WHY MUMBAI IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE CITIES

Mumbai feels like the New York City of India, bustling with cosmopolitan energy yet brimming with neighborhoods bursting with their own distinct charm and character. The city itself feels like a melting pot of so many cultures, from the Bollywood arts scene, the laid back Juhu beach lifestyle, and the busy streets of Colaba you can live so many lives here. I would highly recommend spending at least a week in Mumbai and separating your time in different parts of the city to experience the range of communities. During my time in Mumbai I was left dumbfounded by the egregious displays of wealth whilst simultaneously experiencing the harsh reality of some of the largest low income communities in Asia. The city can feel like a sensory overload at times but here are my top recommendations for navigating the vibrant chaos like a pro. 

Where To Stay 

Bandra West

Bandra West is the ultimate hipster neighborhood of Mumbai. This is the area where celebrities, musicians, and the artist communities thrive and there is no lack of entertainment around every corner. If you are looking for a great cafe, brunch spot, or want a break from Indian food for a meal, this is the ultimate foodie area. We absolutely loved Veronicas for the best sandwiches and brunch options. Bandra West is situated right along the Arabian Sea, don’t miss a stroll along the water for sunset and stop in at the Carter Road Skatepark to check out the Mumbai Skater Scene. 

Colaba 

Colaba is the premier tourist and entertainment area of Mumbai. Within Colaba lies the Gate of India and endless retail accompanied by premier restaurants, and its location in the Southern part of the city makes it ideal to be close to the majority of tourist attractions. Despite being a tourist area, Colaba still lets you feel as though you are getting to experience daily Indian life whilst feeling safe walking around. I suggest going to the Gate of India at sunset to get the best photos and then going for street food along Ibrahim Mohammed Road. This area is a really cool experience to walk at night even if you aren’t hungry. Suleman Bakery is a good point of reference for where you want to be in this area. There are so many art museums and galleries to check out in Colaba you’ll be busy, but you can’t leave without grabbing a chai in the famous Leopold Cafe. This spot is also known to be where tourists get asked to be extras in Bollywood Films so be on the lookout! 

Street Food 

When I first decided to go to India I told myself I would not eat any street food out of fear of getting sick. This viewpoint was naive and honestly unrealistic with how abundant and delicious street food is. Some of my best meals in India were on the side of the road in Mumbai. With that being said there is a way to be smart about eating street food to avoid getting sick. I suggest only choosing street food options that have physical restaurants / kitchens behind them. Chai tea is fine anywhere but if you are having any kind of actual cuisine you want to be sure the kitchen it’s being prepared in is close by. Obviously use your own judgment with what you feel looks safe to you, but you cannot leave Mumbai without trying Vada Pan from a street food vendor. 

Getting Around 

The public transport in Mumbai is absolutely incredible and one of the best ways to navigate the city and avoid dreaded hours of time spent sitting in traffic. I particularly loved taking the metro as a female because there is a woman's car on every train. The woman's car is a special experience with babies being passed around, henna tattoos in the works, and such a sense of safety. The Women’s car is where I got some of my favorite recommendations on what to do in the city so don’t be shy to try to make friends or ask for help. Also, don’t make the mistake of trying to ride the metro without a ticket or you will face a fine, this happened to me one morning. 

Some Of My Favorite Experiences Here: 

• Every Aroma Cooking we booked an airbnb experience with a local Mumbai Chef and it turned into hours of fun. She taught us how to make recipes that we can try to replicate when we get home and it was out of this world delicious. I suggest directly messaging her to book a cooking session! 

• Art Galleries devote an afternoon to going to one of the city's many art galleries and be sure to check out the national gallery near the gate of India as well. 

• Iranian Cafes are all over the city and a blend of Indian and Persian culture. These are the perfect spots to stop in for a quick bite and truly take in the food culture of Mumbai.