Buon Appetito! Mumbai’s Favourite Italian Restaurants

By Melissa Nazareth

I fell in love with Italian cuisine after reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love; not just the food but also how one can use words to describe the flavours, textures, simplicity of ingredients, exotica of the finished dish, wine pairing. If you too are a fan of Italian cuisine then this inclusive list of the city’s most-loved exclusively Italian joints is just the one for you!

A slice of flavour, just for you! Pizza at Mia Cucina

An Italian bistro with flavour-packed meals; that’s Mia Cucina! A bite of anything on the menu coupled with the restaurant’s rustic ambiance – wooden flooring, brick and stucco walls and brass light fittings promise to transport you to Italy in a jiffy!
Where: Bandra & Powai
Contact: Bandra 022-67104000/ Powai 022-67094000

Serafina’s legendary Pizza Bianca

Want to treat your taste buds to authentic North Italian risottos, pastas, pizzas, salads, grilled sea food, dessert…some wine to wash these delicacies down, perhaps? Then Serafina is the place to be! The restaurant launched in Mumbai recently and seems to have risen the popularity charts over the months. Has a bar and lounge area too.
Where: Palladium, Lower Parel
Contact: 022-40237711/14

Little Italy by Don Juan, man who launched Don Giovanni, #SameGuy. This is the vegetarian foodies’ paradise. This all-veg joint offers authentic Italian flavours packed with the freshest vegetarian ingredients. It has always been the most referred to place in my circle of friends!
Where: Charni Road and Ghatkoper
Contact: Charni Rd. 022-23870052/53/ Ghatkoper 022-25260125, 25260126

Meat lovers favourite by Pizza by the Bay

Pizza by the Bay started off as a diner with live music. It later evolved into a pizzeria that offered guests great jazz music. The final word for pizzas in Mumbai, this restaurant serves the best hand rolled pizza baked to perfection with its signature blends of cheese and homemade tomato sauce. Great location too, always goes well with a good meal.
Where: Marine Lines
Contact: 022-22843646/22843949

Enjoy the quintessential Italian countryside cuisine at Mezzo Mezzo, JW Mariott. Enjoy fine dining with distinctive flavours and wine pairings. A smart casual dress code will work best at this restaurant. Prior reservations are must.
Where: JW Mariott, Juhu Tara Road
Contact: 022-66933344

Cafe Mangii’s exotic bread basket, appetising muffins and more!

The perfect neighbourhood eatery, Café Mangii offers delectable Italian food and exotic wines; the best part, it fits your pocket too! Great music and a homely ambiance, this one’s been the venue for many a birthday and wedding anniversary celebrations. Also that Cafe Mangii is has multiple branches, always a plus point in a city like Mumbai.
Where: Bandra, Powai, Juhu and Versova
Contact: 022-26498000 / 100 / 200

Spaghetti Kitchen offers the same Italian pastas, pizzas, soups, salads, appetizers and wines but with a difference! Ever heard of Mushroom Cappuccino Soup; now that’s what I’m talking about. Dine at this one for such out-of-the-box creations.
Where: Lower Parel, Nariman Point and Powai
Contact: 9004690988

Cafe Penne, the Italian restaurant without a pretence!

Café Penne is a fuss free diner which promises good food. This one’s for the kinds who love food without pretence. A basic meal for two would cost you just Rs 1, 500.
Where: Juhu
Contact: 022-26255713/ 26255706

Uno Metro Pizza by Pizza Metro Pizza

Pizza Metro Pizza offers the best Neapolitan food. They cooked the first one meter pizza in London in 1993. Choose four different types of toppings – freshest ingredients and spice-packed sauces – on your ‘uno metro’ pizza and wash it down with the best in wine!
Where: Bandra
Contact: 022-65993334/3

Vetro presents authentic Italian cuisine served in a contemporary fashion. It houses Enoteca, a wine library with over 800 bottles of the finest wines and a wine tasting table, for the ideal wine pairing experience. Guests can choose from a wide selection of Italian classics, such as hearty soups, home-made pastas, risotto, seafood and meats.
Where: Nariman Point, The Oberoi
Contact: 022-2389 0606

How can one say ‘no’ to these gorgeous Cannoli Tortinis from Piccoli Tortini!

Piccoli Tortini is a luxurious Italian pasticceria serving tortinis, cupcakes, pastries, desserts, paninis, Italian breads, salads, pastas and a very indulgent afternoon tea. Treats made of fresh and organic ingredients as opposed to artificial preservatives and food colouring make this a relatively healthy indulgence.

Where: Bandra

Contact: 69996000/9930757418

If you think we’ve missed out a must-dine-at exclusive Italian joint in the city, then write to us at story@mumbaimag.com. Buon Appetito!