A foodies guide to: Mumbai

Top of the list was Metro Pizza, probably not what you were expecting but according to our Mumbai colleagues they make the most incredible wood fired pizzas. It’s run by an Italian who has lived in Mumbai for many years and greets every visitor with a “buonasera” and sings along to the Italian music that plays throughout the day. There are plenty of authentic Italian dishes to choose from, including the recommended pizzas.

For fantastic Indian food, the only place to go to is Pali Bhavan. They serve up the most amazing cuisine inspired by coastal Indian food and the setting is reminiscent of a country lodge, home to Indian Maharajas. The whole décor draws inspiration from the past, with antique touches found in the furnishings as well as the tableware. There’s plenty of choice on the menu, so it’s ideal if you’re looking for something a little more exciting than your standard curry fare, and the cocktails are well prepared, though a little on the pricey side. Our Mumbai office seemingly has a soft spot for a good biryani though, with two restaurants mentioned based solely on the strength of these dishes. Lucky Restaurant comes out on top for a spicy chicken tikka biriyani, whilst Zaika triumphs with its long grain basmati rice mutton biryani.

The latest trend in Mumbai is for quirky Mexican food, and in our opinion Zapata’s is the place to go. Offering a wide and varied menu encompassing all the Mexican classics you’d expect, it also has a great, lively atmosphere and colourful décor. Another quirky favourite is The Tasting Room in Lower Parel, it has gorgeous décor along with an interesting menu pulling inspiration for its dishes from across the globe. The ambiance is very laid back but the place can get full pretty quickly, luckily there’s a large bar so you can always chill out there with a cocktail or two and soak it up there instead.

For something sophisticated, we’ve got a couple on places in mind. The first offers outstanding al fresco dining, with plenty of live entertainment. It’s the Olive Bar & Kitchen, so you can spend an evening here easily and there’s even a mural painted by Baz Lurhman. It’s a big hit with the hip and trendy of Mumbai, and of course the ACS crew themselves, especially on a Thursday. Equally the high tea at the Sea Lounge in the Taj Mahal Palace hotel is a must-do, with views of the harbour and an array of sandwiches and cake. You can always follow this up with a cheeky beer at Café Mondegar on the Coloba Causeway too.