For Indian fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, few places in the world have the energy and cosmopolitan feel of Mumbai, where he lives part-time.
“There’s a reason it’s called the greatest city,” he says. “It’s always lively and buzzing. It’s the heart of India, where the film industry and business people are based, and just like New York, Indians also come to Mumbai to fulfill their dreams.”
Mumbai is also inclusive, with a diverse population made up of residents from all socio-economic classes and religions, Mukherjee said.
Mukherjee is well known in India and around the world for his eponymous luxury brand, which includes luxury clothing, jewellery, and accessories. He has his 25,000 square foot store in Mumbai and Oprah his Winfrey and Priyanka his Chopra are among his many celebrity fans.
Sharing some of the best spots in Mumbai, Mukherjee said: Penta.
Advertisement – SCROLL TO CONTINUE
Stay
Mumbai has one ultimate hotel. It is the Taj Mahal Palace in Colaba. Hotels like this no longer exist and are truly the grand dame of this city. This is a historic building and an expression of Indian hospitality. Stay in the old palace wing. The room is beautiful. It was destroyed and rebuilt during the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. It’s a great story of resilience.
hidden gem
Advertisement – SCROLL TO CONTINUE
Ballard Estate was South Mumbai’s first consciously planned commercial center and is a place that most people miss. Built in the 1900s, it’s home to impressive architecture and landmarks, including Port Trust War Memorial. Although large parts of Mumbai have undergone urbanization and change, this part of the city has remained untouched. Time has stopped. Unlike other parts of Mumbai, there is not a lot of traffic here.
Must-see attractions
Victoria Terminal, a public station, is a marvel of Victorian Gothic architecture. If you stand in front of it at 9 a.m., you’ll see a million people rushing out to work. You can feel the energy of Mumbai.
Advertisement – SCROLL TO CONTINUE
We also recommend the Prince of Wales Museum, dedicated to Indian history, and the David Sassoon Library, housed in a beautiful Victorian Gothic building.
Religious sites include the Blue Synagogue and Haji Ali Sarga.
Take a walk along Marine Drive early in the morning or late at night to soak up the atmosphere of this expansive city. It’s a beautiful walk.
Advertisement – SCROLL TO CONTINUE
And, of course, there’s India Gate, an arched monument built on the waterfront in the early 20th century.Missing it is like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower
eat
trishna A must-see in Kala Ghoda, it was opened in the 1930s through a hole in the wall. You won’t find better seafood anywhere in the world. We recommend butter garlic crab, fried local Bombay duck, and appam or rice pancakes. I end the meal with Parsi Malai Kulfi which has a smoky caramel flavor that other Kulfis don’t have.
Advertisement – SCROLL TO CONTINUE
My other favorite place is Britannia Cafe, an old Iranian cafe that serves berry pulao (rice dishes). Salli Boti, a traditional Parsi lamb dish. And raspberry soda. Leopold is another Iranian cafe that I like.
Haji Ali Juice Center has some of the best vegetarian sandwiches with Indian spices, including my favorite butter-tomato-cucumber sandwich with black pepper and spices. You always have to wait in line, but it’s well worth it.
If you want to experience the iconic street food, head to Chowpatty Beach and try the vada pao (potato fritter sandwich), bhel puri (rice and vegetables seasoned with spicy sauce), pani puri (tangy water filled Enjoy the flavorful stuffed balls of fried dough. .
shop
A great place to shop for textiles is the Indian Textile Company at the Taj Hotel. We have beautiful brocade fabrics, pashmina shawls, printed blouses, sarees and more. For home decoration, Good Earth by Raghuvanshi Mills is the perfect choice. Think Williams-Sonoma Indian Style.
I love antique shopping and my favorite places are Phillips Antiques and Great Eastern Home, which has some of the most high-end antiques in the city.
Everyone must spend a day at Chor Bazaar, Mumbai’s equivalent of Portobello Market. I buy a lot of antique items here at Taheralize. Crawford Market in South Mumbai is another bustling Indian bazaar. It’s always crowded but very charming. If you get lost, you can find everything from clothing to electronics.
Souvenirs to buy
Kolhapuri chappals, or slippers, from Colaba Causeway. Handcrafted from durable leather, these shoes are highly functional and beautiful at the same time. It can be used for a lifetime.
Day trips out of town
Elephanta Cave. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a series of cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.