Mumbai's pav bhaji ground zero. Sardar's stall by the bus depot, Swati Snacks for Gujarati and a residential mix of South Indian and Punjabi rooms.
Swati Snacks in Tardeo has run the family-style Gujarati menu for three generations. Panki on banana leaves, faraali pattice and seasonal aamras-puri.
Signature: Panki, Faraali pattice, Aamras with puri (in season)
Order: Panki on banana leaves and a faraali pattice.
Tip: Aamras season runs March to May; that is the time to make the booking.
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: Panki, Faraali pattice, Aamras with puri (in season)
Order: Panki on banana leaves and a faraali pattice.
Tip: Aamras season runs March to May; book ahead for weekends in those months.
Sardar at the Tardeo bus depot has been the Mumbai pav bhaji benchmark for decades. Butter swims on the griddle; the masala is hot and the pav is buttered.
Try: Pav bhaji
Order: Cheese pav bhaji with extra butter and a glass of solkadhi.
Tip: Counter service runs faster than table service; ask for the extra-butter version.
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.