VEGETARIAN

Amar Juice Centre

The menu at this fast-food spot with pavement seating spans cuisine from the subcontinent and beyond, but the pav bhaji, a Mumbai staple, is undoubtedly the best choice. Beyond that, there’s Indianstyle pizza, dosas and grilled sandwiches, and the cold coffee is also popular. There’s a smaller branch at Chowpatty, but the original outlet in Vile Parle is a neighbourhood hangout with a fun feel, making for a better dining experience. 3 Gulmohar Road, JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle West

Lashkara by Punjab Sweet House

Punjabi food is often synonymous with butter chicken, but Lashkara, in Bandra’s Pali Hill, will challenge preconceptions about north Indian cuisine with its vegetarian menu.

The mushroom and paneer tikka, dal makhani and paneer tikka masala are all not to be missed. And you can mop up any sauce with airy naans or flaky paratha, before ending with sweets such as jalebi and gulab jamun. The setting is simple and casual, with tables packed close together and sofa seating, so it’s the food that does the talking here. punjabsweethouse.net

Shree Thaker Bhojanalay

Showcasing the versatility of vegetarian food, this restaurant offers a seminal thali experience. The dishes change daily, but a thali is a nutritionally balanced meal that includes different textures and tastes. Expect dishes such as sweet kadhi (pakoras in a yoghurt and gram flour gravy) and spongy steamed dhokla (cubes of fermented batter). Eat with your hands straight from the steel serving bowls known as katori, and make the most of the unlimited refills. 31 Dadiseth Agiary Lane, off Kalbadevi Road