Mumbai Entertainment

There is always something to do at Mumbai, whatever time of day it is. During the day, there are plenty of interesting places and attractions to visit. At night, Mumbai transforms itself into a different world, with plenty of entertainment opportunities to experience.

If you like to do something quiet, it is lovely to have a stroll at the Causeway and people-watch. The area is mesmerising, as there are hundreds of people around; yuppies in the latest designer clothes, mothers or maids watching over young children as they play, couples shyly holding hands, street urchins and limbless beggars. It really is an eye-opener, but it can be too much of a culture shock for many travellers.

Eating out

Cosmopolitan Mumbai is crammed with delightful places to have a meal, especially at Colaba, from five-star hotels with opulent restaurants to simple street vendors selling roti kebabs.

Gujerati, Hindu pure vegetarian meals, Muslim cuisine and spicy southern Indian foods can all be tasted at several fashionable restaurants and local dining spots at Colaba. Not far from the Taj Mahal Intercontinental Hotel there are several Chinese restaurants. At the north end of the Causeway are two dining spots which are favourites with tourists; Leopolds and Caf Mondegar.

Try Alps at Nawroji Fardunji Road and the Food Inn at Colaba Causeway, which serves excellent northern Indian cuisine. More expensive and stylish dining locations are Palkhi at Walton Road and the Tanjore at the Taj Mahal Intercontinental Hotel.

Local cuisine

Churchgate, Nariman Point, the central bazaars and Crawford Market are great places to enjoy meals of pao bhaji (flat bread stuffed with meat and vegetables), bhelpuri (puffed rice with deep fried vermicelli, potatoes, chilli paste, tamarind and many other Indian spices) and vadai (the Indian version of the doughnut). Chowpatty Beach is known for its food vendors, who are supposed to serve the best quality food of all of Mumbais food vendors. There are also many good restaurants and cafs at which to enjoy Chinese, local or Italian cuisine.

Bars, cabarets and nightclubs

There are bars and cabarets at Chowpatty Beach and Colaba Causeway. Juhu Beach is the place for travellers who love to party, as there are several trendy pubs, discos and bars here. Cabarets are usually found on Grant Road, but these spots are only for men. The Ghetto, near Breach Candy, is where the arty, yuppie, theatre types hang out at night. Nightclubbing is very popular in Mumbai with Copa Cobano, with its Latin music and tequilas, and The 1900s, at the Taj Mahal Intercontinental, being popular options.

Theatre and music

Mumbai is the home of the biggest movie industry in the world. Visitors should certainly watch one of the famous Bollywood movies in one of the citys gigantic cinema houses. Visitors can catch a movie at the Regal in Colaba, Eros opposite Churchgate Station and also at several other cinema houses, as even most villages in India have a small cinema within walking distance.

Shopping

Shopping is an extraordinary affair, as there is so much to choose from and at incredibly cheap prices because of the favourable exchange rates. Textiles, handicrafts, designer clothing and leather goods are all great buys and can be purchased from several retail shops.

The Chor Bazaar is the place to go if you are looking for antiques, but be prepared to bargain and look out for fakes! Phillips, at the corner of Madam Cama Road, is a reputable antique retail outlet, but prices can be a little steep. Books are very cheap here and bookstores are well-stocked with the latest novels from all genres.