Mumbai is India’s melting pot, jampacked with a diverse population all seeking to live the country’s new economic dream. And the city’s newest hot spots for dining, shopping and pampering are a jumble, too, bringing together colorful clothing boutiques, opulent palace hotels and minimalist galleries with concrete floors — sometimes within blocks of each other. It’s all part of Mumbai’s invigorating chaos.
Photographs courtesy of Bungalow 8 Bungalow 8
Maithili Ahluwalia’s three-story concept shop has an eclectic but well-curated selection of furniture, jewelry, clothing and housewares. The styles are both Indian and Western (gilt wood picture frames, Indian textiles), with highlights including the in-house ready-to-wear collection and jewelry by Ahluwalia’s mother. 7 Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba; 011-91-22-2281-9880.
Photographs courtesy of Kala Ghoda Cafe Kala Ghoda Cafe
Set in the city’s art district, this cafe serves organic coffee, artisanal sandwiches and salads in an airy, light-filled renovated barn that doubles as a photo gallery. 10 Ropewalk Lane, Kala Ghoda; 011-91-98-3380-3418.
Theobroma Patisserie
Chocolate doesn’t feature in traditional Indian desserts, so if you feel a craving for cocoa, this tiny patisserie is the place to get your fix. The cakes and pastries are top notch, but it’s the brownies that are legendary among locals. Cusrow Baug Colony, Apollo Bandar; 011-91-22-2287-3778.
Photographs courtesy of Ogaan Ogaan
The popular Indian chainlet dedicated to showcasing the country’s emerging fashion designers recently opened a Mumbai flagship store in Colaba. Iron columns frame racks of clothing and accessories that give Indian silhouettes and embroidery a Western sensibility. Look for Kavita Bhartia’s bright, flowy floor-length halter dresses. 7 Best Marg, Colaba; 011-91-22-2283-3576.
Photographs courtesy of the Taj Mahal Palace The Taj Mahal Palace
After a $30 million restoration, this 107-year-old hotel reopened last year with a restored exterior and fully up-to-date rooms. What hasn’t changed is the property’s central role in the city’s social scene. To get a taste (and to splurge), book a table at the Zodiac Grill, the city’s best French restaurant. P J Ramchandani Marg, Apollo Bandar; 011-91-22-6665-3366
Photographs courtesy of the Oberoi The Oberoi
The modernist alternative to the Taj’s classicism, the Oberoi has undergone a head-to-toe renovation, reopening with a stark white-marble lobby, a restaurant run by the Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia, and a 24-hour spa. The best perk might just be the drop-dead seafront views, unmatched in all of Mumbai. Sir Dorab Tata Road; 011-91-22-6632-5757
Courtesy of Chatterjee and Lal Chatterjee and Lal
The husband-and-wife team of Mortimer Chatterjee and Tara Lal founded their gallery in 2003 with the aim of fostering progressive Indian artists and providing a platform for avant-garde work. With shows of emerging talent like Rashid Rana and Nityan Unnikrishnan, the gallery has attracted international attention, selling work to such institutions as Fondazione Fotografia Modena and the Devi Art Foundation. 01/18 Kamal Mansion, Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba; 011-91-22-2202-3787
Busaba
Set in a charming old bungalow, this bar and restaurant serves cocktails downstairs and pan-Asian dishes upstairs (Burmese khawsuey, Tibetan momos). The place hops on weekends with energetic hipsters dancing to the in-house D.J. Mandlik Road, Colaba; 011-91-22-2204-3769.
Photographs courtesy of Bungalow 8 Maithili Ahluwalia’s three-story concept shop has an eclectic but well-curated selection of furniture, jewelry, clothing and housewares. The styles are both Indian and Western (gilt wood picture frames, Indian textiles), with highlights including the in-house ready-to-wear collection and jewelry by Ahluwalia’s mother. 7 Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba; 011-91-22-2281-9880.
Photographs courtesy of Kala Ghoda Cafe Set in the city’s art district, this cafe serves organic coffee, artisanal sandwiches and salads in an airy, light-filled renovated barn that doubles as a photo gallery. 10 Ropewalk Lane, Kala Ghoda; 011-91-98-3380-3418.
Theobroma Patisserie
Chocolate doesn’t feature in traditional Indian desserts, so if you feel a craving for cocoa, this tiny patisserie is the place to get your fix. The cakes and pastries are top notch, but it’s the brownies that are legendary among locals. Cusrow Baug Colony, Apollo Bandar; 011-91-22-2287-3778.
Photographs courtesy of Ogaan The popular Indian chainlet dedicated to showcasing the country’s emerging fashion designers recently opened a Mumbai flagship store in Colaba. Iron columns frame racks of clothing and accessories that give Indian silhouettes and embroidery a Western sensibility. Look for Kavita Bhartia’s bright, flowy floor-length halter dresses. 7 Best Marg, Colaba; 011-91-22-2283-3576.
Photographs courtesy of the Taj Mahal Palace After a $30 million restoration, this 107-year-old hotel reopened last year with a restored exterior and fully up-to-date rooms. What hasn’t changed is the property’s central role in the city’s social scene. To get a taste (and to splurge), book a table at the Zodiac Grill, the city’s best French restaurant. P J Ramchandani Marg, Apollo Bandar; 011-91-22-6665-3366
Photographs courtesy of the Oberoi The modernist alternative to the Taj’s classicism, the Oberoi has undergone a head-to-toe renovation, reopening with a stark white-marble lobby, a restaurant run by the Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia, and a 24-hour spa. The best perk might just be the drop-dead seafront views, unmatched in all of Mumbai. Sir Dorab Tata Road; 011-91-22-6632-5757
Courtesy of Chatterjee and Lal The husband-and-wife team of Mortimer Chatterjee and Tara Lal founded their gallery in 2003 with the aim of fostering progressive Indian artists and providing a platform for avant-garde work. With shows of emerging talent like Rashid Rana and Nityan Unnikrishnan, the gallery has attracted international attention, selling work to such institutions as Fondazione Fotografia Modena and the Devi Art Foundation. 01/18 Kamal Mansion, Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba; 011-91-22-2202-3787
Busaba
Set in a charming old bungalow, this bar and restaurant serves cocktails downstairs and pan-Asian dishes upstairs (Burmese khawsuey, Tibetan momos). The place hops on weekends with energetic hipsters dancing to the in-house D.J. Mandlik Road, Colaba; 011-91-22-2204-3769.
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