In Mumbai, Bandra West is frequently referred to as the “Queen of the Suburbs”. Numerous celebrities, models, musicians, hipsters, and ex-pats have flocked to this diverse area because of the allure of global influences and liberal attitudes. 

The atmosphere in Bandra is very ambiguous. It’s similar to running into an old friend. You can just be yourself without worrying about what others would think. You can just be, which is probably why we keep coming back here. But for many of us, Bandra is about Shahrukh’s “Mannat,” or Bandstand, the well-known seaside location. 

However, there is more to Bandra than meets the eye. Here are the 11 things we recommend you do the next time you visit.

• Discover Bandra’s History

The omnipresent Portuguese history is one of Bandra West’s distinguishing features. When Bandra was just a little fishing village, the Portuguese settled it in 1534. Even after the British took control of the Bombay Islands in 1661, Bandra remained a Portuguese possession. 

The Portuguese built numerous churches and converted hundreds of natives to Catholicism while they were in control of the region.

 Despite the growing urbanization, several historic villages and grand Portuguese ancestral residences still exist. These include the artistic, 400-year-old Ranwar village and the Chimbai fishing village. Take a neighborhood walking tour with a knowledgeable guide, like this one provided by Raconteur Walks.

Check out the Street Art

Recently, the alleyways around Ranwar village have gained notoriety for the eccentric street art produced by artists from all over the world. The majority of it is located along Waroda Road, Chapel Road, Saint Veronica Road, and so on, all the way up to Mount Carmel Church in Bandra West. 

The Bollywood Art Project created the most noticeable paintings on Chapel Road. On the intersection of Bandstand and Pereira Road, there are additional sizable murals of Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna. Street art walking tours with a guide are offered by Wandertrails for two hours.

Take a look at Bandra Fort and Bandstand.

The remnants of a Portuguese watchtower fort constructed in the 17th century are tucked away on the point of Bandra West. Although it was originally placed strategically to overlook Mahim Bay, it now offers a superb vantage point from which to see the iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge. 

The residence of the “King of Bollywood” Shah Rukh Khan is not far away, hidden behind a large set of gates in front of the opulent Taj Lands End hotel. It is a vast, opulent palace with six floors that goes by the name Mannat (which means wish or prayer).

Stroll Along the Carter Road and Bandstand Promenades

You can join people in Bandra West, which borders the Arabian Sea, for an evening stroll along the long stretches of seashore past celebrity homes. 

There are two promenades in the area, one of which extends from Bandstand and the other of which runs farther north along Carter Road. Amphitheaters, parks, and playgrounds have all been renovated as a result of recent urban development projects.

On Bandra’s Linking Road, shoe vendors sell shoes.

Bandra West undoubtedly won’t let down bargain hunters. There are numerous shops lining Linking Road that offer inexpensive clothing, accessories, shoes, and luggage. To get a good deal, make sure to barter aggressively.

 Additionally, there are some shops in the area that are worth visiting. Visit Anokhi for stunning block-printed textiles, Kulture Shop for cool goods made by Indian graphic designers, OMO for trendy Indian clothing, and The Shop for boho-chic apparel and home goods.

Check out the dining scene

A cuisine lover’s paradise is Bandra West! The area has grown over the past ten years to become one of Mumbai’s most well-known dining areas. However, don’t expect to find a lot of authentic Indian food. Due to Bandra’s trendy reputation, the majority of its eateries focus on modern food.

Ferry Wharf is one recent exception, serving seafood from Mangalore in the manner you would find it in southern India.

 Visit The Bagel Shop to hang out with creative people, eat organic food at Birdsong, sample Indian food with a contemporary touch at Pali Bhavan, savor seafood with an Asian flavor at Bastian, and have dinner in a stylish European restaurant at Pali Village Cafe. Don’t miss the Taj Mahal Tea House’s exquisite tea tastings.

Visit Bonobo, Bandra, for the Friday night Krunk event.

Mumbai’s Bandra West neighborhood has the most bars and clubs per square meter, but you’ll need to start early because there is a nighttime curfew of 1:30 a.m. The neighborhood’s no-frills bar is named Janata (Janata is Hindi for “common man”). Toto’s Garage has a relaxed pub atmosphere. Young people love the iconic Hawaiian Shack, which is why the proprietors decided to keep it open despite wishing to retire. 

Throughout the week, Hip Bonobo frequently hosts live performances, and on the weekends, electronica events with DJs. There is nothing else played on Door Number 1 if you prefer retro music. The Daily is the only establishment in Bandra that, depending on the crowd, stays open past 1:30 a.m. on weekends. Live music performances are held at Bandra Base in a cozy environment. 

Drop into Drop for a sophisticated club atmosphere. With a different guest DJ every week, The Den hosts Mixtape!, one of the most popular “micro” parties in the city, once a month. The chic Olive Bar and Kitchen is the location to spot famous people.

Get a hand massage with reflexology.

Many of the reflexology massage therapists at Metta Reflexology Spa in Bandra West’s Pali Village are fully blind and give amazing, affordable reflexology massages. They are all qualified because they completed six-month reflexology training courses. 

Arrive Early For Chimbai Village’s Best Kanda Bhaji Breakfast

This road, which lies off Jogger’s Park, is most likely what makes Bandra tick. Even in the early morning hours, there are crowded rows of residences and a general buzz of neighborhood chatter. 

Given the architecture’s Portuguese influence, you might easily think you’ve walked into Goa. But the breakfast scenes in Chimbai are its biggest draw. 

Vada Pavs and fresh Mirchi Bhajis are extremely famous. The tastiest Kanda Bhajis you may have ever had are served here on a tiny black cart, but the locals wait for it.

Visit One Of The Many Tucked-Away Cafes For A Cup Of Coffee

Simply for its taste,  visit Birdsong Cafe for its hot chocolate. They also produce a great cappuccino, which is served with a cube of chocolate that is suitable for Keto diets and goes well with the beverage.

 Poetry by Love & Cheesecake, which serves incredibly flavored lattes (try the hazelnut one), is another of our faves nearby. Explore the byways a little because you might just come to find a recently opened cafe.

At Carter Road, You Might Just Happen Upon A Live Jam Session If You’re Lucky

On Carter Road, across from Cafe Coffee Day, there are frequently a number of amateur musicians that gather there in the evening to jam. 

It’s fun to just sit on the stairs and hum along to their songs, which range from Guns & Roses to Kailash Kher’s “Saiyaan.” There are no set events, so your best bet is to just happen to run into one of these performances and score a spot.