Desi khana, only in Mumbai’s restaurants

Food and aamchi Mumbai are inseparable, they are like Siamese twins, always tagging along hand in hand. Not a street can be seen in this metro where someone is not selling something tempting and delicious. Be it the roadside Vada paav to swanky Taj serving hot sizzlers, you will find them all here. The city is buzzing with hotels and restaurants serving some of the finest sizzling regional joints of the city.

Diva Maharashtracha (Matunga) welcome the guests with a lot of flair. The place resembles a well lit Fort with a tuturi playing as you enter its doors. They are most famous for their Royal Maharashtrian Power Lunch of sumptuous veg and non veg thalis, preferred by one and all that’ve passed by their restaurant. Whet your appetite with delights like the bharleli wangi (brinjals stuffed with peanuts, grated coconut, potato, etc.), tangy tomato rassa, jawar bhakri, lehsun chatni, mirchi techa and non veg tucks like chicken mutton pandara rassa and much more.

As you can see, the list of tempting treats is endless. Start with the Solkadhi, a drink made with coconut milk mixed with kokum extract; follow it up with a plate of savory modak with exotic fillings, and move on to the main course before wiping your plate clean wit their sinful desserts, or a tall glass of Matha, their signature lassi.

If you are in the mood for some hot tandoori dishes straight from the tawas and Tandoor, then Pritam Da Dhabba (Dadar East) is where you should drive to. The aromatic tandoori rotis and tasty maa ki daal is bound to make your heart sing. Stir your senses with the mouth watering chicken tandoori and chicken tikka.

To get a taste of real Punjab, sample their wholesome makke di roti and sarson da saag with a healthy dollop of makkhan. Sip on a glass of delicious masala chai or wash it down with some chilled beer, you will leave here with a promise to come back soon.

The other new kid on the block is the pure vegetarian eat out, Banana Leaf (Andheri), that offers the best of South Indian fares. Mild to fiery flavoured, their fares delight your palate. With specialties from Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Kerala, you get to chomp down on hot crunchy vadas, fluffy appams, neer dosa, chettinad dosa, Kanchipuram idlis, morkari idli, thoran, avial, spicy sambar, hot tamarind-tangy rasam, chutney and much more. To finish the meal, savour a bowl of sweet payasam.

Time to let your taste buds party!