5 restaurants in Mumbai that will take your tastebuds on a vacation

When the season of gloomy mornings and monsoon drizzles calls your name, wanderlust often follows close behind. After all, isn't the monsoon is that dreary time of year when anyone would want to pack their bags and jet off to the beaches of Cabo or mountains of Uttarakhand? But what if life and its rigid schedule simply doesn't you to do that just yet? Then you move to Plan B. If your body can't go on a vacation this season, at least your tastebuds can. Mumbai is called India's Maximum City, not only because it is home to financial powerhouses and Bollywood stars but also because it can pack quite a powerful punch to your palette as well, with flavours from across the world. If you can't make it to Tokyo, at least you can gobble down sushi this season. And if Capri isn't calling your name yet, then a bowl of gnocchi will do just fine. Take a look at these 5 restaurants in Mumbai that will transport you to various places of the world (without the jet lag!), through every morsel you bite into.

1. Supa San, BKC

Within the business hub of BKC lies Supa San, situated in the corner of its eating district. It is fashioned along the lines of a Japanese gastropub i.e. an Izakaya and its ambiance, set with neon lights and pop art, creatively establishes that. Supa San also features a one-of-its-kind comic book wall within the restaurant, which is stacked with manga collectibles and comics, while its inspiration is seen throughout its funky, pop art decor. The atmosphere brims with cheer on a weeknight; proving well how ideal a spot it is for post-work drinks or a dinner date with friends. From light bites like the Buta Katsu Sando, which combined tender pork with fluffy bread to wholesome grub like the Ika Kari Kari; best enjoyed piping hot as crispy squid meets curry leaf salt and chili paprika sauce would be, the vast menu taps into every nook and cranny of Japanese cuisine. Plus, it's all served with a funky Japanese pop culture-themed touch. Sushi here, is far from your everyday California roll, as you can pick fillings from fried tofu skin to blue fin tuna to freshwater Eel. Chutoro, which had a medium fatty cut of Japanese tuna with truffle kizami and Ebi Katsu Salmon, combining prawn and salmon; pack a flavourful punch full of textures. If you'd like to give your usual bowl of ramen a break, the Kani To Ebi will make sure you don't miss it whatsoever. The kamameshi dish—traditionally served in an iron kettle which comes with a crispy base—is a crab meat and prawn melange in a seafood bisque that makes for an umami-filled bite. Dessert consists of Japanese specialties like Hokkaido Milk Bread as well as continental picks like Chocolate Basque Cake, so all kinds of cravings can be fulfilled.

2. SOCIAL, Across the city

When the SOCIAL franchise first launched in 2014, it made dining out in India a less stuffy, much cooler affair. From table napkins fashioned like toilet rolls to devanagari-embossed glassware, it soon became the party hot spot in metro cities. A decade later, not much has changed, as the restaurant continues to grow in popularity while also spotlighting its food offerings. Whether it be for their all-day breakfast, stacked burgers and quick kebabs to bite into, the restaurant has served up casual dining favourites from every nook and corner of India. The Tandoori Chicken Makhni Bao, Chinese Bhel and Irani Omlette, which have existed on their menu from their inception, is proof. Their new Local Heroes menu shines more light on Indian food, done with their signature funk. Local fare like Green Prawns, Vada Pav and Fried Chicken retain their spicy flavours and cracking textures, but are made cooler with touches of curry leaves and spices. Combine that with their eternal party vibe and eclectic range of cocktail (some even served in a plastic bag!) and you've got a winner for your next weekend out. SOCIAL's newly-launched The Big Drop is an all-day menu which offers heartier inclusions and more categories like breakfast sandwiches, tiffins, dunkables and ramen.

3. Fireback, Lower Parel

The famed Thai restaurant, which launched in Goa last year, has made its way to Mumbai on a fiery note. Tucked inside the plush Nilaya Anthology in the middle of the city's business hub, the restaurant is named after the Siamese Fireback; Thailand’s national bird restaurant, while also paying tribute to the high flames and fire-grilled flavours which define Thai kitchens. Multi-tonal terrazzo floors, pop-coloured chairs and cosy booths sit snugly under the diffused glow of a curved ceiling light which flows through the restaurant and serves as its spotlight architectural feature. The bar menu stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the spritely cuisine, as the Thai Spiced Diablo includes a spice mix and wasabi foam that highlights the fiery flavours of the country and Mango Rice honours Thailand’s iconic dessert with rice cordial and mango. Tamarind is a tangy hit with a touch of mandarin and wattle seed while Tom Kha Colada is an inventive take on the famous drink, done Thai style. Many more cocktails, namely Lemongrass, Galangal and Pandan, dot the beverage menu to revere the country's most famed ingredients. A vast collection of Teas, Coffee, Milkshake and Dessert-Coffees also find space on the beverage menu for teetotalers. The kitchen, helmed by Chef David Thompson, serves refined Thai cuisine which taps into fresh ingredients and even fresher flavour; served smoking hot from the wok, grill or pan. Miang Kham, a refreshing of pomelo, toasted coconut and peanut could turn even steadfast anti-salad foodies into fans. The Fried Pork Belly sung when combined with a tart tamarind dip and Chicken Gorlae was succulent when served from the grill. An unmissable dish however, is the Banana Leaf-Wrapped Sea Bass, tenderly cooked in dried red curry and coconut cream, with the aroma of kaffir lime leaves wafting even through the wrapper. 

4. CinCin, BKC

Italian fare may feature prominently across Mumbai's food scene but no restaurant perfects the cuisine like CinCin. Named after the traditional Italian greeting one exclaims when clinking glasses together, the restaurant truly brings cheer to the palate of the diner. A bustling spot even on a weekday night, CinCin is the perfect setting for romantic date nights or a gathering of friends who haven't caught up in a while. Their lengthy menu offers plenty of choices for both, vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners. The Calamari Fritti, which is fried squid rings, and Tomino; essentially melted cheese slathered on bread with mushroom, are delectable and fail-safe bets. The Maiali De Bombette, a cheese-stuffed pork belly section with a crisp coating, packs in a wholesome, cheesy, meaty bite. Sky-high expectations for a pizza with a thin, crisp crust were met with Prosciutto Cotto, which combined ham with mushrooms, olives and cheese that is served piping hot right out of the pizza oven. When dinner is done, consider this your dessert pro tip: Skip the usual Italian delicacies and go straight for the Nocciola. This slice of hazelnut cake comes densely packed with hazelnuts, with a garnishing of vanilla ice-cream and a coat of thick hazelnut cream; if it wasn't enough for you. The warm, nutty dish is a switch up from the usual Italian desserts, which will stay with you long after you leave the restaurant. CinCin's Lemon Festa, a citrus-soaked celebration of flavour, is running until the end of August 2025 with Mercatino di CinCin, an open-air Italian farmer's market on August 24, 2025.

(Also Read: Rudyard Kipling’s journey through India, celebrated through culinary flair)

5. Nara Thai, BKC and Worli

Before Nara Thai arrived in Mumbai, the flavourful cuisine had always found itself lumped together with other Southeast Asian offerings in Pan-Asian restaurants. This restaurant can be credited as one of the premier spots to change that for good. Now with a stunning new outlet in Worli, which is tailored for South Mumbai residents, it continues to hit the spot with its authentic fare and premium setting. Turn to the Thai Grilled Pork Spare Ribs, a spectacle with a lemon grass, spice-laden sticky sauce coating the pork that falls off the bone. The Stir-Fried Crab Meat combines seafood with a strong kick of spice and the Hung Lay Fish Curry is the perfect blend of sweet and tangy, both best downed with Sticky Jasmine Rice. End your meal with nothing else than the Mango Sticky Rice, whose ripe fruit, gooey coconut-y rice and sweet sauce will take you straight to Thailand. Nara Thai's The Curry Shop monsoon-special menu, is running until the end of August 2025.

(Also Read: From Nikolaj Coster-Waldau to Ed Sheeran, 7 restaurants in India where Hollywood celebrities dined at)