Mumbai’s greatest pav bhaji joints have stood the take a look at of time. From Sukh Sagar in Chowpatty and Manohar Pav Bhaji in Girgaum to Achija in Ghatkopar, listed here are eight legendary eateries which have their very own USPs; some even come advisable by celebrities and historians!

In case you had been born and introduced up in Mumbai, it’s a no-brainer that the spicy, buttery flavours of the quintessential pav bhaji had been an integral a part of your growing-up years. This avenue meals has, for aeons now, been synonymous with town’s id; a draw for locals and non-natives alike. 

You might recall how a few years in the past, the dish had its second when Australian cricketer Pat Cummins found it on his journey to Mumbai. Cummins was aghast at not having tasted it earlier. Effectively, it’s protected to imagine that he’s now a fan of the Mumbai pav bhaji and listed here are eight locations you may get your fill too.

1. Sukh Sagar

Chowpatty Seashore is resplendent with meals stalls galore, every claiming to prepare dinner up a storm on a plate, however we promise the pav bhaji at Sukh Sagar lives as much as this declare. 4 buttered pavs with a aspect of onions and steaming gravy is simply what the house owners need their prospects to start the day with.

In an interview with Life-style Asia, Chef Varun Totlani, head chef at Mumbai’s Masque Restaurant, shared fond reminiscences of gorging on this ubiquitous dish at Sukh Sagar, happening so as to add that it’s his all-time favorite place in Mumbai.

2. Sadguru

Chembur — a suburb in central Mumbai — has two worlds in a single. On one aspect, the excessive rises and skyscrapers with their lofty facades, and on the opposite aspect, a chaotic jumble of previous buildings interspersed with a few of the oldest and most heavenly eateries of town. Take your choose.

The latter was born when refugees, who migrated to the then Bombay following the Partition, arrange camps and elevated in numbers. Meals bonds folks like nothing else and the realm quickly grew to become synonymous with a few of the most iconic meals retailers town has been witness to.

One amongst these is Sadguru, simply reverse Chembur Station. As soon as well-known as a juice centre, Sadguru’s is now a culinary ambassador for one of the best pav bhaji within the metropolis.

3. Sardar Pav Bhaji

Positioned in Tardeo is a restaurant with a magnetic pull. As quickly as you might be in shut quarters to Sardar Pav Bhaji, you can be drawn by an aroma that’s so engaging, you could’t assist however make your method to it. The place has handled everybody — from millworkers in yesteryears to canoodling {couples}, day by day wage staff, rickshaw pullers, college-goers, households and even celebrities — to its pav bhaji for over 50 years.

It began as an outlet the place a gentleman, Sardar Ahmed, would promote snacks to mill staff making their manner residence after a tiring shift. At this time, its pav bhaji thrills the lots and has a cult following from the world over.

Chef Umesh Patel whose household has been carrying on the legacy of the ‘Bombay Pav Bhaji‘ by way of their eateries, recounts in an interview, “In each go to to India, we at all times cease by there first, earlier than heading wherever else. The style is strictly the identical because it was once 30 years in the past. With twice the butter in comparison with different locations.” Even English meals author and tv prepare dinner Nigella Lawson stopped by the outlet while in Mumbai and deemed the pav bhaji “probably the most marvellous mush”.

4. Manohar Pav Bhaji

Stated to be over a century previous, this outlet in Mumbai’s Girgaum is a crowd-puller for a lot of causes. It melds an important recipe with consistency as batches of bhaji are allowed to simmer on the enormous tawa on the entrance, with beneficiant dollops of butter being added at intervals.

You’ll by no means be at a loss for firm even when alone. The proprietor is a nice storyteller who loves treating friends to how they’ve been constantly delivering “Mumbai’s #1 pav bhaji” for many years now. Additionally they provide a Jain model made with peas, tomatoes and capsicums that also manages to ship a punch of flavour in each mouthful.

However the principle hero is an accolade on the wall — a framed cutout of an article that chronicles Chicago-based meals historian Colleen Taylor Sen’s quest for one of the best pav bhaji within the metropolis. Manohar’s was the winner!

5. Amar Juice Centre

Whereas historians might select the pav bhaji at Manohar’s, celebrities love the one at this iconic outlet in Mumbai’s Vile Parle. Actress Sonam Kapoor who loves experimenting with avenue meals retailers has typically talked about that her private favorite for pav bhaji is Amar Juice Centre. Swara Bhaskar too shares this love. Even Sanjana Sanghi (of ‘Dil Bechara’ fame) revealed in an interview that she adores the outlet for its pav bhaji.

6. Cannon Pav Bhaji

If meals bloggers who’ve visited this iconic eatery in Mumbai’s Fort space are to be believed, over 50 kg of butter is used day by day to churn out the hundreds of plates of pav bhaji that this eatery makes per day. That isn’t the one fascinating truth. Cannon Pav Bhaji’s feat even made it to a preferred tv industrial promoting the astounding energy of a detergent in cleansing stains!

The eatery’s proximity to the bustling Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus means it sees crowds flocking to it, particularly throughout peak hours. However nothing daunts the workforce of ladies who’re on the helm of affairs.

7. Achija

The khaugallis of Mumbai are full of quite a few hole-in-the-wall eateries. In case you’re stopping by the khaugalli at Ghatkopar, don’t miss out on the Achija outlet which serves a finger-licking masala pav bhaji which we hear is heavenly. Additionally they serve cheese and butter variations of pav bhaji, that are equally good, however the masala model is the rationale for serpentine queues across the block.

8. Shree Siddhivinayak Quick Meals

The outlet is situated on Juhu Seashore, promising you an important view when you gorge on a few of the most appetising pav bhaji. The pinnacle chef right here is popularly referred to as the ‘Grasp Pav Bhaji Maker of Mumbai’ and he doesn’t disappoint along with his makes. Although quite a few eateries dot the panorama of the seashore, you’ll have the ability to inform which one is Shree Siddhivinayak Quick Meals simply from the group gathered exterior.

Edited by Pranita Bhat