Mumbai is the city that never sleeps and that comes as no surprise because there’s so much to do here. Whether it’s catching the morning sunset on one of the beautiful promenades or unwinding at one of the city’s part spots in the evening, Mumbai offers experiences that are unique to the city.
So whether you’re looking for a taste of the city, a peek into its cosmopolitan culture or its music scene, we’ve listed some of the spots and things Mumbai is famous for.
Mumbai is Famous For: Street Markets and High-End Malls
1. Hill Road
This Bandra road is the ultimate shopping destination offers the best deals on clothes and shoes. Head there on the weekend as that is when you’ll find the most variety of tops and shoes at super reasonable prices. Do exercise your bargaining skills here.
- Where: Hill Road, Bandra
- Timings: 11am to 9pm
- Tip: It gets crowded in the evening so to browse in peace, head there at 11 am
2. Colaba Causeway
A major attraction with locals and tourists alike, this bustling area offers great deals on everything from shirts and dresses to shoes and accessories. You can also find some great trinkets and good quality leather shoes at cheaper rates (don’t forget to bargain). This area offers a complete Mumbai experience.
- Where: Colaba, Mumbai
- Timings: 11 am to 10 pm
- Tip: Do wear comfortable shoes as the pathway can get uneven
- Where to Stay: Hotels near Colaba Causeway Mumbai
3. Palladium
Mumbai is often considered to be one of the country’s best shopping hubs and the Palladium is one of the reasons for that. It offers the best high end brands such as Gucci, Burberry and Jimmy Choo as well as high street labels such as Zara and Sephora. There are also many eating joints to check out here as well.
- Where: Lower Parel
- Timing: 11 am to 10 pm
- Tip: You will find High Street Phoenix right next door.
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Mumbai is Famous For: Food on the Street
1. Mohammed Ali Road
If you want some hearty non-vegetarian food then visit this road that offers delicious biryani, nalli nihari, quail, shawarma, keema and a whole lot more. Some of the must try dessert here includes the warm mawa jalebis. While there are stalls through the year, the best time to visit is during Ramadan.
- Where: Mohammed Ali Road, Mumbai
- Timings: 11 am to 10 pm (open late during Ramadan)
- Tip: Head to Surti Barah Handi for a traditional meal.
- Where to Stay: Hotels near Mohammed Ali Road Mumbai
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2. Juhu Beach
To get a taste of Mumbai’s street food, you have to visit Juhu beach that boasts of a number of eateries that offer everything from vada pav and sev puri to coconut water and falooda. During the monsoon, you must try the bhutta (corn on the cob) that’s served with butter, sea salt and a hit of masala.
- Where: Juhu, Mumbai
- Timings: The best time to visit is at sunrise and sunset
- Tip: The chaat is a must have
- Where to Stay: Hotels near Juhu Beach Mumbai
Mumbai is Famous For: Monuments & Iconic structures
1. Gateway of India
Undoubtedly Mumbai’s most iconic monument, the Gateway of India’s construction started in 1911 and was finished 13 years later. Done up in a stunning Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, this huge stone monument stands tall with four bartizans and detailed latticework. Do make sure to carry your camera.
- Where: Apollo Bandar, Colaba
- Timings: All day
- Tip: You can catch a boat from here to Alibaug
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2. Taj Mahal Hotel
Bang opposite the Gateway, you will find the Taj Mahal Hotel, another famous Mumbai structure. Built by Sir J N Tata, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, it is over 100 years old and boasts gorgeous red domes and curved towers. A trip to Mumbai will be incomplete without a glimpse of this elegant hotel.
- Where: Apollo Bandar, Colaba
- Tip: They have a number of high-end brands and restaurants as well
3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST)
This bustling train station was formerly known a Victoria Terminus and sees thousands of people every day. If you love history and architecture, you must take a Mumbai train (another must-experience) to CST. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts of gothic architecture with gargoyles, stained glass and intricate carvings.
- Where: Fort, Mumbai
- Timings: Open 24 hours
- Tip: To enjoy the architecture, visit off peak hours, namely 11 am to 3 pm
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Mumbai is Famous For: Nightlife
4. Trilogy
This is one of the city’s most popular and high end nightclubs that sees guest DJs come from across the world to play here. With a wooden bar, glittering staircase, gigantic dance floor and VIP sections, this place is a must visit on Saturday. And they have just launched new properties right there called Trilogy SuperClub and Trilogy BeachClub to cater to all your partying needs.
- Where: Hotel Sea Princess, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu
- Timings: 10 pm to 3 am (Closed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday)
- Tip: Do make sure to book a table in advance
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5. XXO
If you want to party in style, then this Mumbai nightspot, which has already established itself as one of the most happening places in the city, is a must visit. They play great dance music and have some of the best cocktails in the city. With great staff and a good view (grab a table near the window as its on the 37th floor), you’re sure to have a great time.
- Where: The St. Regis, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel
- Timing: 7 pm to 3 am
- Tip: A price of a cocktail here is Rs. 1000
6. Aer
For a night under the stars with the best of hospitality, visit this beautiful rooftop club that offers some delicious drinks and an even better view of the city. With classy interiors and an elegant vibe, it may not be the spot for dancing, but Aer is popular for after work drinks and couple dates. It is also a hotspot with celebrities in Mumbai.
- Where: Four Seasons Hotel, Worli
- Timing: 5 pm to 2 am
- Tip: Do try to head here before sunset as the view is magnificent
Mumbai is Famous For: Fine-dining Restaurants
1. Wasabi by Morimoto
It’s not every day that you can visit a city that offers authentic sushi and rare sakes, prepared by a Michelin star celebrity chef. Wasabi by Morimoto, started by Iron Chef Morimoto, offers you delicious Japanese food such as white fish carpaccio and black cod miso. The restaurant often features on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants lists.
- Where: Taj Mahal Palace, Colaba
- Timing: 12 am to 2.45 pm and 7 pm to 11.45 pm
- Tip: Do try their fun creations such as wasabi crème brulee
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2. Masque
When it comes unique dining experiences that Mumbai has to offer, you must check out Masque. Their USP is that they support the farm to table concept which translates into a lot of fun for diners as the menu keeps changing according to the season.
- Where: Dr. E. Moses Road, Mahalaxmi
- Timing: 7.30pm to 12am (Closed on Monday)
- Tip: This is a great place for an intimate dinner or brunch
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3. The Bombay Canteen
This restaurant focuses on ingredients found in and around the city and shows off their culinary skill with fun twists of traditional dishes. Here you can find a range of creative dishes such as the seafood bhel, red rice biryani and their popular gulab nut infused with Old Monk rum.
- Where: Lower Parel
- Timing: 12pm to 1am
- Tip: Their cocktails use Mumbai spices and are delicious.
Mumbai is Famous For: Museums & Galleries
1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
Formerly named the Prince of Wales Museum, this museum was designed by George Wittet, who also was part of the Gateway of India project. At this vast museum you will find artefacts from the Mughal Empire, as well rare heirlooms from Europe, Nepal, Tibet, Japan, and China. Their coin section is also worth seeing.
- Where: Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort
- Timing: 10.15 am to 6 pm
- Tip: Do visit the website to see what collections are being shown.
2. Jehangir Art Gallery
The most popular gallery on the art scene, Jehangir Art Gallery was founded in 1952, and boasts of four halls including one for photography. This gallery has showcased the works of MF Husain, SH Raza, Akbar Padamsee, Ram Kumar, Anjolie Ela Menon as well as a number of upcoming local artists. Visit this gallery for glimpse into the city’s art culture.
- Where: Kala Ghoda, Mumbai
- Timings: 11 am to 7 pm (open all days)
- Tip: There are a number of eateries nearby worth checking out.
- Where to Stay: Hotels near Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai
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Mumbai Is Famous For: Promenades
1. Worli Seaface
Mumbai offers some of the best views of the ocean thanks to its many promenades. And one of the best maintained ones is Worli seaface where you will find a number of joggers, couples and families making use of the wide and smooth pathway. It’s a great place to watch the city go by and to marvel at the sunset.
- Where: Worli
- Timings: All day
- Tip: Occasionally this promenade has food festivals and art shows
2. Bandstand
Bandra’s pride, this promenade is a must-visit when you’re in Mumbai. Many Bollywood stars call this area home, so if you’re lucky you may even spot Salman Khan or Shah Rukh Khan. There are a few eating stalls as well as a Bollywood walk of fame with statues of yesteryear screen legends, that you can click pictures with.
- Where: Bandra
- Timings: All day
- Tip: The Bandra Fort is also walking distance away and is worth exploring.
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Mumbai Is Famous For: Live Shows
1. The Quarter
This is Mumbai’s newest spot that offers live music from local and international artists. It is already made a mark on the live music scene in the city and offers four spaces under one roof at the Royal Opera house. There is the performance venue as well as restaurants and a wine and mozzarella bar. This is a popular spot visited by people from across the world.
- Where: Opera House
- Timings: 10 am to 1 am
- Tip: Make sure to book tickets online as they sell out fast
2. NCPA
The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), is often considered to be India’s premier cultural institution. Here you can catch carious vibrant works in the field of music, dance, theatre, film, literature and photography. They host over 700 events each here and people flock here for their jazz, opera and symphony performances by the Symphony Orchestra of India.
- Where: Nariman Point
- Timings: 10 am to 1 am
- Tip: They also have a membership scheme that is good if you love live shows.
Mumbai Is Famous For: City Tours
1. Slum Tours
While not everyone agrees with the practice, Slum Tours are very popular with tourists, particularly Europeans who have heard about Dharavi. Several operators offer two-to-three-hour tours of the slum city, showcasing the good and bad about life there.
- Where: Dharavi
- Timings: All through the day
- Tip: Once done, go buy some leather from one of the wholesale stores
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2. Bollywood Tours
The Bollywood capital, Mumbai is home to several major movie studios and Bollywood celebrities. Several operators package this into a fun day out for fans of the genre. You can head to different locations, often even watch a shoot, and head over to see the houses of stars such as Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.
- Where: All over Mumbai
- Timings: All day long
- Tip: Be sure to review prices before you pay
As you can see, Mumbai is famous for a number of one-of-a-kind experiences. Whether you’re looking for music or great food, the city has plenty of options that are exciting and let you experience the true essence of this bustling and vibrant city. Let us know about your visit to these locations in the comments below.
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