Kyani and Co is an irani cafe budget eat in Marine Lines, Mumbai.
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.
Must order: Bun maska, Irani chai and a mawa cake.
Tip: Mornings until 11:00 are the best time; pay cash. Cash and card both accepted.
Address: 657 Jer Mahal Estate, Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Marine Lines, Mumbai 400002
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.
Try: Filter coffee and Mysore masala dosa
Order: Filter coffee and a Mysore masala dosa.
Tip: Closed Mondays; arrive at 07:00 on weekends. Cash and card both accepted.
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.
Try: Pancham thali
Order: Pancham Thali with extra puris.
Tip: Lunch service runs fastest before 12:30; cash easiest. Cash and card both accepted.
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.
Try: Unlimited thali
Order: Unlimited thali; come hungry.
Tip: Lunch only on weekdays; weekend dinner runs quietest. Cash and card both accepted.
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.
Try: Pav bhaji
Order: Pav bhaji and a sweet lassi.
Tip: Takeaway at the front counter is faster than table service. Cash and card both accepted.
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.
Try: Pav bhaji
Order: Pav bhaji with extra butter and a sweet lassi.
Tip: Counter service is fastest; ask for the extra-butter version.
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.
Try: Vada pav and samosa pav
Order: A vada pav with garlic chutney and a samosa pav.
Tip: Office-lunch hours (12:30-14:00) busiest; calm before 12:00.