Budget
Britannia and Co
This rundown restaurant, run by a partnership of geriatric brothers by the name Kohinoor, is a South Bombay institution, having been in existence since 1923. The signature dish is berry pulav, the recipe for which the late Mrs. Kohinoor found in Teheran while she was working with Iranian Airways. The Parsi favourite dhansak is of course available and tastes great. Try the caramel custard for dessert. The waiter may con you into trying the Raspberry soda. The first sip is sweet, but the whole bottle is cloying.
Martin's
Strand, colaba. great goan food. order a drink quickly before your food is delivered to your table. not for vegetarians.
Swati Snacks
Tardeo. a safe way to try indian fast food and street food.
Samovar
Inside jehangir art gallery, kala ghoda near colaba causeway. a favourite with the bombay art community, serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian indian food.
Ayubs
Located in a lane near horniman circle. very similar to bademiyan. great kababs, especially the tangri kabab. open until late and extremely popular among clubbers. it's a street joint and the only place to sit down and eat is your car.
Aga Brothers
Situated at cusrowbaug, a causeway institution since time immemorial- aga brothers pioneered the heavenly frankie, available in chicken, mutton and egg stuffing. you may wash that down with an orange, mango or kalakhatta drink, another aga brothers speciality. cost for a meal for one rs 100.alcohol and smoking is prohibited
Baghdadi
Behind the taj. food is a mix of indian and mughlai. don't get put off by its looks, you go there to eat, not for the decor. no booze allowed.
Gokul
Behind the taj. it is frequented by anyone who wants an inexpensive drink served quickly.
Kailash Parbat
Colaba causeway. this is a basic restaurant, serving excellent vegetarian indian food.
Crystal
On marine drive. located at girgaum chowpatty opp wilson college on marine drive, crystal is famous for its parathas and north indian fare. the food is very affordable and one will always find a line outside waiting to eat at crystal.
Bade Miyan
Between taj & colaba. eat on the road or in your car. open until the early hours of the morning. the rolls are a favourite after a movie.
Midrange
Gallops
Mahalaxmi race course, mumbai first entrance of the mahalaxmi race course while coming from haji ali. continental and indian food restaurant. it's expensive, but worth it for the ambiance, service, and food.
Pizzeria,
On the corner of marine drive and vn road - great pizza in lively surroundings. come early or be prepared to wait for a table!
Cafe Mocha
Churchgate. it is a relaxed sheesha restaurant serving heavy snacks. very popular for dessert and coffee.
Cafe Basilico
Colaba, off colaba causeway, near strand cinema +91 22 5634 5670. this is not a budget restaurant, but it's not expensive either. very popular with expats who live in the city. offers non-alcoholic drinks and coolers, mediterranean-inspired food, and great dessert. open all day. the rawas local kind of fish and the cheesecake is recommended.
Fountain Sizzlers
Located near flora fountain. as the name suggests, it is famous for its sizzlers, especially among the office crowd.
Gable's
Located on colaba causeway.restaurant that serves good array of goan food besides delicious leg of ham,pork chops and steaks. frequented by travellers, has a good british breakfast of ham,sausage,eggs and bacon.
Cafe Churchill
Located on colaba causeway. serves mostly continental food in a very cramped location. the food is pretty good, especially the pastas. the desserts here are the best and one should not miss the irish baileys chocolate cake, which is highly recommended.
Jazz by the Bay
On the junction of churchgate road and marine drive. serves a popular soup and salad buffet lunch. in the evening has live gigs and is a popular bar and restaurant.
Royal China
Sterling near vt. good chinese food and a special dim-sum menu.
Mahesh Lunch Home
The most famous seafood place in the city. Definitely try the crab.
Chetana Vegetarian Restaurant
Kala ghoda, k dubash marg,+91 22 2288 1159, (http://www.chetana.com/r.htm). a great gujarati and rajasthani food restaurant. service is ok, atmosphere decent. they also serve cocktails and beer. rs. 450 $10 for two.
Oh! Calcutta
A Bengali place which naturally means that it has an extensive seafood menu. It also has a good vegetarian selection.
Paradise
Located on colaba causeway. paradise serves parsi food and is extremely popular amongst locals, especially those who have been eating here since they were kids. the place has been recently renovated, though the charm still remains. the place is family owned and one must try the chicken steak, the chicken dhansak, and a really nice chicken salad.
Cafe Royal/CR
Located across from the regal cinema. bill clinton chose to eat here on his visit to india. famous for sizzlers and other continental food. it now goes by the name cr after being renovated.
Thrishna
Kala ghoda. it's famous for its seafood and patronized by locals, as well as expats.
Rajdhani
Near crawford market serves excellent unlimited thalis. strictly vegetarian. it has been rated one of the best places to eat in bombay. rs. 250.
The Bayview, Hotel Marine Plaza
This has a lunch, dinner, and midnight buffet worth trying. Also has a great view of Marine Drive and Malabar hill. Ask for the "Cafe Viennoise" and get extra chocolate flakes. It's not on the menu, so you have to ask the waiter for it.
Indigo Deli
Colaba, off colaba causeway, on the way to gateway of india. excellent food by the indigo people at cheaper-than-indigo prices. very popular with locals and expats for lunch and brunch on all days, so there can be quite a wait.
Moshe's
Cuffe parade. mediterranean food. extremely popular with locals, and a good, classy mid-range option.
Bhagat Tara Chand
Kalbadevi. great indian curry and 'home food'. must visit for indian food lovers, but you have to walk a bit.
Top end
Trattoria
Taj president, cuffe parade. 24 hour coffee shop. excellent pizzas. can get extremely crowded on sundays.
Indigo
Located in a bylane of colaba behind the taj hotel. this is an upscale restaurant serving global food. it also has a bar that gets lively after 9pm. fantastic sunday brunch food+drinks+live music at about rs 2000.
Kebab Corner
In the intercontinental hotel - high class indian food in a stylish restauraunt with superb views over back bay
Tiffin
The oberoi, marine drive. a new addition to the restaurants in the oberoi. very popular for lunch and in between meals. also currently shut for renovation since the 26/11 terrorist attacks.
Tendulkar's
Located in colaba, near the royal bombay yatch club. cricket player sachin tendulkar's restaurant. a mix of continental and indian cuisine including sachin's favourite dishes.
Thai Pavillion
The taj president, cuffe parade near colaba. the only legitimate thai restaurant in the city.
Golden Dragon
Hotel taj mahal, colaba. the upscale chinese choice for locals and expats.
The Dome
Hotel intercontinental, marine drive. it is an open air bar and snack restaurant with a beautiful view of bombay.
Frangipani
The oberoi, marine drive. 24 hour restaurant. popular for post-clubbing coffees with the posh set. they serve fantastic thin-crust pizzas, along with some local specialties. excellent breakfast and brunch.
Wasabi
Hotel taj mahal, colaba. brand new japanese restaurant. recently re-opened after the 26/11 attacks, with a new, improved menu and a nobu chef.
Lings Pavillion
Colaba behind taj hotel. high-end chinese.
If you know someone who is a member of the Willingdon, Bombay Gym, Radio club, or CCI beg them to take you there for cheap, good food, and dirt-cheap drinks.
Khyber
Kala ghoda. nice indian food at steep prices.
You can also eat from the various carts and hawkers if you feel your stomach can take it.