Clanking of the potato masher against a huge hot tawa and the smell of delicious melting butter are synonymous to pav bhaji. The making of the bhaji is like a performance. The man behind the big tawa adds a bit of veggies, sprinkles masalas, splash of water, mashes and brings everything together with a generous portion of butter. And this sinful yet comforting bhaji is accompanied by soft pav which is obviously also laden with butter, freshly chopped onion and a lime wedge.

Originally created for the hard working mill workers in order to give them something lighter than rice or roti during their lunch breaks so that they didn’t feel sleepy; has not become a staple for most Mumbaikars. And just the way everything in Mumbai is given a twist like Chinese bhel, sev puri sandwich and gini dosa, the pav bhaji too has quite a few variations. Besides the regular one there’s jain, cheese, khada, mushroom, paneer and many more varieties available. Making a list of the best pav bhaji places in Mumbai is difficult considering everyone has their pick in their area so we are not going to try doing that, but we can surely give you’ll a list of our favourite places to get your dose of this delicious buttery dish.

Amar Juice Centre, Vile Parle
Amar juice centre is always flocked with hungry college students, Irla shoppers and fast food lovers and they do not disappoint anyone with their flavourful pav bhaji. Served in a plate with compartments filled with the not too spicy red bhaji, finely chopped onions and buttery pav, Amar surely hits the right spot every time. Though the regular pav bhaji is famous do give their Jain Pav Bhaji a try which has a slight tang due the lack of potatoes.
Where: Shop No.3, R.N.Cooper Hospital compound, Gulmohar road, Vile Parle (West)
Contact: 022-26247917

Sukh Sagar, Chowpatty
Sukh Sagar is a landmark in itself. Pass by Chowpatty and you’ll always find a huge crowd here. Full of masala and butter, Sukh Sagar’s pav bhaji does hit the right spot.
Where: Marina Mansion, Chowpatty
Contact: 022-23636856

Kalinga, Andheri
Kalinga is kind of “the” place for pav bhaji in Lokhandwala. Always crowded this restaurant serves a huge bowl of bhaji which will surely force you to call for extra pav. The never ending bowl of bhaji easily makes this snack a full meal.
Where: Nyayadeep Society, Near Laxmi  Industrial Estate, Andheri West
Contact: 022-66963776/ 022-66963773

Shabari, Santacruz
Jain, Regular, Cheese, Khada or the Tomato pav bhaji that Shabari serves are all truly delicious. It has the necessary spice hit with of course the quintessential butter on top!
Where: Balaji Darshan, Tilak Road, Santacruz(West)
Contact: 022-26008888

Sardar Pav Bhaji, Tardeo
Every Mumbaikar knows about Sardar Pav Bhaji’s love affair with Amul butter. The bhaji is topped with loads of butter and the pav is drenched in butter too! But if you don’t care about the calories that’s in just one plate and are a big Amul butter fan then this surely in the place you should head to.
Where: 166 A, Tardeo Road Junction, Tardeo
Contact: 022-23530208

 We asked Mumbai which is their favourite Pav Bhaji joint in the city? And here is what they had to say…

Share your recommendation in the comments below or tweet at us (@MumbaiMag) and tell us!