Wander & Wonder: Exploring Mumbai

Welcome to Wander & Wonder, your passport to exploring the world (or even the local places I love) through history, food, and culture. I'm not a professional blogger - just someone who loves to explore places in the simplest way and capture whatever I can with genuine curiosity. Think of this as my personal travel diary!

I am pretty much obsessed with travelling and exploring local spots here and there all the time, especially destinations that are planned out of nowhere and turn out to be amazing. They always have elements of surprise, chaos, or both that make the journey even more rapchik (cool!) and tend to be better than expected—well, in most cases, haha!

Why Mumbai, India?

Here, I’d like to start with one of the cities of my motherland that I absolutely love for various reasons - Mumbai, India.❤️ I have been here twice in the past. Recently, I visited again after almost three years during the weekend. I was a bit anxious since I only had two days to explore the city. But suffice it to say, I still cherished those two days with the right company (I got to spend some quality time with a friend of mine!) and the perfect amount of craziness! Besides, traveling within India always fills my heart with joy! Everything here feels like a deep dive into my roots, reconnecting with the culture that I grew up experiencing that makes India so unique!

One of the reasons I love Mumbai is its street food! So yum…!!! I remember when I visited it in 2021, I devoured Pav Bhaji and Tawa Pulav from the food corners in the narrow streets near Juhu Beach. I also enjoyed Bhel, Pani Puri, and Roasted Spiced Corn on the beach! I will never forget that experience. I guess my love for street food and obsession with Bollywood movies brought me back here again after three years!

Our Two-Day Adventure

Anyway, let's dive into the main part of our trip! With only two days at our disposal, we decided to focus on the two most vibrant and culturally significant areas of the city: South Mumbai and Bandra West.

Day One - South Mumbai

Cafe Leopold and Its Tragic Past

We started with Cafe Leopold, an Irani cafe with a tragic history related to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008. It was one of the first sites attacked during the terrorist strike, marking a tragic moment in the city’s history. Prior to the attack, Cafe Leopold was particularly known as a popular hangout for foreign tourists. Even today, The cafe still bears the marks of that fateful day - gunshot scars on the windows that serve as silent witnesses to resilience and survival.

We enjoyed brunch here. It was a bittersweet experience - honoring the tragic history while seeing how Cafe Leopold has kept its charm intact!

History of Cafe Leopold

Colaba Market: A Shopper’s Paradise

After enjoying our brunch at Cafe Leopold, we headed to Colaba Market, which has lots of local shops. I couldn't resist shopping for some traditional jewelry and found an amazing collection of Jhumkas (traditional earrings originated in India) and Chandbali (Afghanistani earrings). Additionally, Colaba Market is a fantastic place to shop for clothes, footwear, and accessories - all at relatively cheaper prices compared to other areas. However, the prices here can be quite demanding for tourists, so make sure to bargain. It gets a lot easier if you have a local friend/guide with you to assist. I was lucky to have my friend by my side!

Hotel Taj & Gateway of India

We saw the majestic Taj Mahal Hotel which was the main target of the 26/11 attack. We witnessed part of its stunning renovation post-attack. You can really see the difference in the old and new wing architecture of the building. The Gateway of India is located right across the hotel. I had been there before, so we just walked around. You can take some great pictures with your friends right in front of it and get copies with the help of the photographers who roam around. You can also take a 45-minute ferry ride from there to the Caves of Elephanta if you want to explore more of the history and heritage of Western India or visit Alibaug Beach.

Theobroma Bakery

We stumbled upon this bakery, a well-known patisserie chain in India with an interesting history.  It was started by two sisters in 2004, who faced challenges in raising capital and transitioning from a home-based business to a retail store. The store we visited was their very first location. I personally loved their Outrageous Chocolate Brownie and was thrilled to find out that they also have a store in my hometown, Surat!

How could I forget Vada Pav?

Before heading back, there was one thing I absolutely had to do—try Vada Pav, a famous Mumbai street food! There’s a street stall called Ashtavinayak Katta Tandoori Vada Pav located in Thane. It is very well known for its Tandoori Vada Pav. We waited in the queue for more than half an hour, and it was so worth it.

We tried the Cheese Mayo Tandoori Vada Pav, and it was an absolute delight! If you are ever in Thane, you should definitely visit this stall - trust me, it’s a must-try. But fair warning: it’s spicy enough to bring tears to your eyes, so eat at your own risk! As I learned from experience, Maharashtrian food definitely brings the heat! 🌶️🔥

Ashtavinayak Katta

More of South Mumbai - We also took the time to wander around the streets of South Bombay, exploring its inner lanes that really captures the authentic local Bombay vibes. There were so many shops, including plenty of designer fashion stores. What I love most about South Bombay is its stunning old historic buildings and beautiful architecture. Even popular franchises like Starbucks and Westside have set up shop inside these historic buildings, keeping the charm alive while adding a modern touch. It was fascinating to see how traditional elements coexist with modern brands, giving the area a unique culture and an irresistible vibe. It’s like me being both old-school and trendy at the same time - super cool! 😂✨

Marine Drive

Before dinner, we made a quick stop at Marine Drive - Nariman Point to catch the sunset. It is famously known as the “Queen’s Necklace” because, at night, when viewed from an elevated point, the streetlights along the curved road resemble a string of pearls. We sat there for an hour, soaking in the view.I was particularly excited to be here because of my love for the Bollywood movie Wake Up Sid, which beautifully captures Mumbai life. One of its most iconic scenes was shot right here on Marine Drive. And more recently, a heart-touching scene from Netflix’s Mismatched Season 3 was also filmed at this spot. And honestly, sunsets are my thing - no matter which city I am visiting, it is the moment I look forward to the most. So if you are a sunset lover, do not miss this one!

Day Two - Bandra

Day two was all about spending time in Bandra, one of the most vibrant and culturally rich areas of Mumbai. Bandra is famous for its Bandra Fort, Mount Mary’s Basilica, street art, and of course, the residences of Bollywood celebrities! This day took a few unexpected turns. We had planned something else, but we ended up somewhere completely different - and it was so worth it!

Bandra Fort & Bandra Bandstand - First thing in the morning, we headed to Bandra Fort, but as soon as we arrived, we found out the fort was closed until 5 PM. So, instead, we decided to walk over to the nearby Bandra Bandstand, a beautiful beach. Although we missed out on the Bandra Fort this time, don’t skip it if you visit! It’s been recently renovated and is definitely worth exploring.✨

Jio World Centre

Since it was Christmas time, we planned to visit the Jio World Drive (a shopping mall) to enjoy the Christmas festival happening there. However, due to a little mix-up in directions, we ended up at Jio World Centre instead! It’s home to the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), so we decided to check it out—and we were not disappointed! The NMACC is a global hub for world-renowned businesses, designed in the most modern and innovative ways while still reflecting a beautiful Indian touch. It was an unexpected detour, but one that left us truly impressed! They have an Art House to showcase exhibitions and a grand theatre to showcase the classic masterpieces such as Mughal-E-Azam. This place literally boasts Indian arts and culture in its most unique ways since it’s a vision of the Founder Nita Ambani!

Jio World Drive

We finally made it to the Jio World Drive and soaked in the festive Christmas vibes and beautiful decorations! 🎄✨

Not leaving without having Misal Pav - The star of the show for me was the dish I had for dinner - Mumbai's famous Misal Pav. We got a take out from Mamledar, known for serving the best Misal Pav in the city. Even though we ordered it with medium spiciness, it was still fiery! But it’s an absolute must-try. As I write this, my mouth is watering!!! To cool things down, we had to order some waffles to balance it out. A spicy start and a sweet finish - what more could you ask for? ✨

Misal Pav from Mamledar

In just two days, I got a taste of Mumbai’s vibrant culture, mouth watering food, and a little bit chaotic yet charming vibe. Sure, I missed out on a lot of places and dishes, but hey, that just gives me an excuse to come back! Traveling via Mumbai Local was a whole adventure on its own - crowded, sweaty, and slightly terrifying - but definitely faster (and cheaper) than battling Mumbai traffic or traveling through cabs. For two days, I truly lived like a Mumbai local!

And yes, I kind of hoped to bump into a celebrity - preferably Rohit Saraf - but alas, the universe had other plans. Next time, Rohit… next time. 😉✨