Swati Snacks is a gujarati vegetarian restaurant in Tardeo, Mumbai.
Swati Snacks in Tardeo has run family-style Gujarati for three generations. Panki on banana leaves, faraali pattice and seasonal aamras with hot puris.
Signature dishes: Panki, Faraali pattice, Aamras with puri (in season)
Must order: Panki on banana leaves and a faraali pattice.
Tip: Aamras season runs March to May; book ahead for weekends in those months.
Address: 248 Karai Estate, Tardeo Road, Opposite Bhatia Hospital, Tardeo, Mumbai 400007
Cream Centre opened at Chowpatty Seaface in 1958 as a vegetarian sweets and snacks counter. The channa bhatura is the canonical dish; the hot fudge sundae.
Signature: Channa bhatura, Sizzler, Hot fudge sundae
Order: Channa bhatura with a Spanish omelette sizzler and a hot fudge sundae.
Tip: Family-friendly with a high-chair stock; weekday lunches are quietest.
Sukh Sagar at Chowpatty has run a pure-veg multicuisine menu for four decades. Pav bhaji, sandwiches, dosas and the South Indian counter run all day.
Signature: Pav bhaji, Pani puri, Pao bhaji
Order: Pav bhaji and a sweet lassi.
Tip: Crowded counter, table service runs slower; takeaway at the front is faster.
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.
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.
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.
