In My Hood: Out and About in Bandra, Mumbai

My favorite district is Bandra in the west of Mumbai, because everything comes together here. The charm of the old city with the historical heritage of the Parsis and Catholics meets the glitz and glamour of Bollywood and the modern lifestyle of the expats and hipsters who live here. 

The district’s landmark is the impressive Bandra-Worli Sea Link road bridge, a masterpiece that was completed in 2010. For a bit of art and culture, I prefer to stroll along Chapel Road. The old street is lined with pretty colonial-style houses and also shows how great street art can be in Mumbai. 

There is a wonderful view of Bandra from Mount Bandra – a hill on which the Mount Mary Basilica is also located. The Gothic church is an important meeting place for the Catholic community in Mumbai. Bandra is not only a place of creativity and tradition, it is also home to a great gastronomic scene. At Bastian, you can enjoy your meal in a very stylish ambience. After all, you eat with your eyes! Sequel, a restaurant famous for its delicious and healthy dishes such as black rice with lotus root and coconut yogurt with Kerala vanilla, is also a pleasant place to sit.

In the evenings, it gets loud on Bandra’s streets and in the clubs. At Bonobo, live music and DJs alternate to get guests dancing and partying. Snacks and drinks are also served.

Bandra is also one of the best districts in Mumbai for shopping. Bargain hunters and lovers of designer brands will find everything from inexpensive stalls selling shoes, handbags, and accessories to exclusive luxury stores on Linking Road and Hill Road.

Would you like to know more about Bandra? Explore the district with a guided tour, which you can book via GetYourGuide. 

Bestselling author ("All He Left Me Was a Recipe") and influencer Shenaz Treasury was born in Mumbai and has lived abroad for many years, acting in various movies and series.