There are thousands of varieties of parathas, from simple to exotic. While street vendors offer traditional stuffed varieties, places like Parathawalla and Only Parathas serve classic versions of stuffed parathas and hotels such as Deluxe offer soothing Malabar parottas. Fort’s Paratha Mantra creates unique flatbreads using unusual fillings and they have a unique Mumbai spin on texture, filling, and tradition at every location.
Mumbai’s vast and varied food scene can be defined as a whirlwind of flavours and excitement for foodies to dig into; plus, every cuisine you can think of, from street food to fine dining, can be found easily at any time of the day. There is one item in common among them all: the informal and humble paratha is a universal comfort food for office lunch, midnight snacks and brunch on the weekends. However, in Mumbai, parathas are more than just a form of food; they represent a way of life, they have become part of the rituals of everyday life, and they can sometimes create a queue. There is a huge selection of parathas available throughout the city, including street corner vendors who serve delicious hot aloo parathas, to trendy cafés where you can find fusion variations such as chilli and cheese.
If you're looking for the ultimate paratha experience when in Mumbai, you have to try some of the classic versions. Many street vendors in Andheri, like the K1 Paratha Center, produce deliciously fried thick aloo parathas, which you'll find on not just everyone's dinner plates, but also their Instagram feeds. These huge aloo parathas are fried to perfection with butter on top, making them more appealing than most dine-in restaurants.
Additionally, near Grant Road, you will find multiple seekh paratha vendors, which specialise in huge stuffed parathas with juicy kebabs and are very popular among many of the Mumbaikers who work in offices, as they are perfect for a hearty meal that packs a punch of flavour.
For the very best in stuffed parathas in Mumbai, you can't go wrong with Only Parathas, which has multiple locations. They offer a huge variety of fillings such as pudina-cheese and capsicum & spring onion. There are places such as Parathawala, which is well known for its generous gobi, paneer, mooli, chicken, and cheese-stuffed parathas that bring back memories of dining at home. All of these places serve their parathas with classic condiments such as curd, pickles, and also chai to give you the true desi experience.
Mumbai’s paratha scene may be dominated by Northeastern parathas, but Malabar parottas are making waves of their own. A big reason for this is the popularity of parottas—or what we call parathas—paired with luscious curries and meats at restaurants like Hotel Deluxe in Fort. These flaky, layered parottas fit well into the winter comfort food lineup, attracting both locals and visitors.
Fort’s Paratha Mantra is pushing the boundaries of the traditional paratha by offering fun variations, such as pav bhaji paratha, pizza paratha, pesto paratha, and four-cheese paratha. These play off the standard paratha while keeping the core elements that make up a good paratha base—and that’s exactly what is being talked about here. One of the most beloved knockbacks in Mumbai is the Prithvi Cafe in Juhu, where you can enjoy chilli-and-cheese parathas and chai and spend some time talking about theatre and culture; it’s a restaurant that caters to the comfort seeker and an adventurous eater. These examples show that parathas have become versatile and allow the integration of worldly flavours while remaining locally inspired.
Additionally, there are some hidden treasures that paratha pros are likely to come upon if they venture out to Mumbai. For example, the Nawab seekh paratha joints cater to your meat cravings, while other neighbourhood paratha places—some of which are awfully affordable- provide stuffed options (the more the better). A thrilling aspect of paratha hunting is that everyone has a favourite, whether it’s the spicy achari paratha you stumbled upon in Santacruz or the multi-stuffed paratha that’s local to Andheri; you’ll always find new flavour corners.
Making your own delicious parathas at home is easy with the right ingredients and preparation. By combining great quality dough made using Aashirvaad High Fibre Atta and Multigrains for a rich, hearty foundation or going the traditional route by using Aashirvaad Select 100% MP Sharbati Atta to make light and fluffy layers. If you seek the classic texture of a paratha but do not want to use refined flour, then try using Aashirvaad Shudh Chakki Atta (100% Atta, 0% Maida), which will provide the authentic strength and weight necessary to roll, fold and add fillings. To make the filling for your parathas, prepare a mixture of your desired choice of fillings (like aloo-gobi, methi, mince, or paneer) in advance and cook them using a hot tawa and a little ghee until the colour develops into the signature golden crispiness. You may adjust the spices and heat as desired. Serve with raita or pickles, and you've created parathas in minutes at home without having to fuss over it.
Paratha culture in Mumbai represents the best of old and new – with street food and modern designs coexisting. Some people enjoy the nostalgic taste of a freshly made Aloo Paratha smothered in butter, while others will relish the flavour combination of a chilli cheese fusion roll, or the wonderfully layered flavour of Malabar parotta. When you bring your inspiration to your own kitchen, alongside good, quality ingredients and great flavourful fillings, your experience creating parathas will become so much more than simply making a flatbread; you will be creating a slice of the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Mumbai.