Hearty meals
The upside of living in a melting pot that is Mumbai is the eclectic mix of cuisines that its inhabitants bring to the city. We pick some of the best homegrown and other community fare that is sure to leave an impression on your palate
MAHARASHTRIAN:Because whether it is thaali peeth, bhakri or kothimbirwadi, Maharashtrian food combines a good mix of spice and textures.Prakash: Near Shiv Sena Bhavan, Gokhale Road, Dadar Shivaji Park. Call: 022-24386094Aaswad: LJ Road, Shivaji Park, Gadkari Chowk, Dadar Shivaji Park. Call: 022-24451871, 022-24451876. (Across the road from Prakash)Vinay Health Home: Jawar Mansion, Thakurdwar, Dr BA Jaikar Marg, Charni Road. Call: 022-22081211, 022-22081310BENGALI: Because there's a lot more to this cuisine than its sweets, mustard fish and poshto.Bhojohori Manna: 3 & 4, Reliable Business Centre, Near Om Heera Panna Mall, Oshiwara, Andheri West. Call: 022-40142973.Calcutta Club: 22, Link Plaza, Near Police Station, Oshiwara, Andheri West. Call: 022-65013733Bijoli Grill: Hakone Children's Park, Hiranandani, Powai. Call: 022-65286604, 022-65286605.Hangla's: 269, Linking Road, Opposite Amarsons, Bandra West. Call: 022-30151315.RAJASTHANI:Because dal-batti-churma has for long hogged the limelight and because gatte-ki-subzi and ker-sangri are eager to come out from the shadows.Makhan: 192/194, Opposite Cotton Exchange, Next To Carron, Kalbadevi. Call: 022-22402597.Golden Star Thali: 330, Raja Rammohan Roy Road, Opposite Charni Road Station, Charni Road, Girgaum. Call: 022-30151162.Chokhi Dhani: Malhotra Steel Premises, Near Kalyan Bhiwandi Bypass, Nasik Highway, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Thane. Call: 0750-785 2000SINDHI:Because every Sunday can be a dal-pakwaan day.Royal Sindh: 2, Ground Floor, Opposite Jewel Shopping Centre, JP Road, 7 Bungalows, Andheri West. Call: 022-65356625, 022-65356626Kailash Parbat: Although the restaurant now serves everything from bhel puri to paneer koftas, visit them for their Sindhi specialties. Shop 5-8, Narayan Building, 1st Pasta Lane, Colaba. Call: +91-9322598788MALAYALI: For those days when you want to devour appams and stewTaste of Kerala: 6/A, Prospect Chambers Annex, Pitha Street, Near City Bank, Fort. Call: 022-22044545, 022-22044543.Rice Boat: 45, Samadhan, Western Express Highway, Gandhi Nagar, Bandra East. Call: 022-26403030, 022-26558832.Just Kerala: Hotel Samraj, Chakala Road, Andheri East. Call: 022-28363919.