5 Best Places to Enjoy Paella in Mumbai
Savour this Spanish rice dish and its versions across the city
31 Jul, 2019 by Mini Ribeiro
The best known rice dish from Spain, which originated in the fields of a region called Valencia on the Eastern coast of Spain, Paella, today, is popular across India, Mumbai included. It is a dish usually made with short-grain rice and is seasoned with saffron, amongst other spices. There are several versions of paella. It may contain chicken, pork, shellfish, fish, eel, squid or vegetables, but the popular ones are Paella Marinera with seafood and Paella Mixta with mixed meat. Today, several places in Mumbai serve Paella. My top 5 recommendations:
Uno Mas, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Western Suburbs
A place, known for its best Tapas, the Paella De Marisco here is aromatic and enticing. Cooked in a seafood broth, it comes with some more seafood alongside and is an unparalleled treat. Those who prefer chicken can opt for the Paella De Pollo, the saffron rice cooked in chicken, which is finger-licking good too.
El Mercado Bandra West, Western Suburbs
This bright and cosy eatery, known for its Spanish food, serves a delectable Chicken Paella - Valenciana. Well-made, it is bursting with flavours and is satiating. One can settle for a vegetarian version too. These come in large portions, apt for sharing.
Slink & Bardot Worli, South Mumbai
The Assamese Black Rice Paella here is unique, yet flavourful. With a medley of seafood including, clams, calamari, prawns along with Spanish chorizo and saffron, this is a delightful take on the Spanish classic and worth-a-try.
The menu here is an exercise in choices, but one can try the Spanish Paella, which comes in prawns, chicken or vegetarian version. The flavourful Bomba Rice, slow-cooked in a broth, is appetising to look at and makes for a deeply satisfying and delicious meal. Perfect for the monsoons too.
Mangii Ferra, Juhu, Western Suburbs
Known for its Italian and European delicacies, this bright and cheerful restaurant offers a lip-smacking Seafood Paella made with Brown Rice. Yes, chef’s little twist here, works and the melee of prawns, squids and mussels, enhance the flavours and the resultant dish is comforting.
Written By
Food critic, features writer and columnist, Mini Ribeiro is a qualified Journalist, from IIMC New Delhi. She specialises in the Food & Beverage and Hospitality space. As an established food & beverage writer, Mini currently contributes to several leading English publications across the country – Asian Age, Hindustan Times, Sunday Financial Express, Hotelier India, Go Getter and Vistara inflight magazines and Rediff.com. She also has her own You Tube channel called Mini’s Food Fundas. Fond of cooking, Mini enjoys experimenting in the kitchen with various cuisines, with Indian regional food, being her favourite. She has recently started, a platform for home talent, called 'Flavours from Home', an initiative which aims to make women who are passionate about cooking, entrepreneurs.
