An icon of Mumbai’s skyline, this 1903 Edwardian palace has a revamped lobby incorporating vaulted ceilings and etched glasswork. The Palace Wing’s rooms are filled with period furniture and antiques.
Tucked away in Colaba, the 20-room Abode hotel pays homage to retro-Bombay kitsch. There are old-fashioned light switches and locks, handmade wicker chairs, and colorful Bharat tiles.
It’s hard to match the Oberoi for impeccable service; press the call button in your room and a butler will be at your door in minutes. Another highlight: postcard-worthy views over Marine Drive.
Among 11 acres of landscaped gardens and waterfalls, the Leela is a tranquil oasis in central Mumbai, with a large business center and a prime location near the airport.
Oberoi’s business-focused brand brings its tech savvy to Mumbai’s burgeoning financial center. Don’t miss the Mediterranean fusion restaurant 022, with its 1,500-bottle wine library.
In the 35-floor tower on scenic Marine Drive, the 555 spacious rooms (oak floors; original art) and 22-foot-long pool share vistas of the city or the Arabian Sea.
Bollywood royalty live in Bandra, and this slick waterfront hotel is the suburb’s most glamorous address. Don’t be surprised if you run into the starlet du jour at the 4,930-square-foot Jiva Spa.
At the gleaming Palladium, the lobby’s grand staircase is flanked by gilded mirrors, the 344 rooms and suites have Rajasthani artwork, and international DJ’s rotate through the 37th-floor club, Exo.
The Japanese-influenced design studio showcases founder Noorie Sadarangani’s made-to-measure line of minimalist peplum blouses, impossibly soft unisex tees, and layered dresses inspired by origami.
At one of Mumbai’s hottest shopping destinations, seven stories of mini-boutiques include Sussanne Roshan’s décor brand Charcoal Project and jeweler Maheep Kapoor’s statement baubles.
At Filter, you’ll find an eclectic mix of souvenirs—framed vintage concert posters, handmade notebooks, and tomes on specialized topics such as typography and city trains.
A shrine to traditional Indian housewares and accessories (such as massive marble lions), Big Door is the ideal resource for aspiring decorators seeking to outfit their home like a Rajasthani palace.
Stylish Mumbaikars flock here for shimmering saris, classic lehengas, and churidars by India’s top labels. Look for pieces by New Delhi–based designer Rohit Bal and British-born Manish Malhotra.
This Kala Ghoda gallery has remained a fixture since 1952. Its three airy rooms display works by Indian artists such as Jatin Das and Manish Sutaar, and the Samovar Café is a local favorite for lunch.
For the best of emerging contemporary artists (Sharanu Alloli; Pradeep Nerurkar), head to this chic, white-walled space in Kala Ghoda.
At the revamped Sundance, comfort dishes such as the “Sundance Sasquatch” are served in a dining room with wooden tables and retro curios, including typewriters and Archie comics.
Chef Sinclair Pinto is an alum of Chicago’s Alinea; here, he serves a sophisticated Italian-inspired menu that includes wood-fired pizzas and saffron risotto with calamari and clams.
Renowned chef Jiggs Kalra’s Masala Library is an ode to Indian-influenced molecular gastronomy: a “chai” infused with dehydrated mushrooms; ghewar cheesecake with pistachio dust and almond chikki.
At this lively European-style brasserie in Lower Parel, you might find Wile E. Coyote cartoons projected on the walls or a live jazz band. Try the mini-lamb burger or house-made pappardelle.
Here, the latticed windows, vintage chandeliers, and colonial-era photographs evoke 1950’s Mumbai. Start with a chutney martini, followed by Indian staples such as galaouti kebab or paneer tikka.
San Francisco chef Alex Sanchez's elegant bistro serves fresh, simple home cooking with a distinctly West Coast sensibility: warm chèvre salad; Swiss-chard ravioli; truffle fries with tomato jam.
Terminal 2 is filled with some 5,000 ancient artifacts, plus contemporary works by Indian artists (including mixed-media talent Vivan Sundaram) that together comprise a nearly two-mile-long art walk.
A hidden gem in Byculla that’s been open for over thirty years, the restaurant serves simple Mughlai dishes; order the mutton keema with parathas.
The fish market at Sassoon Docks, in Colaba, is worth a visit to see where locals buy their seafood.
When you need a break from city life, go for a run in the Hanging Gardens—it’s a beautiful park filled with flowers.
If you’re looking for trinkets and gifts, Colaba Causeway is your best bet—the market sells everything from Kolhapuri sandals to incense and jewelry.
One of Mumbai’s top music venues and hosts frequent live concerts. The interiors are cool, with circular dining pods and high-quality acoustics.
For innovative drinks and songs you can dance to, try the Ghetto, near Mahalaxmi Temple.
The prize for best sunset views in the city goes to this sexy rooftop lounge at the InterContinental Marine Drive in South Mumbai, which overlooks the Back Bay.
