Spend a Day Like a Local in Mumbai
To Get a True Feel For the City, Relax at These Bombay Hangouts
Feb 11, 2008
Mumbai is the financial capital of India and home of the Bollywood movie industry. It’s a city of huge contrasts where east meets west in India, and where the country’s past and future collide. There’s a huge amount of development going on in this booming city, with slums rapidly making way for multi storey apartment and shopping complexes.
A great place to start the day is Juhu beach, around 25 km from the city centre and home to Mumbai’s established elite. Most people tend to congregate on the central stretch of this beach, near the cluster of food stalls that offer Mumbai’s favorite delicacies. For lunch, try some mouth watering Pav Bhaji, a spicy mixed vegetable and tomato curry that’s freshly cooked in front of you as you watch and served with bread. For only Rs 20 (less than 50 cents) this is a tasty and cheap meal. Afterwards, cross the road to Mocha, an ambient coffee bar with an exotic feel, that’s open air during the dry season. Mocha is also well known for its delicious shisha. This fruit flavoured tobacco is inhaled through hookah water pipes, and has been a widespread tradition in the Middle East for hundreds of years. It’s also been a huge hit in Mumbai. Mocha Juhu is located at 67 Juhu Tara Rd. Ph: (022) 26175495
Next, visit nearby Bandra – Mumbai’s hippest and most happening suburb, full of groovy cafes, bars, clubs, and restaurants. This suburb is the preferred hangout of young, rich stars, most of whom have homes here. Head to Linking Road to explore the fusion of shops, where you’ll find everything from international designer brands, to cheap textile and footwear stalls that line the pavements. Bargain well, and you’ll be able to pick up a fabulous pair of shoes for only a few dollars. Other popular items are handbags and children’s clothing. The only problem is choosing from all the different styles on offer.
To unwind away from the hustle and bustle, make your way to the green grass of Bandra Bandstand. This is a popular hangout for couples, which overlooks the sea. Just opposite, behind a high iron gate, you can see ‘Mannat’, the home of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. Free performances are held at Bandra Bandstand every Saturday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., during November to June. These peformances include traditional folk dances from different parts of India, as well as musical concerts.
From the Bandstand, take a walk along the promenade as the sun goes down. This stretch of road, which borders the sea, continues for around a kilometer and is lined with many stately homes. If you’re feeling like a snack, for around only Rs 10 (25 cents) make sure you sample some pani puri (deep fried puri filled with spicy watery chutney) or bhel puri (deep fried puri with puffed rice and chutney) from the road side stalls along the way.
In the evening, head a few kilometers north to Bandra’s Carter Road. Mumbai’s glamorous crowd prowl this strip and dine out in the many small, and often expensive, restaurants in the street near Café Coffee Day. You’ll find many good choices, depending on your preference for cuisine, where you can have a delicious dinner and take in the atmosphere.
To complete your day out, make sure you experience one of India’s favorite forms of entertainment – watching a Bollywood movie. In Bandra, the new Cinemax Red Lounge provides a unique cinema experience with luxurious recliner sofa seating. It's located in the RNA Corporate Park, Kalanagar, Bandra East. Ph: (022) 26561502, 26841616.
Mumbai’s auto rickshaws will be able to take you to all these places. Just make sure the meter is turned on.
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