.

The Bombay Sandwich is so famous, its served in ITC too 

Stop by Bachelorr's- who knows you may spot a celeb too :)

Misal Pav- “Ek plate acidity dena” joked my friend as we settled at Bhatt Vishranti Graha in Chembur. A plate of piping hot missal pav is what he got. A very popular Maharashtrian breakfast, it can be relished as a meal too. A spicy curry is topped with crisp farsan and served with bread on the side. Panshikar in Girgaum, Sapre and Sons, Goregaon, Godwa in Borivali , Visawa in Vashi…the list of the places that serves this snack can be endless. The Kolhapuri version is spicy, so tread the spice route with caution. You don’t want to end up breathing fire like a dragon, right? Prices start from Inr 50 a plate.

Ek Plate Garma Garam Acidity- the humble Misal Pav.

Mumbai chaat- They say a marriage brings spice, joy and happiness in life but we say Mumbai paani puri does a much better job and at a cheaper price!! Bhelpuri, paani puri, dahi puri, papdi chaat are words that stir a thousand emotions in people across varied age groups.

Jhama- a foodie heaven in Chembur.

A Mouthful of Happiness- Paani Puri :-)

Take your pick from Elco market in Bandra, Jhama sweets in Chembur, Gurukripa in Sion, Vithal Bhelwala near CST station and Bhagat Tarachand at Kalbadevi. Go on, take out your date on a chaat trail and devour happiness at Inr 30 a plate.

The mouth watering samosa-chola at Gurukripa, Sion!

Idli, medu vadas and dosas- at 5 am everyday near Chembur station you find people dunking piping hot idlis in tangy sambhar (made with lentils) and washing it all down with filter coffee. Need a healty quick fix for those hunger pangs that attack at odd hours of the day? Walk into an Udipi joint nearby and relish a range of masala dosas, idli or medu vada served with fresh coconut chutney and sambhar. The best ones are located at King circle- Madras Café, Anand Bhavan and Udipi Idli house. One can also step into Mani’s lunch home at Sion and Matunga. With delicious food served at as low as Inr 30 a plate, who cares about the month end?

Masala Dosa- healthy and tummy filling!

Vada Pav- Mumbai’s answer to Mac Donald’s, vada pav is an anytime temptation. A spicy potato filling is dunked in golden batter and deep-fried. Its then placed between a pav drizzled with special chutneys. I have grown up eating countless vada pav at Mangesh vada pav in Borivali and still argue he’s the best in town. But many swear by the Ashok vada pav near Kirti College, Dadar and Shivaji vada pav nearby Mithibai College at Vile Parle. Jumbo King Vada Pav has several chains around the city of Mumbai and so does Goli vada pav. Sold at food carts and shops across Mumbai, this common man’s food should be on every tourists foodie bucket list. We do not take any guarantee of your stomach but be rest assured, your taste buds shall sing. 

Tikhat Vada Pav, anyone?

The best food in Mumbai is actually found in the streets and is a melting pot of flavours brought together from all over the country by people who came in search of their livelihood. Some flavours are new. A few are old. The cooking styles may be reinvented to satiate the cravings of demanding customers but the taste reminds you of a few memories back home. So, work hard and party harder in the city of dreams and if hunger pangs strike, do not run for cover….just find that one local joint that will let you have your fill.