8 Mumbai restaurants that have remastered comfort food with a touch of finesse

The pitter-patter of the rain will make anybody want to indulge in their favourite foods which feels like a warm hug from the inside. Nothing will make you crave hot bowls of saucy noodles, pasta in oodles of cheese, crispy bhajiyas and sweet chai like the Mumbai monsoons do. However if you're sceptical of indulging in the comforting favourites from local haunts, opt for an elevated version of them instead. This season, HELLO! has curated a list of fine-dining restaurants and trustworthy cafes that serve comforting meals with finesse. Now that the rains have become a bit more merciful, it's time to step out into these 9 restaurants in Mumbai which will serve your favourite dishes; be it in cuisines from India to Italy to China.

1. HyLo

HyLo is an abbreviation for Highly local, promising to elevate local food to a higher setting. The menu features delicacies from all corners of India and finds the best tastes from the North, South, Northeast and coastal regions of the country and perfects it for a fine dining experience. For appetisers, start with street-style favourites such as Masala Pav and Palak Chat. For the mains, indulge in comforting favourites such as Ema Datshi, a Bhutanese favourite made with mashed chillies and cheese served alongside steamed buns. If you are looking for more protein in your meal, opt for Chicken Chettinad—boneless chicken marinated in chettiar spices hailing from the south of India—served with bun paratha and an omelette. End your meal on a sweet note with Kulfi or Salted Caramel Kheer. 

2. Tattva Bar & Café 

Tattva Bar and Cafe elevates simple street-food favourites such as Dabeli, Pani Puri, and Bhel in a package that is completely unrecognisable and fit for fine dining. Savour elevated street favourites such as Bruschetta à la Dabeli, Koliwada Chicken Bhel, and the tropical twist of Sol-Kadi Kiwi Pani Puri. Accompany your meal with Jamun Basil Breeze or Masala Toddy while the rain taps on the windows. Vibrant, soulful, and deliciously cosy—Tattva makes for a perfect monsoon escape. 

3. Joshi House 

The two-storey restaurant in Worli serves the finest of coastal Indian flavours along with other regional dishes. Dressed like an old haveli, the unassuming restaurant engulfs you in warmth the minute you step through its doorways. From a date night to a family gathering, Chef Richard D’Souza’s restaurant is an answer to all occasions. When it comes to food, the dishes embrace Indian regional tastes unapologetically: from Kokum Prawns and Laal Maas to Cassava Tuk Chaat and Truffle Palak Saag; all are soaked in Indian spices and its rich cultural influences. 

4. Pass The Salt

This cosy restaurant located in Fort will transport you to the romantic streets of Milan, Rome and Sicily, thanks to its chic European-style decor and a menu featuring the finest Italian offerings. With fresh bread made in-house, Pass The Salt aims to serve authentic street-style Italian food in South Mumbai. Authenticity is evident with the freshly baked warm Garlic Rolls, sandwiches such as Frankly Hot with bread that will melt in your mouth and a variety of Burrata served alongside sauces like Pesto to Arrabbiata and a herby Arugula-Mint Pesto. For the mains, indulge in Lumache al Tartufo, a warm white pesto pasta served with truffle oil or their signature thin-crust pizzas. Alternatively, indulge in all-American-style deep-dish Chicago pizza that's more of a pie than a pizza. The Froot Loops Tres Leches and Burnt Basque cheesecake provide the perfect sweet note to end your meals with. 

5. LOYA 

LOYA is a grand feast, which leads you on an immersive journey across the vivid North of India. It showcases the inherent uniqueness and theatrics of time-honoured cooking techniques of the North—the drama of dhungar or smoking; the aromatics of baghar, in which spices are tempered in hot oil; dum; the richness of slow-cooking; and the pounding of spices by hand. The restaurant divides its offerings into three courses—Pella Swaad, Saajha Swaad, and Mittha. Loya’s menu offers items like Loya Chaat, Timbri Jhinga, and Attari Murgh, featuring delicate flavours that are found at the foothills of the Himalayas to the flat terrain of Punjab. Start your evening with tantalisingly flavourful appetisers such as Ghost Ki Azeez Pasliya and Daal Chaat before jumping onto mains. Vegetarians should try delicacies such as Dhingri Kachru—mushrooms cooked with garlic and chillies topped with stuffed morels—or Sepu Wadi, which is Himachalli urad dal dumpling served with fresh tomato sauce. While the non-vegetarian can indulge in slow-cooked Faridot Mutton Curry to Loya Murg Pyaza. The grand finale for the meal has to include Doodh Jalebi and Badhana Pearls—rabri and saffron foam with pistachio and almonds. 

6. Ode 

Located in Worli, Ode’s space is a visual poem: warm textures, cloud-mesh lighting, and an open kitchen which invites guests to be part of the experience. But the soul of the restaurant is its food. Their new menu featuring 22 dishes is a dream for meat lovers. Think duck, prawns, fish and mutton, all coated in comforting spices which are perfect for the monsoon season. The expansive menu has something for everyone. Vegetarian or not, spice-lover or not, you are bound to be satisfied by the end of your meal. The Dark Chocolate Basque Cheesecake, Vegan Chocolate Fudge Cake, and Truffle Crème Brûlée are the perfect way to conclude a flavour-rich meal. 

(Also read: A glimpse into Trèsind Studio, the first Indian restaurant to earn 3 Michelin stars)

7. Nara Thai 

For their monsoon specials, Nara Thai brings a curry shop that encapsulates the taste of Bangkok’s aromatic curries. Crafted with turmeric, galangal, tamarind, and lemongrass, the dishes are layered and vibrant. From a fiery bowl of Southern Turmeric Curry to the comforting complexity of a Massaman Pulled Lamb Thai Roti, each plate offers a slow-simmered kind of satisfaction. For lighter moments, the Miang Kham platter and fragrant crispy rice with curried prawns offer texture and contrast. Drinks echo the same philosophy. Cocktails are stirred with green curry, tom yum broth, and kaffir lime to surprise and delight. The warm, inviting interiors will engulf you in a comforting vibe as you slowly relish the flavourful curries. 

8. Pomodoro

Walk into Pomodoro in Bandra to indulge in the joy of slow cooking. The now-viral spot serves fresh handmade pasta made right in front of your eyes as the 28-seater is dedicated entirely to pasta. Start with small plates of fresh salads, wholesome Mac 'n' Cheese Arancini and a Chicken Parmigiana sharing platter, before moving to the star of the evening. The Truffle Chitarra, a cacio e pepe dish with slivers of black truffle on top, and Gnocchi Pomodoro hit the mark. Wrap up your meal with a scoop of pistachio ice cream or a serving of tiramisu, well-soaked in espresso.

(Also read: From fine-dining to fast food, top celeb-dining spots)