Spending time at Bandra Fair is always fun because it is not only a visual treat but also a culinary delight that most often than not turns out to be a food walk as you make your way up or down Mount Mary Church steps. If you are going the first time, discover the popularity of sweets like kadio bodios, pheni, Kerala halwa, Goan sweets, apart from the regular favourites like kala channa or aam papad. If you want to explore savoury specials, do not miss out on the Choris pao, or chicken hot dogs and burgers available at quite a few stalls. This year, as it takes place from September 8 to September 15, here is what you can eat there
Updated On: 2024-09-13 10:53 AM IST
Compiled by : Nascimento Pinto
Kadio Bodios
Apart from the popular kala channa, colourful kadio bodios are one of the most popular food items at the Bandra Fair that have returned every year. With every passing year, the number of stalls selling it are increasing, and that's why they are available in abundance.
Price: Rs 120 onwards for 250 gm
Choris Pao
Even at a time when there are lesser stalls this year and over the years lesser East Indian food, this year has more in pockets at the fair. While there is one at September Garden in Mount Carmel Church, the other is on Mount Mary Church steps with Thelma Poojary's stall no 115. Apart from Choris Pao, she also has a wide range of dishes including sorpotel pao, beef roast and pork roast too.
Price: Rs 100 per serving
Kerala Halwa
Another common feature at the Bandra Fair, the Kerala halwa that is available in a variety of colours are extremely delicious and definitely a must-try when you visit the fair. Do not forget to pack some for home for your family and friends. While they are available at many stalls on Mount Mary Church steps, we found Stall No. 8 to be quite convenient. It is run by Shailesh Chandra, a second-generation Bandra Fair stall owner from Kozhikode, whose father Chandra, has been putting up the stall for the last 40 years. While at the stall, do not forget to try out the Ice Apple Halwa (Tadgola Halwa), the light brown coloured sweet is grainy, mildly sweet yet deliciously refreshing.
Price: Rs 120 onwards for 250 gm, Rs 160 for Ice Apple Halwa
Goan sweets
There are more stalls this year selling traditional Goan sweets like pinag, bol and bolinas apart from dos, dodol, bhath, guava cheese, bebinca and rose cookies too. Clearly indicated with their boards, it is not difficult to find them but you can always look out for Jessima's Goan Sweets or Carvalho's Goan Sweets that also dish out freshly made boondi laddoos.
Price: Pinag (Rs 100 for 8 pieces), Bol (Rs 100 for 1 piece) and Bolina (Rs 150 for 10 pieces)
Kala Channa, Pheni and Aam Papad
It is impossible to ignore the kala channa (black channa) at the Bandra Fair as it is sold in abundance but beyond that look for the mouthwatering white pheni sweet or even the Aam Papad that is also present in abundance this time around for reasonable prices.
