Mahesh Lunch Home is a goan restaurant in Fort, Mumbai.
S C Karkera opened Mumbai's first dedicated Mangalorean room in Fort in 1977. The pomfret hits the tandoor whole; the fish gassi runs with thick coconut.
Signature dishes: Tandoori pomfret, Crab butter pepper garlic, Neer dosa
Must order: Tandoori pomfret and neer dosa.
Tip: Order sol kadhi to follow the meal; the kokum drink settles the spice.
Address: 8-B Cawasji Patel Street, Fort, Mumbai 400001
Pancham Puriwala near CSMT has fried puris and served thali to Bombay commuters since 1848. UP migrants who succeeded in the puri trade opened the room.
Signature: Puri sabzi, Pancham thali, Lassi
Order: Pancham thali with the puri-sabzi combo and a sweet lassi.
Tip: Cash easiest; lunch service is fastest before 12:30. Cash and card both accepted.
Gajalee in Vile Parle East serves Malvani coastal cooking with the koli catch that morning. The thali runs prawns, surmai and crab with sol kadhi.
Signature: Malvani prawn curry, Bombil fry, Surmai tikka
Order: Bombil rava fry and Malvani prawn curry with rice.
Tip: Sol kadhi after the meal cuts the coconut gravies. Cash and card both accepted.
Khyber on MG Road has been a Mumbai Mughlai institution since 1958. The murals run the length of the room and the raan still arrives at the table on a board.
Signature: Raan, Kabab e khas, Murgh malai kabab
Order: Raan for two with mint chutney.
Tip: Lunch sees less wait than dinner; book upstairs for groups. Cash and card both accepted.
Bademiya has run charcoal kebabs behind the Taj since 1946. The street stall pulls midnight queues for baida roti, seekh kabab and chicken tikka rolls.
Signature: Seekh kabab, Baida roti, Chicken tikka roll
Order: Mutton seekh in a baida roti and a chicken tikka roll for the road.
Tip: Street stall runs until 03:00; the indoor sit-down branches close at midnight.
Pancham Puriwala near CSMT has fried puris and served thali to Bombay commuters since 1848. UP migrants who succeeded in the puri trade opened the room.
Signature: Puri sabzi, Pancham thali, Lassi
Order: Pancham thali with the puri-sabzi combo and a sweet lassi.
Tip: Cash easiest; lunch service is fastest before 12:30. Cash and card both accepted.
A Rama Nayak's Udipi Shri Krishna Boarding has run an unlimited South Indian thali in Matunga since 1942. Banana leaves, ghee roast, sambar refills.
Signature: Thali, Mangalorean ghee roast, Filter coffee
Order: The unlimited thali; come hungry.
Tip: Lunch only on weekdays here; book the upstairs hall ahead for groups of six or more guests.
Cafe Mondegar opened in 1932 on Colaba Causeway. The Mario Miranda murals on opposite walls are the room's signature; the Wurlitzer jukebox still works.
Signature: Chicken cafreal, Pork sausage breakfast, Chocolate mousse
Order: Chicken cafreal, a cold beer and the chocolate mousse.
Tip: The Wurlitzer takes coins; bring change for it. Cash and card both accepted.
