Plan to dine out? We’ve scoured the length and breadth of Mumbai and beyond to curate a guide of the best festive and traditional menus
Image for representational purpose only.
South Mumbai
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Festive flavours
Foodies in and around Churchgate and Nariman Point can head to an eatery that has revamped its menu to give it a festive flavour this season. The limited-edition offerings include fennel, leek and roasted potato soup, mixed mushrooms tossed in date and fig chutney with roasted onions, toasted hazelnuts, mixed greens and garlic croutons, and yule log slice with brandy sauce (below). For drinks, choose from classics like mulled wine and mulled hot chocolate.
Till: January 2, 12 pm to 12 am
At: The Sassy Spoon, Express Towers, Nariman Point.
Call: 9920003500
A Social occasion
Slip into your dancing shoes for the Christmas party at this pub chain. Line your stomach with dishes including BBQ aloo and rataloo chaat, the Christmas tikka, Christmas couch potato platter, and Social slay pasta bake, before reaching out for specially curated cocktails such as clause-mo-politan, tiramisu santatini, jingle tingle (below) and winged elves.
Till: December 25, 9 am to 12 pm
At: Social, BK Boman Behram Marg, Apollo Bunder, Colaba
Call: 7506394239
Thai high
Set out on a culinary trip to Thailand with this restaurant’s special coastal menu that they have curated for December. Pick from options including crispy squid rings, stir-fried prawns with Thai green peppercorn and crab in pepper garlic, Thai mango curry with river prawns, and fried rice with prawns and Thai chillies.
Till: December 31, 12 am to 12 pm
At: Nara Thai, Amarchand Mansion, Madame Cama Road, Colaba
Call: 8355878888
Central Mumbai
A Latino feast
Ring in Christmas with some live music at a brunch being hosted at a Lower Parel hotspot. The menu has Latin American eats that include quinoa and corn chowder with lemon chilli dressing and rum and pineapple, and chipotle braised pork belly. The cocktails, too, are inspired from the same continent, with tequila-infused offerings such as sandia margarita, and el pastor margarita.
On: December 25, 12 pm to 3 pm
At: Cafe Panama, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Lower Parel
Call: 9988214444
Salty affair
A high-end restaurant in Worli is dividing its Christmas menu into three sections named Salt, Salt + Sugar, and one with small eats. They feature dishes like lobster mac, crispy chicken Benedict, Bastian bird, and pao shrimp scramble. Try a small ginger Christmas cookie and berry on a shot glass for dessert, washing it all down with cocktails like eggnog and mulled wine to truly get into the Christmas spirit.
On: December 25 and 26, 12 pm to 4 pm
At: Bastian, Wadia International Centre, Worli
Call: 7208656074
Party all the way
Get into party mode at a resto-bar that is ushering in Christmas Eve with food and music at an event called The Jingle Party. Try out traditional favourites like plum cake and cassata churros, humari spring rolls (inset) as well as quirky appetisers and innovative cocktails.
On: December 24, 8.30 pm onwards
At: Hitchki, High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel
Log on to: @hitchkiindia on Instagram
Eastern Suburbs
Buffet with a view
Craving for a meal with a view? Indulge in a Christmas-special dinner at this café that overlooks Powai Lake. On offer are lavish buffets themed on Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Greece and Lebanon among others, and festive hampers.
On: December 21 to 30, 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm
At: Lake View Cafe, Saki Vihar Road, Powai
Call: 8657415264
Cheery goodness
Let the festivities reach a high with a special, limited-edition cocktail menu at this Powai favourite. Choose from a curation of very Mary melon, mulled wine (below), holy-jolly fizz, frosty igloo, merry-berry margherita and more.
On: December 13 to 26
At: Madeira & Mime, Trans Ocean House, Hiranandani Business Park, Lake Boulevard, Powai
Call: 241415161
Western Suburbs
Log on to the Yuletide spirit
Buche de Noël is a traditional decorative yule log, and a Bandra dessert bar has created Bûche de Noël Santa (above) made with berry mousse, chocolate ganache, berry compôte, joconde biscuit. Also on the menu is Bûche de Noël Frost infused with mascarpone mousse, gingerbread biscuit, poached pear geleé, dulche de leche; cute Christmas tree-shaped gingerbread cookies; and Christmas bauble.
On: December 18 to 31, 12 pm to 9 pm
At: Moner Bistro & Dessert Bar, Darvesh Royale, Perry Cross Road, Bandra West
Call: 7770014123
Desi Christian spread
The Great Indian Christmas is a hat-tip to Christian communities across the country and their culinary delicacies. The medley of festive favourites offers Mangalorean chicken indad, roast duck mappas from the Syrian Christian community, East Indian-style bottle masala shrimp pan roll, Goan-inspired Santa and Pita walk into a bar, The Anglo-Indian baked fish and more. While you’re at it, sip on heady cocktails like East India’s khimad or the red hot Santa tini.
On: December 15 to January 6, 5 pm to 12 am
At: Monkey Bar, Summerville, junction of 14th & 33rd, Linking Road, Bandra West
Call: 7710083222
Go green
Christmas festivities generally offer little to nothing for vegans, but this cafe in Khar is hosting a special sit-down dinner with an array of plant-based delicacies. The farm-to-fork menu kicks off with chilled mulled apple juice, before the first course arrives with steamed cabbage wraps, along with black garlic and pine nut sauce. The next few courses offer sweet potato and chestnut balls with chilli cranberry relish, quinoa risotto (above), eggplant scallops, beetroot yoghurt served with beetroot crisps, and sticky toffee pudding cake and vegan vanilla ice cream.
On: December 23, 7.30 pm
At: Yogisattva Cafe, 7th floor, Pinnacle House, 15th Road, Khar Pali Road
Call: 9867455009
Under the mistle-toast
Embrace seasonal and local produce of the year with this traditional menu that offers prawn on embers marinated with sambal, medley of potatoes made with sweet potato, and baby potatoes flamed with brandy, some winter vegetables and kettle BBQ chips, extraordinary pork created with pork loin and topped with some balsamic jus, and some hot toddy.
On: December 6 to January 9
At: Toast & Tonic, Unit 1, ground floor, Jet Airways-Godrej Building, BKC
Call: 7208871559
Beyond Mumbai
Elvis is here
Christmas is synonymous with not just great food but also cheerful music. Enjoy the merry days with the Elf-Is-Presley Brunch at Nashik. Dig into roast turkey, honey-glazed ham, Christmas pudding, yule log and of course, plum cake. Couple these grubs with some good old mulled wine and other Christmas-themed cocktails while you let your hair down to some catchy Elvis Presley hits. And if you love your turkey, place your order for an exclusive one with sage and chestnut stuffing, giblet gravy and homemade cranberry sauce, roasted potatoes and buttered Brussels sprouts, 24 hours in advance.
On: December 25, 12.30 pm to 4 pm
At: The Smoked Vine, Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Nashik
Call: 2536644500
Festive gourmand
Here’s a chance to enhance the holiday cheer at Karjat with a delicious mix of Christmas specials that are sure to get you in the holiday mood. Try an eclectic menu with classics like French onion soup with port wine, and appetisers such as Greek quinoa and mock duck tart or a duet of mussels and shrimps. The main course is a mix of flavours that you can top off with a sensational apple strudel and other festive desserts. The place also offers the chance to shop for some vintage wines and contemporary aesthetics, and even a visit to a vintage car area.
On: December 18 to 25, 12 pm to 12 am
At: Saltt, Oleander Farms, Karjat
Call: 9967725518
Breezy delicacies
From cool Lonavala comes the chance to get a taste of some delicious Christmas delicacies. Try a lip-smacking menu with traditional dishes like the shepherd’s pie and the Anglo-Indian roast chicken being a staple at the Christmas event. The café also offers vegan alternatives and mock meat alternatives, and their spinach, mushroom and feta cheese pastry is a delight. Don’t forget to indulge in the Christmas boozy plum cake for a sweet ending.
On: December 17 to January 1, 12 pm to 3 pm and 7 pm to 12 am
At: Anglo-Indian Cafe and Bistro, Kune Village, Lonavala
Call: 8766055364
By Sukanya Datta, Shunashir Sen and Rahul Mahesh
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