Eat, Drink & Shop: Here’s Everything You Can Do In Bandra

In Mumbai, we live and breathe street shopping. And there’s no better place than Hill Road. Whether you’re looking for a pair of jeans, the trendiest dresses or blouses, or jewellery—you’ll find it all here. The entire street springs to life at noon and stays busy until shops begin to shut around 9 PM. You could shop all day here; just make sure you have a knack for bargaining.

While you may find what you need on the streets, there are still several shops like La Judi for shoes, Miniso for cute knick-knacks, Fendi Boutique for dresses, and more.

Yet another street market, Linking Road market, has existed long before vendors took over Hill Road. Offering a similar shopping experience as Hill Road, we recommend covering both streets to ensure you have everything you need for your wardrobe. You can easily conduct a haul here for shoes, kurtis, tops and what not.

LBB-tip: The market is closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly.

The Mumbai outpost of Delhi’s The Shop fits right into the Pali Village neighbourhood. Racks full of boho-chic clothing for women adorn the store, and you’ll get sustainable home decor and lots and lots of crockery too. You can pick up a stole as a souvenir or bed linen for your home from this swanky concept store. Shopping here will cost you upwards of INR 500.

Timings: 11 am to 9 pm

Prices: INR 500

While you can shop for Freedom Tree’s home decor on LBB, you can also step into their studio in Bandra. Located on 28th Road, the store’s lifestyle products sit around, and you can shop for their vibrant furnishings, planters, top-notch ceramic collection, and more. We recommend picking up something as a souvenir.

Timings: 11 am to 8 pm

Prices: Starting at INR 500

The bookstore calls itself Mumbai’s first large-format boutique bookstore. And, because of the lack of space in most bookstores in the city, we can’t help but agree that it’s one of the few larger ones. Neat aisles carry an array of titles, with dedicated sections for poetry and comic books too. You can sit here and dive deep into a few pages over some coffee, as there’s an outpost of Di Bella too.

Timings: 10 am to 8 pm

If there’s an outfit you need that a celebrity wore, chances are The Styling Room will have it. The little boutique curates a lot of homegrown brands along with international brands like Skims, Showpo, Runway Label, and more. Owned by celebrity-stylist Anisha Gandhi, the shop has vacation-ready clothes, statement party pieces, as well as timeless classics, all curated by Anisha herself. And if you struggle with styling, she will pick the perfect outfit with matching jewellery and shoes.

Timings: 9 AM to 9 PM

Prices: Starting at INR 1,000

Shopping at Sensing House isn't just about shopping, it's about first experiencing these things in person. Sensing House is a wellness boutique that curates unique and independent brands that emphasise mindfulness and sustainability. Expect handmade jewellery from Batoki, journals from Zenify, skin care from Sohrai, matcha from Ilem Japan, and even their own line of biodegradable clothing, Sensing Your Skin, which feels like a second skin! And the best part? If you find Humera, who's the sweetest founder, she will help you to find the products most suited to what you're looking for.

Timings: 11 AM to 8 PM

Price: Starts at INR 1,799 for Sensing Your Skin

If you are one of the believers in the magic of storytelling, Fictionary Bookstore in Bandra should be on your list of things to do in Bandra. This is India's first fiction-only bookstore founded by Anup Nair to celebrate fiction in all its forms, from fantasy and sci-fi to feminist, queer, and historical fiction. Whether you lean towards slice-of-life stories or mind-bending magical realism, the curated collection makes sure that there is something for every kind of book-lover.

Timings: 9 AM to 10 PM

LBB-tip: The bookstore doubles as a cosy retreat with a delightful bakery tucked at the back, perfect for pairing fresh bakes and coffee with your latest literary escape.

A legendary dive bar in the neighbourhood, we believe that this is where the spirit of Bandra comes together. Soul Fry is a laid-back space offering Goan food and cheap drinks. You’ll mostly spot locals and those few who still remember to stop by here, but that doesn’t guarantee that the space won’t be full. 

Price For Two: INR 1,200

Must Try: Fish Ambotik Chicken Cafreal, Sol Kadhi and Fish Fty

The coffee shop that’s always packed to 100% capacity. Honestly, we don’t know a better way to describe the space, but Subko has been making much noise ever since it opened doors in 2020. Offering speciality coffee, baked goods, and some bites, Subko is housed on the lower floor of Mary Lodge, an old Goan bungalow in Bandra village.

Price for Two: INR 800

Must Try: Chorizo, Cheese Sourdough, Espresso croissant, and Iced Latte

While these are three separate bakeries, we couldn’t help but club them together because a visit to all of them is quite likely in one trip. Located across from each other, we think these bakeries are the Holy Trinity of Bandra bakeries. Existing since the Raj, American Express dishes out delicious lemon tarts and sandwiches, while A1 (opens at 7 AM) offers chicken pan rolls, chicken croissants, veggie puffs, cutlets and more. Across the street, Hearsch Bakery is where you must order the Chicken Mayo Roll, Chicken Croissant and Ginger Lime Juice.

Price: Eating at all the three bakeries will cost you INR 500 approx.

While the neighbourhood is dotted with bars pouring several spirits and stirring up several cocktails, The Little Easy is worth stepping into because it has something for everyone. With great happy hours, craft beer, live sports screening, a private dining area, and even a Sunday brunch menu, why would you not want to step into this speakeasy? They mostly offer burgers, finger food and continental dishes to eat. 

Price for Two: INR 2,000

Must Try: Naan Bombs and Cocktails

Always serving banging food, Izumi in Bandra is one place that every foodie in Mumbai loves. It's a warm, intimate eatery that brings Japan’s authentic flavours and traditions to the city. Inspired by the chef’s travels across Sapporo, Otaru, and Hokkaido, Izumi’s menu is a work of an art with sushi, ramen, sashimi, kozara (small plates), and desserts that transport you back to Japan.

Must Try: Sapporo Soup Curry, Fish Bone Ramen, Prawn Okonomiyaki, Hanataba Tempura, Seared Tofu Carpaccio, Charred Napa Cabbage

Rating: 4.5/5

Cost For Two: INR 3,400

LBB-tip: Izumi is always packed, so make sure to reserve a table in advance to avoid long wait times!

There are several other legendary and new spots you can check out. For breakfast, there’s of course, Bombay Coffee House. To drink on a budget, head to Yatch or Janta. You can also stop at Carter Road Social or Drifter’s Tap Station. For a pan-Asian buffet, there's Global Fusion, or you can chow down on many plates at Foo’s Bandra outpost too. Then there’s the legendary Toto's Garage and Pali Village Cafe, among many others.

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, commonly called Mount Mary Church, is a Roman Catholic church that people frequent regardless of their beliefs. It sits on a hill overlooking the sea, and you can get a peaceful view from here. In 1570, when it was first built, it was a small chapel fashioned out of mud. Today, after having been rebuilt several times, it stands tall with Gothic arches and pillars of Malad stone dating back to 1904, and has fibreglass murals of the life of Mary on its blue interiors.

You can walk along the Bandstand Promenade and head to Bandra Fort right after. Built by the Portuguese as a watchtower, Castella de Aguada, Portuguese for 'Fort at the Waterpoint', which is now commonly called Bandra Fort. Most of it was destroyed by the British, lest it fall into the hands of the Marathas. Today, its stone walls and ruins are where you can sit and catch the sunset while looking out at the magnificent Bandra-Worli Sea Link and catching some views of Mahim Bay.

A small venue near Bandra Talao, The J Spot hosts comedy gigs on the regular. Simply scan for a show on Bookmyshow and book yourself a ticket to catch a local comic trying out new material. You’ll spot many big and small comics performing here, the likes of Karunesh Talwar, Aditi Mittal and Navin Noronha, among others.

An old fishing village, Ranwar Village, is right off Hill Road. Heritage Goan-Portuguese bungalows dot the tiny lanes, despite some buildings mushrooming here. The village is mostly home to several expats and creative types, tiny bakeries, graffiti on peeling walls, and more. Walk around and take in the sights of gorgeous old bungalows, grab Goan pao and marzipan at the bakeries, and explore the tiny alleys.

A community space, The Steps, or rather the Mount Mary Steps, has recently transformed into a venue where the community comes together every weekend for a festival. The programme usually includes performances by local artists, including musicians and dancers. Several activities for kids are hosted, and you can check out art installations too.

What else is there to do in Bandra if not walk along Carter Road and people-watch? Aunties in floral dresses, a celebrity out for a jog, and many dogs are what you’ll spot here. Go here for the views of the sea and the remaining few mangroves along the coast. You can simply sit here, enjoy the breeze, and play a game of chess on the tables laid out. There’s also a small skate park for kids and a dog park where you can take your pet.

Back in the day, it was believed that if a show was housefull at G7, it’s quite likely that the film would do well at the box office. Whether that remains true or not, catching a film on a screen at G7, Mumbai’s oldest multiplex, is a Mumbai experience no one should miss. The tickets are still cheap, the seats are a bit rickety, the 7 theatres inside have fans (switched off once the movie starts) and air  conditioning, and the snacks are old-school (popcorn, samosas, fryums, and chutney sandwiches) and pocket-friendly. What’s not to love?

When you step into the Rafi Mansion in Bandra, you'll find yourself confronted with the legacy of one of the most celebrated playback singers of India, Mohammed Rafi. This hidden gem is not merely a house, it is a time capsule of musical history that houses awards of Rafi Saab, letters from his fans, and gifts like a cricket bat with 97 of his popular songs. And the best part? The visit includes a private tour guided by the most humble Parvez ji. You can request him to play some of Rafi Saab's greatest hits on the vintage vinyl record.

The other charming Bollywood-era presence holds forth at Mehboob Studios, a film institution in Bandra. Established in 1954 by legendary filmmaker Mehboob Khan, it has become witness to the making of timeless classics such as Mother India. Today, its soundproof shooting floors, beautiful outdoor sets, and old-world charm make it the ideal spot for film shoots, fashion editorials, and music gigs. Whether you’re into films, photography, or just love old-school nostalgia with Bollywood slants, this is one place to add to your list of things to do in Bandra.

Contact: 022 2642 1626

Once the sun sets, Bandra turns into a second home for party peeps. Be it dancing, singing, or sipping on craft cocktails, this suburb has it all! Yacht is the place for fab music and drinks, while Monkey Bar is for when you're in the mood for karaoke nights. Mumbai's nightlife is as colourful and eclectic as its people, so slip on your dancing shoes for a night that’s going to be unforgettable!