Quick Summary
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 is a delicious opportunity to explore Mumbai’s celebrated modak makers. From traditional ukadiche modak and fragrant mawa modak to chocolate and fried varieties, these seven sweet shops offer distinctive festive treats. Follow this citywide trail to discover classic recipes, contemporary flavours and modaks worth ordering ahead.
Deep Dive
Mumbai’s modak culture extends well beyond the traditional steamed preparation. Established sweet shops and contemporary mithai brands reinterpret the festive favourite with ingredients such as coconut, jaggery, mawa, nuts, saffron and chocolate. This guide brings together seven notable stops across the city, highlighting what to order at each. Whether the preference is for delicate steamed shells, rich milk-based fillings or indulgent modern creations, there is plenty to explore during the festive season.
Why Is Modak Important During Ganesh Chaturthi?
The culinary significance of modak during Ganesh Chaturthi cannot be overstated, as it is often considered the favourite sweet of Lord Ganesh. Its shape, form, and taste have made the modak a staple offering not only in Maharashtra but also in other parts of the country. Ukadiche modak is the steamed, rice-flour-based modak that is famous during this festival. People seem to have a special place for modak dishes in their hearts when they celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi 2026.
Modakam, Prabhadevi
Situated near the Siddhivinayak temple, Modakam is one of Mumbai’s famous hotspots for traditional modaks. The highlight here is the ukadiche modak, with its soft outer layer made from rice flour and a coconut-jaggery stuffing. Apart from this, the shop has also earned fame for offering a wide variety of modaks, enabling people to taste modern-day twists on the traditional delicacy. The latest coverage mentions Modakam, which has been around for years and boasts more than 40 varieties of modak, but availability during the festive season may vary.
Address: 8/1, Kamana CHS, SK Bole Marg, Near Sidhivinayak Temple, Prabhadevi, Mumbai
Timing: 7:30 AM – 11 PM
Price for two: ₹500
Aaswad Upahar & Mithai Gruh, Dadar
For anyone who is a fan of the traditional version of modaks, Aaswad Upahar & Mithai Gruh is an ideal place to visit, as the ukadiche modak comes with a delicate covering, coconut filling and just the right amount of sweetness; ghee is also offered on the side to complement it. The shop is also a favourite place to buy mawa modaks during festivals, so that five starters can choose the traditional, lighter version of modaks rather than the modern versions, which have many different fillings.
Address: 4, Sanskruti Building, Gadkari Chauk, Lady Jamshedji Road, opposite Shiv Sena Bhavan, Dadar West, Dadar Shivaji Park, Mumbai
Timing: 10 AM – 10:30 PM
Price for two: ₹250
Panshikar, Dadar
A traditional name synonymous with Maharashtrian sweets in Mumbai for over a hundred years, Panshikar must be a stop on any sincere modak trail. Though it is mainly known for its ukadiche modak, other varieties, including saffron, nut-based, mawa and dry fruit, have also gained popularity. Kesar mawa gets considerable mention amongst the other types of modaks offered. The popularity of Panshikar continues to thrive as it adheres to its traditional style, making it a good option for those looking for variety from a historical shop.
Address: Gananath CHS, SB Road, Opposite Dadar Station, Dadar West, Mumbai
Timing: 8 AM – 9 PM
Price for two: ₹100
Bombay Sweet Shop, Byculla
If traditional modaks are not the only reason to take a dip into the trail, Bombay Sweet Shop has a quirky side to the festival. Its offerings for the festival include a Modak Medley, along with a variety of chocolate modaks, such as the Chocolate Hazelnut Modak, Puran Poli Modak, and Malta Orange Modak. It also offers a Chocolate Fudge Modak as part of its current selection; this modak features a chocolate peda coating with a ganache filling. The place to be for anyone looking for more than just traditional fillings.
Address: Unit 1, JAK Compound, Dadoji Konddeo Cross Lane, Byculla, Mumbai
Timing: Mon-Thu:11 AM – 8 PM, Fri-Sun:11 AM – 9 PM
Price for two: ₹1,600
MM Mithaiwala, Malad
MM Mithaiwala Pvt. Ltd. is a place that emphasises milk-based varieties, with festive offerings including several types of mawa modak, such as mawa-kaju and chocolate mawa. The use of mawa with nuts gives each of the above varieties an entirely new character, unlike the coconut-jaggery combination used in ukadiche modaks. As a result, it's one of the must-visit establishments for those who wish to try different varieties of modak in Mumbai's western suburbs.
Address: Vasanti Bhavan, Opposite Railway Station, Malad West, Mumbai
Timing: 7 AM – 11 PM
Price for two: ₹200
New Karachi Sweets, Khar
New Karachi Sweets is a contrasting establishment, especially for those wishing to try both traditional and modern tastes. Its steamed modaks stand out as one of the worthy varieties worth tasting, while chocolate alternatives provide an entirely different flavour. The establishment has been mentioned in several guides to modaks in Mumbai, which provides enough reason to give it a try. Anyone who wants to compare a soft steamed version with a richer chocolate-based one should definitely visit this place.
Address: Shop 6, Ajanta Building, 3rd Road, Khar, Mumbai
Timing: 9 AM – 8:45 PM
Price for two: ₹200
Sangeeta Sweets, Tardeo
If you are looking for something creamier, Sangeeta Sweets is a good option to try. Their special offering for the festive season is the kesar malai modak, but in previous years, they have also offered modaks in chocolate, anjeer, pistachio, and cashew flavours. The kesar malai modak is ideal for those who love milk-based Indian sweets and want something different from the coconut-and-jaggery variety.
Address: 26, Vellard View, Opposite Prabhu Kunj, Peddar Road, Mumbai
Timing: 10 AM – 9 PM
Price for two: ₹500
Conclusion
The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 presents a wonderful opportunity to explore Mumbai through the lens of modaks. The sweet dishes from reputable places such as Modakam, Aaswad, and Panshikar offer traditional treats, while innovative modak from Mumbai Sweet Shop and MM Mithaiwala make the sweet experience more memorable. The other shops on this journey are Sangeeta and New Karachi Sweets, offering guests a wide variety of sweets to taste.
blurb
Ukadiche modak is unique because it is steamed rather than fried, making it very different from other types of modaks. It consists of dough made from rice flour, filled with a mixture of coconut and jaggery, and is therefore soft and delicately sweet.