(Left) Chef Manish eating vada pav at Anand vada pav stall opposite NM College (Pic/Nimesh Dave)
Manish Khanna, Co-founder of Brownie Point
After Khanna’s favourite vada pav stall on Bandra’s 15th Road shut shop, he discovered his current favourite: a stall outside NM College in Juhu Vile Parle. “The old-fashioned, porous soft pav, generously buttered and smeared with chutney, is mouth-watering. But the real star is the vada — a slightly creamy, mildly spicy filling with a crispy, crunchy exterior. It tastes exactly like it did 30 years ago," he says.
Where: Handcart opposite Mithibai College
Price: Rs 15
(Left) Chef Aditi outside Kirti College, at the famous Ashok Vada Pav (Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi)
Aditi Limaye, Founder, The Home Chef
One of Limaye’s favourites, which was once a modest thela, has now grown into a small shop called Babu Vada Pav. “Thankfully, the taste hasn’t changed,” she says — a rare win, since sometimes quality drops when their go-to joints upgrade. She is also a fan of Ashok Vada Pav, the famous spot outside Kirti College.
Where: Babu Vada Pav, Vile Parle
Price: Rs 25
(Right) Shree Datta Guru Snacks is a mandatory pitstop for many enroute Pune (Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi)
Ajay Samtani, Culinary head, Tanjore Tiffin Room, Bandra
Samtani remembers his childhood trips to Lonavala not just for the getaway, but for one specific stop — Shree Dattaguru Snacks near Palaspe Phata on the old Mumbai-Panvel highway. “We still take the old road instead of the Expressway because skipping this place just isn’t an option,” he says, adding, “Nothing has changed — not the pav, not the vada — but what makes it special is the lasun chutney. The balance of garlic and spice is perfect.”
Where: Dattaguru Snacks, Panvel
Price: Rs 20
(Left) Shantanu Gupte at Ruchi Vada Pav (Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi)
Shantanu Gupte, Restaurant Consultant
Gupte's current favourite vada pav is from Ruchi Vada Pav, which, he says, nails the balance. “Their chilli and yellow besan chutney are incredible — full of flavour and always consistent. They make everything in small batches throughout the day. That’s why the vadas are always piping hot. Everything, right down to how it’s wrapped in paper, works,” he shares.
Where: Ruchi Snacks and Vada Pav, Pokharan Road 1, Thane West
Price: Rs 15
(Left) Bholanath Mhatre of Bhola Vada Pav along with Chef Richard D’Souza (R) (Pic/Satej Shinde)
Richard D’Souza, Chef, Joshi House and Shelter
For D’Souza’, his favourite breaktime and unwinding is associated with a vada pav. “The Bhola Vada Pav in Worli Koliwada market uses fresh ingredients and stays till everything’s sold out. No shortcuts, no drama — just solid street food,” he says.
Where: Bhola Vada Pav at Kesharinath Buwa Bhaye Marg, Worli Koliwada
Price: Rs 15
Read full story: Mumbai chefs reveal their favourite vada pav spots in the city
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