If it is one dish Mumbai has really embraced with love and affection, it is curry. This seems to be a staple in most households especially for a lazy Sunday lunch and is a very popular comfort dish. The curry can be made with chicken, meat or fish but the universal favourite is a good old Prawn Curry.
Prawn Curry is made in several different ways but the usual ones are a Gassi (Mangalorean) or a Goan Prawn Curry though now, even Thai Curry with prawns is becoming increasingly popular. The best curries are found at home but if you have no access to a homemade Prawn Curry, these five restaurants are the next best thing.
Jai Hind Lunch Home - With multiple outlets all over the city, Jai Hind prides itself on serving some great coastal dishes with plenty of seafood. The Bombil (Bombay Duck) Fry and Crabs are hugely popular as are their prawns in all sorts of preparations, but their Prawn Gassi is just extra special. Best eaten with thin sheets of Neer Dosa, this is one dish that has not changed over the years and is frequently requested by diners.
Bombay Vintage - While this restaurant really likes to put their own twist on every dish (Italian Pav Bhaji and Chicken Sukka Pizza), there are some dishes which are made without any tweaks or unnecessary additions. They have two versions of a Prawn Curry, one Mangalorean and one Malwani. Both are delicious and come served in a brass tiffin box with steamed white rice and crisp papad.
145 Kalaghoda - This trendy pub seems like the last place you would go to for a curry, but their menu features all types of popular dishes, and while they have Sali Boti and Biryani, it is actually their Goan Style Prawn Curry that is their best-kept secret. It is a wholesome meal to tuck into with a pint of chilled beer and is extremely satisfying.
Konkan Café - To indulge in some of the best dishes from the Konkan region, you have to visit Konkan Café at the Vivanta By Taj President. Everyone has their favourites here but if you are looking to sink into a hearty plate of curry, then their Mangalorean style Prawn Gassi is the best. Eaten best with a steaming bowl of rice, you could mop this up with a thin Neer Dosa or a thick flakey Malabar Parota as well.
Ashmick's Snack Shack - This is the only spot in Bandra that dishes out Parsi food, so the curry here is not a typical Goan or Malwani one, but a curry that features in almost every Parsi household. Sadly, it is not available every day, only on Tuesday and Friday. Do not be surprised if there is none left by evening as it is a popular item on their menu.
Written By
Better known as the Tiny Taster, Roxanne is an internationally respected blogger and expert on the Mumbai food scene. She has hosted many events, including the Upper Crust Food & Wine Show and travels the world, sharing her knowledge and gaining more experience.
