At Savaari, our mission is to wholeheartedly embrace and explore the diverse culture and cuisine of India. One of Mumbai’s most iconic street foods, the vada pav, holds great significance for the people of this bustling city. This humble snack offers a glimpse into Mumbai’s rich history and cultural diversity. It is a snack that people from all walks of life indulge in, whether on their way to work, rushing to catch a train or simply celebrating life’s little moments. The vada pav is a quintessential part of Mumbai’s food scene, loved by all, from the rich to the poor. It is a snack that brings people together, transcends all barriers, and truly reflects the spirit of Mumbai. Although vada pav is ubiquitous in the city, discovering the best vada pav in Mumbai can be overwhelming.
Hence, we asked the residents of Mumbai to share their recommendations for the best vada pavs in the city during their comfortable rides in Savaari cabs. Through their reviews, we have compiled a comprehensive guide to help our fellow travellers discover and relish the best vada pavs in Mumbai. This article is a collective effort of the travellers, by the travellers, and for the travellers to celebrate the beloved snack that has become a part of Mumbai’s identity.
Table of Contents
- Ashok Vada Pav, Dadar
- Cannon Pav Bhaji, Fort
- Aaram Vada Pav, CSMT
- Gajanan Vada Pav, Mulund
- Graduate Vada Pav, Byculla
- Khidki Vada Pav, Kalyan
- Mangesh Vada Pav, Borivali West
- Parleshwar Vadapav Samrat, Vile Parle East
- Shivaji Vada Pav, Vile Parle West
- Shree Krishna Batatawada, Dadar West
1. Ashok Vada Pav, Dadar
As an ardent fan of Ashok Vada Pav, I have been relishing their delectable vada pavs for years. During one of my trips with Savaari a couple of years ago, I saw my favourite Bollywood actress, Madhuri Dixit in Ashok Vada Pav, enjoying the snack right next to me. Despite being starstruck, I quietly savoured my own plate of vada pav in a corner.
The vada pavs at Ashok’s are a burst of flavours. The crispy outer layer of the vada perfectly complements the soft pav and tangy chutney. The heavenly taste helped me understand why even Madhuri Dixit was a die-hard fan of it. I also adore their unique twist on the classic vada pav, the choora pava, which has choora mixed with chutney, stuffed inside the pav. Over time, Ashok Vada Pav has catered to numerous renowned Bollywood celebrities, including Sushmita Sen and Sonu Nigam, among others. In my opinion, Ashok Vada Pav is undoubtedly the best vada pav in the city. I highly recommend trying it out.
– Prem Rathore
Where: Off Cadel Road, Kirti College Lane, Prabhadevi, Mumbai
Cost for two: INR 100
Opening hours: 11 AM to 9.30 PM
2. Cannon Pav Bhaji, Fort
Cannon Pav Bhaji is my all-time favourite joint in Mumbai for vada pav. It holds a special place in my heart, dating back to my school days in the late 70s. My friends and I would sneak out of classes to indulge in their delectable vada pav. We would celebrate special occasions like birthdays and post-exam treats with their mouth-watering food. The taste of the vada pav is authentic and has remained the same over the years. It always takes me on a nostalgic journey with every bite.
Even today, whenever I book an hourly Savaari car rental in Mumbai, I make sure to stop by Cannon Pav Bhaji. I relish their famous Amul Pav Bhaji and Masala Chaas to quench my thirst. The buttery bhaji and soft pavs are unbeatable! The staff, primarily women, treat us with utmost warmth and hospitality, making us feel right at home. What sets them apart from other places is the unique twist they add to the classic dish. They serve their pav bhaji with spring onions. The experience of watching tonnes of pav bhaji being made in giant tawas right before our eyes is truly amazing. It’s no wonder that this place has been a favourite spot for locals for decades. I highly recommend Cannon Pav Bhaji to anyone visiting Mumbai.
– Rajesh Patole
Where: Mahapalika Marg, Opposite Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Fort
Cost for two: INR 110
Opening hours: 7.00 AM to 10.00 PM
3. Aaram Vada Pav, CSMT
Aram Vada Pav holds a special place in my heart. It was where I took my wife after our families met for our arranged marriage. Amidst the pressure of the occasion, we found comfort in each other’s company over a plate of their mouth-watering vada pav. The crispy and piping hot vadas served with spicy chutney, and mirchi were the perfect ingredients for us to fall in love.
Even today, we frequent Aram Vada Pav as often as we can because it is not only our favourite vada pav spot but also holds a special significance for us. The vada pavs strike the perfect balance of flavours and textures. The crispy and flavourful vada complements the soft and fluffy bun, while the spicy chutney adds a burst of flavour that enhances the other ingredients perfectly. The flavours are so rich and satisfying that I can never resist ordering more. Aram Vada Pav is undoubtedly the place to be in Mumbai if you want to enjoy delicious vada pav, especially if you want to impress your partner.
– Sanjay Devnani
Where: Capitol Cinema Building, Opp. CST Station, Mumbai CST Area, Mumbai
Cost for two: INR 200
Opening hours: 8.30 AM to 8.30 PM
4. Gajanan Vada Pav, Mulund
Gajanan Vada Pav is undoubtedly my top pick for relishing vada pav in Mumbai. As a child, my family and I would frequent this place, and it holds a special place in my heart. I have also celebrated some of my significant milestones here, like treating my mother after landing my first job. Hence, every bite of the vada pav from Gajanan represents a taste of success for me.
What sets Gajanan Vada Pav apart from other places is its delectable chutney made with besan and chillies, which takes the taste of the vada pav to the next level. The tangy and spicy chutney is so irresistible that I make it a point to book an hourly car rental in Mumbai every Sunday to relish their scrumptious vada pav with my daughter. The taste of the vada pav here is unparalleled. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic Mumbai street food experience.
– Joseph Cornelio
Where: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Road, Naupada, Thane West
Cost for two: INR 100
Opening hours: 7.30 AM to 9.30 PM
5. Graduate Vada Pav, Byculla
Throughout my time as a Savaari driver in Mumbai, I’ve had the pleasure of trying many different vada pavs around the city. However, my absolute favourite is Graduate Vada Pav in Byculla. I once served an NRI customer who was initially angry and complaining about everything in Mumbai. After eating the vada pav at Graduate Vada Pav in Byculla, he emerged looking like a whole new person. He thanked me for recommending the best vada pav he had in his life.
What sets Graduate Vada Pav apart from other places is its wide selection of options, including classics like the traditional vada pav, as well as unique variations like the Cheese Vada Pav and the spicy Boom Bam Vada Pav. Each vada pav is bursting with flavour, making it difficult to choose just one. I highly recommend visiting Graduate Vada Pav with an empty stomach. You can indulge in as many of their delicious vada pavs as possible.
– Irfan Pasha, Savaari driver
Where: Railway Reservation Office, Byculla Station Rd, Byculla East, Jacob Circle, Mumbai
Cost: Rs. 100 for two
Opening hours: 7.30 AM to 10.30 PM
6. Khidki Vada Pav, Kalyan
During my childhood days, I used to buy vada pav from a couple who sold them through their window in Kalyan. I later discovered that the couple, Mr Yashawant Moreshwar Vaze and Mrs Uma Vaze, had started this business with a meager investment of Rs. 300 when they required a source of income in 1968.
Their vada pav gained immense popularity, and they were eventually given the moniker “khidkivadas,” which Mr Vaze trademarked in 1991. This incredible tale of their dedication and perseverance left a lasting impression on me, and it feels special to know that I was one of their original customers. Even now, I book a cab from Mumbai to Kalyan to relish the delicious vada pav they serve. The vadas served at their window are crispy, piping hot, and the taste is simply divine, making it undoubtedly the best place to enjoy vada pav in Mumbai.
– Leela Bendre
Where: Ahilyabai Chowk, Tilak Chowk, Kalyan, Maharashtra
Cost for two: INR 100
Opening hours: 9.00 AM to 9.00 PM
7. Mangesh Vada Pav, Borivali West
During my pregnancy, nothing could satisfy my vada pav cravings except those from Mangesh Vada Pav in Borivali, a 30-minute drive from my home. I tried various other vada pavs, but nothing seemed to satisfy my cravings like the ones from Mangesh. To this day, I take a Savaari ride to Mangesh just to indulge in their mouth-watering vada pavs.
What sets their vada pavs apart is their unique meetha chutney, which is made from dates, tamarind, and chillies. It strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and spiciness, making it a must-try for anyone with a craving for pav bhaji. Despite the long distance, I believe it’s definitely worth the journey, and I highly recommend visiting Mangesh for a truly unforgettable vada pav experience.
– Sheetal Patil
Where: Babhai Naka, Borivali West, Mumbai
Cost for two: INR 100
Opening hours: 4.00 PM to 10.00 PM
8. Parleshwar Vadapav Samrat, Vile Parle East
Parleshwar Vadapav Samrat in Vile Parle East is my go-to place for the best vada pav in Mumbai. Whenever I had a long day at work, I would head over there with my colleagues to indulge in their delicious vada pavs. In fact, even on days when I’m running late for work, I make sure to grab a quick bite from there. What sets their vada pav apart is the subtle hint of coconut in the vada mixture, giving it a unique flavour that cannot be found anywhere else in the city.
Additionally, they offer a variety of grilled vada pav options, such as butter grilled, mayonnaise grilled, and schezwan grilled, among others, that are simply irresistible. I highly recommend visiting Parleshwar Vadapav Samrat for a truly delicious and one-of-a-kind vada pav experience.
– Shishir Shinde
Where: Shop 4, Nand Prem Complex, Hanuman Rd, Vile Parle East, Mumbai
Cost for two: INR 100
Opening hours: 9.00 AM to 10.00 PM
9. Shivaji Vada Pav, Vile Parle West
During my journey from Mumbai airport to my home in a Savaari, I became extremely famished and requested my driver to take me to a vada pav joint as I had been craving it after spending a year in the Gulf. He directed me to a narrow lane in Dadar, where the delightful smell of freshly fried vadas caught my attention. I decided to give it a try and was so impressed that I consumed four vada pavs in one go!
Since then, I have become a regular customer at Shivaji Vada Pav. I am grateful to my driver for introducing me to this place, which has now become my favourite. Shivaji Vada Pav is well-known for its scrumptious schezwan and cheese schezwan vada pav, and renowned personalities like Shaban Azmi and Jackie Shroff are known to be fans of this joint. If you’re a vada pav enthusiast, you should not miss the opportunity to visit this excellent stall.
– Rohit Gayakwad
Where: Outside Mithibai College, Vile Parle West
Cost for two: INR 100
Opening hours: 9.00 AM to 10.00 PM
10. Shree Krishna Batatawada, Dadar West
Coming from Kerala, I never quite grasped the fascination with vada pavs that people in Mumbai seemed to have. Although I had tried vada pavs in Kerala, they never quite lived up to the hype. However, while passing by Dadar in a Savaari, my friend introduced me to Shree Krishna Batatawada, a bustling street-side stall selling vada pavs. Intrigued, I decided to try it and was instantly blown away by the explosion of flavours in the Shree Krishna Batatawada.
The vada had a delectably crispy exterior, complemented perfectly with a generous blend of spices. The addition of garlic chutney offered a delightfully spicy and tangy kick, while the sweet chutney balanced out the flavours with a subtle sweetness. I was thoroughly impressed and finally understood the reason behind the vada pav craze in Mumbai.
– Ancy Thomas
Where: Radha Niwas, 7, Chhabildas Rd, Dadar West, Mumbai
Cost for two: INR 200
Opening hours: 7.00 AM to 10.00 PM
Why go on a Vada Pav trail in Mumbai?
The humble vada pav may just be a snack, but it is so much more than that in Mumbai. It is an emotion that connects people, regardless of their backgrounds or social status. To fully appreciate the significance of vada pav, it’s important to uncover the history and culture of Mumbai’s vada pav cuisine. In the 1960s, Balasaheb Thackeray encouraged Maharashtrians to follow the example of South Indians who had set up successful Udupi restaurants. Inspired by this call to entrepreneurship, Ashok Vaidya opened a stall outside Dadar Station in 1966, where thousands of workers passed by each day on their way to the textile mills.
Initially, Vaidya sold vada and poha alongside an omelette pav stall. However, he soon realised that poha was not the best option as it required a lot of provisions and was a cumbersome job. Vaidya then hit upon the idea of using pav, a popular Maharashtrian snack, as a base for his vada. He placed a vada between two slices of pav along with some chutney, and the result was the now-iconic vada pav. Vada pav became an instant hit and quickly gained popularity among the working class in Mumbai.
Mumbai is brimming with an abundance of vada pav joints, making it difficult to select just a handful. However, it would be unjust to exclude the likes of Kunj Vihar Vada pav in Thane, MM Mithaiwala in Malad, and CTO wala Vadapav opposite Hutatma Chowk, among many others. These establishments deserve honourable mentions for their delectable vada pav offerings.
The city’s love affair with the vada pav is evident in the sheer number of joints and stalls that serve this beloved snack. And with every bite of a vada pav, one can taste the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Mumbai. From the classic spicy vada pav to modern fusions, there is something for everyone in this city. What makes the vada pav so special is the constant evolution of its flavours through experimentation. Each new variation is a testament to the city’s never-ending quest for culinary excellence.
This experimentation, coupled with the emotional connection that the vada pav creates, makes it an iconic symbol of Mumbai’s vibrant culture. To elevate your vada pav experience and make it stress-free and enjoyable, consider downloading the Savaari app. With this app, you can travel around Mumbai in a comfortable cab with an experienced chauffeur at the helm. In addition to a comfortable and safe ride, you also have the added benefit of having a knowledgeable local guide. They can give you insider tips and take you to the hidden gems of Mumbai’s vada pav scene. And with the convenience of not having to worry about parking, you can focus entirely on enjoying the delicious flavours of Mumbai’s iconic vada pav. So, the next time you take a bite of a vada pav, remember that you are not just tasting a snack but a slice of Mumbai’s culture and history.
Last Updated on January 17, 2024 by Swati Deol
