Mumbai offers freedom, anonymity and opportunities that aren’t as easy to come by elsewhere in India. Explore the City of Dreams, where Bollywood – home to the largest film industry in the world – is woven into the fabric of daily life in the buzzing metropolis.
Visit the upscale coastal suburb of Bandra for cool breweries, popular restaurants, chic cafes and edgy boutiques. A 20-minute drive from there will take you to the sea-facing neighbourhood of Juhu, which boasts India’s first Soho House.
Shop at Lovebirds, where eclectic fashion and accessories can be found at its flagship in a 19th-century church in Colaba. At Obataimu, clothing is created in a slow and intentional way, with everything made to order. Bombay Shirt Company makes tailored shirts from a variety of luxury cottons, which can be customised from collar style and button choice through to monogram details.
Treat your skin to Neemli Naturals’ products, which are made using 100% natural, cruelty free and vegan ingredients. Everything is made in small artisanal batches and designed to benefit the body through plant-based ingredients such as sea buckthorn, witch hazel and apple cider vinegar.
Indulge in Mumbai’s vast culinary offering by visiting The Bombay Canteen, which serves Indian comfort food and caters to the city’s experimental palette. Satisfy a sugar craving at Bombay Sweet Shop, where traditional Indian treats are reinvented in new creations such as hot shahi buns or corn kulfi with caramel popcorn.
As the bustling city awakes from its pandemic-imposed slumber, festivals, restaurant launches and exhibitions are beginning to re-emerge. Head to the Khotachiwadi area for 47-A design gallery, where textile weaves, photo prints and furniture attract collectors from all over the world.
AntiSOCIAL provides a grungy performance venue for indie artists across India. Apart from its genre-bending music programming, it hosts varied cultural events and pop-up shops that bring together creatives from the worlds of comedy, art and design.
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