Punjabi$$bandra-westDaily 12:00-15:30, 19:00-00:00
Papa Pancho on Pali Naka serves dhaba-style Punjabi cooking since 1997: sarson da saag, butter chicken, makki rotis and lassi in steel tumblers.
Signature: Sarson da saag with makki di roti, Amritsari fish, Pindi chole
Order: Sarson da saag with makki di roti and a sweet lassi.
Tip: Cash and card both accepted; the pork pickle is a take-home favourite.
Goan$$fortDaily 11:30-16:00, 18:00-23:00
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: Tandoori pomfret, Crab butter pepper garlic, Neer dosa
Order: Tandoori pomfret and neer dosa.
Tip: Order sol kadhi to follow the meal; the kokum drink settles the spice.
Seafood$$andheriDaily 11:30-00:00
Gajalee in Vile Parle East serves Malvani coastal cooking with the koli catch that morning. The thali runs prawns, surmai and crab with sol kadhi.
Signature: Malvani prawn curry, Bombil fry, Surmai tikka
Order: Bombil rava fry and Malvani prawn curry with rice.
Tip: Sol kadhi after the meal cuts the coconut gravies. Cash and card both accepted.
North Indian$$$kala-ghodaDaily 12:30-15:30, 19:30-23:30
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.
Mughlai kebabs$$colabaDaily 12:00-03:00
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.
Indian$fortDaily 10:00-22:30
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.