7 street food outlets to score your commute munchies from in Mumbai

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When we got a box of baked vada pav puffs (Rs 650 for three) from Flour Power, we approached it with some amount of doubt. After all, the vada pav is best savoured at a popular rasta-type stall - be it outside Mithibai College in Vile Parle or at Ashok Vada Pav in Dadar.

A puff could be a flaky affair to give you vada pav vibes, but we decided to be open about this interpretation. At a closer glance, the puff wore a bow of a fried green mirchi; one bite into it, the perfectly baked crust paved way for a vada, seasoned with kadipatta, rai and lahsoon. We tucked into it, sipped on chai as the rain pelted down. Approved.

Ayesha Mehta, baker and founder of Flour Power (@flourpowerbyam on Instagram), says, "It was imperative that we get the potato filling of the vada bang on; we even get our in-house chefs from Ratnagiri to prepare the dry red chutney thecha. My favourite vada pav is the one at Worli, so it was my inspiration for these puffs." Mehta started her cloud kitchen in 2019 in Chowpatty. Known for puffed vada pavs, Korean buns, Italian stuffed doughnuts and pesto cheese babkas, she delivers across Mumbai.

Our second fun find was bhutta and burrata (Rs 400), a unique dish on the menu of Bombay Sweet Shop's outlet (bombaysweetshop.com) on Perry Road, Bandra. In Gujarati households, corn khichdi is a regular staple, but this one takes its inspiration from the Indori bhutte ka kees. Girish Nayak, its chief mithaiwala, says, "We celebrate chaat and local savoury dishes from India by giving them a contemporary and new-age makeover. Bhutte ka kees is especially enjoyed during the monsoon season when fresh corn is abundant in local markets. We took these two indulgences as cue to source a few more Mumbai street food eats available on city restaurant menus.

Crispy triple Schezwan rice: For your Indo-Chinese and desi cravings, head to the veggie-themed Great Biryani Festival. While it has the authentic subz Mughlai dum pukht Biryani to Hyderabadi variations, get your fill of oriental crispy triple Schezwan rice, tossed with crunchy veggies and a spicy sauce.
Till: September 8
At: All Cream Centre outlets
Cost: Rs 495

Paani puri with kalamata olive, edamame and spiced potato: The traditional street food favourite gets an innovative uplift with molecular gastronomy. Kalamata olives, edamame, and spiced potatoes enrich the puri with the finish of a tangy and spicy paani in flavours including classic, cider orange and chilli guava.
At: Plot B 12, Ghanshyam Chamber, Lokhandwala, Andheri West.
Cost: Rs 335

Nitro bhel: Think of your bhel puri in its most elevated avatar. Puffed rice is packed into transparent edible potato starch sheets. The bhel is made at your table and served with all the chutneys and toppings. Liquid nitrogen magic trick chills the dish before serving.
At: SpiceKlub, Lower Parel.
Cost: Rs 575

Bombay bomb: Chef Bhairav Singh pays an ode to evenings in Girgaon's Chowpatty beach with this Bombay bomb; it includes crispy and baked Talegaon batata shells that are filled with a sweet-spicy chutney which is dropped on a bed of chana jor garam.
At: Native Bombay, 10-12, Cochin Street, Ballard Estate, Fort.
Cost: Rs 350

Pakoras with chutney

Monsoon hi-chai: Bole toh, high tea! Pritam Da Dhaba has always engaged in some quirky word play with their fare. Folks at this popular eatery have designed an Indianised take on British high tea. While you sip on the cuttings, you get a side of Mumbaiya roadside sandwich and pakoras.
At: Pritam Da Dhaba, Swami Ganjivandas Marg, Dadar East.
Cost: Rs 295

Mumbaiya sandwiches

Taste twist

Pav bhaji cones: Indulge in buttery pav bhaji served in bread baked in cone-shaped moulds. Topped with cheese, it promises to be a filling affair.
At: 145 Cafe & Bar, Temple Bar Building, First Floor, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort.
Cost: Rs 275