Once in a while, after a day that feels like one of the tenser episodes of The Bear, all a chef really wants is to leave the cooking up to somebody else. As veterans of one of the most unpredictable workplaces, what they’re usually after is consistency. Boxfuls of déjà vu that arrive hot and taste exactly the way they did the last dozen times they ate it.
We asked four Mumbai chefs what they order in on their days off. Most of their go-tos have been around for years, steadily churning out food that’s dependable, delicious, and low-effort. Their picks include Tibetan momos, textbook biryanis, and the most nostalgic butter chicken in Bandra. When you’ve been scrolling through a delivery app for 45 minutes and still don’t know what to get, it might be worth checking out what the pros have to say. Here’s where to find chef-approved comfort food takeout in Mumbai.
Gresham Fernandes, Bandra Born
- South Tiffin House
South Tiffin House (Andheri) is great for the ragi masala dosa. The place itself is zero drama. No branding gimmicks. It’s the kind of parcel that shows up hot and straight to the point, like it knows it’s got nothing to prove. - Gajalee
Everyone goes to Gajalee (Vile Parle) for the seafood, and sure, the bombil fry is textbook perfect. But I’m weirdly loyal to their chicken curry. Maybe it’s the coconut, maybe it’s the memory but it’s stayed consistent for over a decade, which says something. - Lucky Restaurant
At Lucky (Bandra), my go-to takeout is the biryani, obviously. It’s not fancy, but it’s the one I’ve known since I was a kid. There’s comfort in that, in the aroma, the masala, the clatter of metal trays. You grow up with certain flavours and they just don’t leave. - Gulati’s Sweets and Snacks
There’s kesar rasmalai and kaju kathli, and then there’s Gulati’s (Andheri) doing these sweets how they should be done; with restraint and richness at the same time.
Heena Punwani, Maska Bakery
Khao Man GaiAkshada Gupta
- Bombay Salad Company
One of my favourite restaurants for takeout is Bombay Salad Company (Bandra). I think it has stayed consistent, over many, many years. The salads are very wholesome, filling, and healthy, and above all, they are delicious. My favourites there are the feel good salad and the nutcracker, but I also like to order the salmon when I’m in the mood for it. - Seefah
My other favourite place to get takeaway from is Seefah (Bandra). Her rice bowls are like comfort food for me. They are rich and hearty but balanced at the same time. My absolute favourite there is the Okinawa Guddon, with the sliced tenderloin. Every time I’m craving a really familiar dish, that’s what I order. The other one is also the Khao Man Gai. The sauce that comes with it is addictive. I think I would order the sauce just by itself if it was on the menu. - Sneha Restaurant
The last place I’d recommend is Sneha (Mahim) which is a really local Kerala spot in Mahim. I live there so it’s very close by and has become my de facto go-to. It’s one of those old world spots, nothing fancy, but they do some great Kerala food. The dish that I get there, and what they’re most popular for is their Malabar Porotta and Buff Chilly Fry. Though it’s not something you can order all the time because it’s quite rich and heavy.
Niyati Rao, Bombay Daak, Ekaa, and KMC Bar & Bistro
- Sernyaa Tibetan Kitchen
I love ordering from a place called Sernyaa (Oshiwara). It’s a Tibetan kitchen and pretty old, almost 20 years. They have the best, and I mean the best momos, thukpa, and tingmo. And uncle’s momo sauce is a secret that only regular patrons know about, so if you visit, be sure to request it. - Ling’s Pavilion
Of course there’s Mumbai’s staple, Ling’s Pavilion (Colaba). My parents would go on dates. Later, when my brother and I were young, we were and still are addicted to the Cha Shu Pork Baos and a dish called the Pearl Balls which are minced meat balls steamed and covered with rice. Their mustard sauce and plum sauce are what dreams are made of. I think I’ve pretty much tried everything on the menu. - Naga Belly
Whenever I visit my original home in Madh Island, I always get my food packed from Naga Belly (Andheri). Everything is delicious on their menu, especially the pork with bamboo shoots with sticky rice and the axone chutney.
Lakhan Jethani, Mizu Izakaya
- O Pedro
My top pick has to be the Smashed Marrow Meat Burger at O Pedro (BKC). It’s outstanding. The bread is incredible, and the flavour is spot-on and perfectly done. The buns are toasted and buttered just right. The patty is flavourful. They don’t go overboard with too many elements, it’s just perfectly balanced and that sauce binds everything together so well. Honestly, I’d go so far to say it’s the best burger in India. - Seefah
Second is the Khao Man Gai by Seefah. I think she’s doing an amazing job. The food is clean, flavourful, light, and beautifully put together. I’m a fan of all forms of chicken, whether it’s fried, steamed, grilled. So, anyone who does chicken right has my respect. She’s done an incredible job with the Khao Man Gai. I also enjoy cooking food like that myself, and I’m very fond of flavours from east Asia. - Jai Jawan
Many of our Sundays, when my dad had the day off, were just spent sitting around the TV, ordering food from Jai Jawan (Bandra), and arguing over who wanted to eat what. I have such fond memories with my family, all tied to eating from this restaurant. I remember around Ganesh Chathurthi, we would go nine days without any non-vegetarian food. And the moment Visarjan was done, it was like a family ritual, we’d say, “Okay, that’s it, let’s go to Jai Jawan.” The Punjabi Fish Fry, Butter Chicken and the Punjabi Prawn Fry were our absolute favourites.
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