The southern tip of Mumbai. Heritage hotels, the Gateway of India and a kebab institution that runs until three in the morning.
Bademiya has run kebabs on charcoal behind the Taj since 1946. The street stall on Tulloch Road still pulls midnight queues for baida roti and chicken.
Signature: Seekh kabab, Baida roti, Chicken tikka roll
Order: Mutton seekh in a baida roti and a chicken tikka roll for the road.
Tip: The street stall is open until 03:00; the indoor sit-down branches close at midnight.
Rahul Akerkar's Indigo Deli runs all day off Colaba Causeway, two minutes from the Gateway: eggs benedict at breakfast, burger at lunch, sticky toffee any.
Signature: Eggs benedict, Indigo burger, Sticky toffee pudding
Order: Eggs benedict at any hour and a sticky toffee for the table.
Tip: The bakery counter sells loaves and danishes from 11:00; arrive earlier for the croissants.
Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto's Mumbai restaurant runs sushi, sashimi, robata and omakase at the Taj. Black cod miso and toro tartare are the menu signatures.
Rahul Akerkar's Indigo Deli on Colaba Causeway runs all day, two minutes from the Gateway. Eggs benedict for breakfast, burger for lunch, sticky toffee.
Signature: Eggs benedict, Indigo burger, Sticky toffee pudding
Order: Eggs benedict at any hour and a sticky toffee for the table.
Tip: The bakery counter sells loaves and danishes from 11:00; come earlier for croissants.
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.
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.
Cafe Mondegar opened in 1932 on Colaba Causeway. The Mario Miranda murals on opposite walls (1990s) are the room's signature; jukebox still plays.
Signature drink: Cold beer at the bar
Order: A cold beer, a chicken cafreal and the chocolate mousse.
Tip: The Wurlitzer jukebox accepts coins; bring change. Cash and card both accepted.
Indigo Deli's bakery counter in Colaba sells laminated pastries, sourdough loaves and danishes from 11:00. The almond croissant is the daily benchmark.
Order: Almond croissant and a half-loaf of country sourdough.
Tip: Croissants come out at 11:00 fresh; sourdough loaves at 14:00.
Worth the queue: Almond croissant
Cafe Mondegar's bar in the back has poured cold beer to Colaba locals since 1932. Mario Miranda murals run the room; the jukebox plays through the night.
Signature drink: Cold beer at the bar
Food: All-day continental snacks
Order: Bombay's coldest Kingfisher with the chocolate mousse.
Tip: Jukebox takes coins; bring change. Cash and card both accepted.
Sea Lounge inside the Taj Palace serves the Maharaja and Sea Lounge afternoon tea daily 15:30 to 18:30, with Arabian Sea views. Editor's TableJourney pick.
Signature drink: Maharaja afternoon tea (INR 4500)
Food: Afternoon tea (English and Indian)
Order: Maharaja afternoon tea, two-person service.
Tip: Book at least 48 hours ahead; smart casual minimum dress. Cash and card both accepted.
The original Bademiya street stall on Tulloch Road has cooked seekh kebabs over charcoal since 1946. Open until 03:00; the after-club queue runs deep most.
Try: Seekh kebab and baida roti
Order: Mutton seekh in a baida roti and a chicken tikka roll for the road.
Tip: Veg and non-veg counters are split; the stall is opposite the sit-down room.
Sassoon Dock is Mumbai's oldest wet dock (1875) and the Koli community's primary morning fish landing; pomfret, bombil, prawn and crab off the boats.
Order: Bombil for rava fry, prawn for masala curry, surmai for tikka.
Tip: Arrive between 05:00 and 07:00 for the best catch; bring cash and a cooler bag.
Indigo Deli runs eggs benedict and an all-day brunch counter near the Gateway. Open from 11:00 daily; the bakery has fresh croissants and sourdough at 11.
Order: Eggs benedict and a sticky toffee.
Sea Lounge inside the Taj Palace runs the Maharaja and Sea Lounge afternoon tea: INR 4500 and INR 3000 respectively. Editor's TableJourney pick.
Order: Maharaja afternoon tea, two-person service.
Cafe Mondegar opens at 08:30 with a continental breakfast counter, pork sausage on the menu and the Wurlitzer jukebox running. Walk-in only, cash easiest.
Order: Pork sausage breakfast and a cold beer.
Bademiya's Tulloch Road stall runs until 03:00 daily. Charcoal kebabs, baida rotis and tikka rolls. Mumbai's canonical after-club queue forms here from 23:00.
Try: Seekh kabab, baida roti, chicken tikka roll
Order: Mutton seekh in a baida roti and a chicken tikka roll for the road.
Tip: Cash and card accepted at the stall; sit-down rooms close at midnight.
Cafe Mondegar runs to 00:30 nightly. Cold beer at the bar, continental snacks from the kitchen, Mario Miranda murals on the walls and the jukebox running.
Try: Late beer and snacks
Order: Cold Kingfisher with chocolate mousse for late dessert.
Tip: The Wurlitzer takes coins for late-night jukebox songs. Cash and card both accepted.