Being one of Mumbai’s corporate hubs, Lower Parel has a mind-boggling amount of restaurants to feed tens of thousands of hungry employees in its many sky rises. Tiny udupi joints, swanky pubs, chain outlets and even restaurants by celeb chefs like Jamie Oliver and Sarah Todd – you’ll find all kinds of restaurants in Lower Parel. Being located conveniently, between SoBo and Bandra, it is a meet-up spot for those in the suburbs and in town.
WHERE TO EAT IN LOWER PAREL
One would need a lot of time and moolah to properly experience the food in Lower Parel, however, here’s my humble attempt to list down the places I’ve tried.
PRONTO, Kamala Mills Compound
A relaxed, unfussy little place you can head to when you want some good, old-fashioned pizza! Apart from Lower Parel, they are also located in Bandra and Churchgate. The menu has Italian-inspired items- salads, soups and starters, sandwiches, pastas and pizzas along with mains like Pollo Arasto, pan-seared kingfish and red thai curry. I tried the BBQ chicken pizza and added corn. (Fact – I don’t like pizza without corn.) Overall, good portions, tasty, value-for money and a quiet, hang-out spot when you don’t want to head to a mall or a CCD.
212 ALL GOOD, Phoenix Mall
Homegrown, organic, pesticide-free… 212 All Good is an intriguing cafe that encompasses the essence of healthy eating because, well dieting is passe! The restaurant promotes healthy eating, but they aren’t talking about Chia seed pudding and acai bowls here.
I tried the Himalayan Trout with pea mash and sweet potato – subtly seasoned and excellent. I also sampled the lean tenderloin chilli corn carne came with bread that was weirdly crumbly. And the dessert, bread pudding with coconut milk, wasn’t overly sweet so no pangs of guilt! Win! Everything, including their mayo and ketchup is made in-house. Do try their version of cola which is caffeine-free, made with palm jaggery, sugar caramel and herbs.
FRANCESCO’S PIZZERIA, Phoenix Mall
After eating at Francesco’s Pizzeria, every other pizza I’ve had has failed in comparison. This tiny little white-washed Italian restaurant at Palladium is QUALITY ALL THE WAY! The length of their menu will have you agonizing over what to order, but take my advice and choose the Pollo Bianca and Piri Piri Chicken, the best I’ve tried on the menu so far. Their Nutella Cheesecake is fantastic, too! You won’t want to share!
PUNJAB GRILL, Palladium Mall
Order anything here, you won’t regret it! Visit Punjab Grill for top-notch ambience, service and an extraordinary meal. I visited to try out their special winter heirloom menu and was blown away by their Murgh Dalcha Tikka and Tamarind Tandoori Chicken wings. The starters and tikka itself make for a filling meal, but don’t miss out on the biryani and curries. Punjab Grill is a foodie’s delight!
THE ROLLING PIN, Opposite Phoenix Mall
A patisserie and restaurant serving ‘eggless-vegetarian’ fare, you can’t miss TRP’s bright glass façade when you turn in towards Phoenix Mall. The pastry section is definitely the highlight, showcasing whimsical-looking, indulgent pastries. However, if you just came for dessert and not a meal, you will have to stand by the glass cases and eat it, or pay extra to actually sit in the restaurant.
Diners can head to the next section, besides the open kitchen for a variety of English breakfast items, Continental fare, pizza, etc – a few hits and misses, here and there. My go-to dish is the panko-crusted mushroom stuffed with cheddar cheese. How good does it look?
BOMBAY CANTEEN, Kamala Mills
Tacos made of theplas, multi-grain khichdi, dhokla chaat, red snapper ceviche, rum-infused gulab jamun… everything at the Bombay Canteen is distinctly Bombay-ish, with a cool firang (foreign) twist. The Bombay Canteen is renowned for using local (and often ignored) ingredients, celebrating regional cuisine and richness of palates with the utmost finesse.
The ambience is different – a multitude of floral tiles, stained glass accents and brick walls. Even the little details here are nostalgia–inducing, right from the Kismi toffees at the entrance and the menu that looks like those old registers that teachers used to use. I’ve tried so many dishes here and loved them all – so if you’re in Mumbai and can only eat ONE meal in the city, this is where it should be at.
SHEESHA SKY LOUNGE, Raghuvanshi Mills Compound
I first went to Sheesha Sky Lounge when it was barely a month old, on a weeknight, and with over 40 tables, it still had a waiting list. Here’s all about my wonderful experience at Sheesha Sky Lounge , one that is bookmarked in my memory for the best Nalli Nihari I’ve ever had! The prices at most rooftop restaurants in Lower Parel are hiiiiiigh, so if you’re looking for an affordable one serving delicious Indian food with a side of hookah, here it is.
ELEMENTARIA BAKERY CAFÉ, Opposite Phoenix Mall
One of Mumbai’s finest dessert bars, this is a café in Lower Parel you could go to satisfy serious sweet cravings. I loved the red velvet tub cake, although I felt it was priced far higher than necessary. The snacks are limited, ranging from savoury croissants and quiche to puffs. If you plan a visit, indulge in their cupcakes, waffles, chimney cakes and ‘cutting desserts.’ When I went last week (Feb 2018), the place was uncomfortably hot, so I hope they fix their air-conditioning issues.
That’s all for now! I’ll keep updating the list as and when new places open (and shut). Until then, check out my #TGGFinds – Restaurant Guide to Vasai!
Let me know if you enjoyed this post! Bye!