11 Secret Mumbai Restaurants Locals Keep to Themselves

7. Bara Handi — local street-grill favourite

Bara Handi and places like it are loved for grilled meats that show smoke and spice without complicated presentation. Locals come for generous, flavour-forward portions and for the conviviality that forms around food cooked over coals. These spots are usually casual and work best for groups who want to share plates and compare spice levels. The price point is approachable, and many regulars treat a visit as an affordable night out. Local advice: go with an appetite and order multiple skewers to try different marinades. The energy is part of the draw — cooks at the grill chat with customers and suggest pairings, creating a friendly, communal dining rhythm. For many Mumbaikars, these grills strike the perfect balance between comfort and bold flavour.