8 budget eating worth the trip across India, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All India guides.
Ashok Vaidya Vada Pav ★ 4.6 · Mumbai
matunga · Platform 1, Dadar Railway Station (Western Line), Dadar West, Mumbai 400028
The original vada pav stall outside Dadar Station charges INR 25 a piece. Narendra Vaidya carries on what his father Ashok started in 1966 on the same.
Tip: Cash only; arrive before 09:00 to skip the commuter queue. Cash and card both accepted.
Kyani and Co ★ 4.6 · Mumbai
marine-lines · 657 Jer Mahal Estate, Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Marine Lines, Mumbai 400002
Kyani still prices bun maska at INR 30 and Irani chai at INR 25. Two of each plus a mawa cake comes to INR 100; the breakfast price has barely moved.
Tip: Mornings until 11:00 are the best time; pay cash. Cash and card both accepted.
Sardar Pav Bhaji ★ 4.6 · Mumbai
tardeo · 166-A Tardeo Main Road Junction, Tardeo, Mumbai 400034
Sardar charges INR 150 for the canonical Mumbai pav bhaji. Cheese version runs INR 200; counter service is faster than table service at busy lunch hours.
Tip: Counter service is fastest; ask for the extra-butter version.
Cafe Madras ★ 4.5 · Mumbai
matunga · Kamakshi Building, 391/B Bhaudaji Road, Matunga East, Mumbai 400019
Cafe Madras serves filter coffee and a Mysore masala dosa for around INR 200 across two. The thali at lunch comes in similarly priced; cash and card both.
Tip: Closed Mondays; arrive at 07:00 on weekends. Cash and card both accepted.
A Rama Nayak Udipi Shri Krishna ★ 4.5 · Mumbai
matunga · 1st Floor LBS Market Building, Lakhamsi Nappu Road, Matunga East, Mumbai 400019
A Rama Nayak's unlimited thali on banana leaves runs INR 280 a head. Sambar, ghee roast, four vegetable curries, rice and dessert. Cash easiest.
Tip: Lunch only on weekdays; weekend dinner runs quietest. Cash and card both accepted.
Pancham Puriwala ★ 4.2 · Mumbai
fort · 8-10 Perin Nariman Street, Fort, Mumbai 400001
Pancham Puriwala by CSMT runs the Pancham Thali (puri, sabzi, dal, rice, papad, chutney, sweet) for INR 250 a head. Open since 1848, lunch counter only.
Tip: Lunch service runs fastest before 12:30; cash easiest. Cash and card both accepted.
Fort Vada Pav Stalls ★ 4.2 · Mumbai
fort · Horniman Circle and DN Road, Fort, Mumbai 400001
Fort's vada pav stalls along Horniman Circle and DN Road price at INR 30 a piece. Mill-worker rates have held; the chutney is made every morning.
Tip: Office-lunch hours (12:30-14:00) busiest; calm before 12:00.
Sukh Sagar ★ 4.0 · Mumbai
chowpatty · Ground Floor, Marina Mansion, SVP Road, Chowpatty, Mumbai 400007
Sukh Sagar at Chowpatty has run a pure-veg multicuisine menu for four decades. The pav bhaji is INR 220, sandwiches and dosas around the same.
Tip: Takeaway at the front counter is faster than table service. Cash and card both accepted.