India’s enormous, multicultural metropolis

Top Tables

Crystal Palace
For decades Crystal Palace has been a secret guarded zealously by the students of Wilson College, the backdrop for many a Bollywood film. But you can’t keep a great menu down and if you’re looking for some hearty village-style food, you should wedge yourself in at one of their tables. The aloo gobi (potato and cauliflower), the peeli dahl (yellow dahl) and the baingan bharta (chargrilled aubergines) are unbelievably good, with rotis that exhale a puff of hot air as they subside on your side plate. Save space for the kheer (rice pudding), that isn’t served as sweet as other Indian desserts. 19 Chowpatty Seaface, +91 22 2369 1482

Don Giovanni
Don Giovanni Autunno does not mind children as long as they remain seated at the table to which they are assigned. He won’t permit shorts or flip-flops in his restaurant either. Still, Mumbai’s residents have a soft spot for this crusty old capo’s food, and turn up for his hand-made pastas, crunchy salads and super-fresh carpaccio. Atria Mall, +91 22 2481 3333

Suitcase Fillers

Good Earth
In a city starved of real estate, the sheer size of Good Earth spells luxury. Spread over three floors, it offers everything you need for your home, from sheer curtains to garden benches shaped like catamarans. Raghuvanshi Mills, +91 22 2495 1954

Talking Point

Pot Luck
Mumbaikers have reacted angrily to a warning posted on the US consulate website saying that Americans risk falling into manholes during the monsoon season. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation logged a complaint and claimed that no more than 10 people had been killed by manholes in recent years.

Don’t Miss This

Indian Independence Day
On 15 August, Indians celebrate 61 years of independence with festivities around town.