The Hunger Games: Mumbai’s Hardest Reservations & Why You Must Try Anyway

These days, it seems easier to bag a visa or finally make it up the waitlist for a Birkin bag than to get a table at some of Bombay’s hottest, most loved dining spots. Is that a slight exaggeration? Perhaps. But are reservations getting tougher by the minute in this city? A 100 per cent, yes.

If you’ve ever spent an evening frantically refreshing a booking app, begging a waiter to “please just check again,” or plotting your dining-out calendar like a military operation, congratulations—you’ve played (and probably lost) this busy, chaotic city’s ‘Hunger Games’ of table reservations. Bombay’s hottest tables are booked out weeks—sometimes months—in advance, guarded like state secrets and fought over with the intensity that is usually reserved for IPL finals. It’s borderline funny just how much we keep trying (and failing) to score our desired reservations because, as my mother says, “aren’t we the ones paying them?” But, it is what it is, and in usual Bombay style, restaurants as tiny as 650 sqft take us around for a spin in the race to maybe, finally get that table.

But here’s the thing: every one of these spots is worth the chase. Whether it’s the chef’s tasting menu that breaks the internet—and leaves you asking for more—many of these making it to ‘World’s 50 Best’, cocktails that are making the rounds on Instagram before they’re even poured, or an ambience that makes you feel like you’ve stepped straight into a movie set, these restaurants are the reason Mumbai’s dining scene is the most thrilling it’s ever been. Buckle up—your next great meal is only a waitlist (or couple) away.

The Table

The Table, in Colaba, tops this list by miles.

There are “hard to get” reservations, and then there is The Table, Colaba—the restaurant that turns even the most seasoned diners into wide-eyed rookies refreshing the booking link like it’s a concert ticket drop. On weekends, getting a table here feels like winning a small lottery; on weekdays, only slightly easier. Regulars swear by booking weeks in advance, while first-timers often rely on sheer luck, charm, or the occasional friend-of-a-friend miracle. But the moment you step inside, with its chic black-and-white floors, soaring ceilings, and effortlessly stylish crowd, you instantly understand why Mumbai refuses to stop fighting for a seat. And that’s exactly why this gem has even made it into the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. 

The menu? It reads like a love letter to food for all food lovers. Crowd favourites include their zucchini spaghetti, boneless chicken wings and the non-negotiable truffled fries. The cherry on top is undoubtedly their melt-in-your-mouth tiramisu!

At The Table, the service is warm, the cocktails are consistently spot-on, and the desserts are the perfect finale to a meal that somehow always exceeds expectations. So yes, securing a table might require strategy, stamina, and maybe even a backup plan, but once you’re seated, every second will most definitely be absolutely worth it.

Address: Ground Floor, Kalapesi Trust Building, opposite Dhanraj Mahal, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

Timings: Monday to Saturday (12–4 pm, 7 pm–12:30 am), Sunday (11 am–4 pm, 7 pm–12:30 am)

Price for two: INR 5,000

Papa’s

The brainchild of Hunger Inc Hospitality, steered by chef Hussain Shahzad, Papa’s is probably the most in-demand restaurant in all of Bombay at the moment. And why wouldn’t it be? Located above everyone’s fav Veronica’s, even Dua Lipa sought after Papa’s and dined at the restaurant, post-concert. Yes, it’s that good—yes, it’s the exact 650 sqft restaurant, aforementioned.

The cosy, dimly lit hotspot has become the place everyone wants to get into—and ironically, the very place no one can get into without a serious plan. On the first of every month, at 11 am sharp, reservations for the next month go live on papasbombay.com. That’s your one and only window. Spend time blinking an eye, and you’ll regret it—seats disappear in under 60 seconds. It is quite literally the fastest finger first wins. All you have to do is pick your date, the number of guests, pay an advance fee of ₹6,000 per head (which contributes to your final bill), and if all your planets are in the right place, you’ll receive a WhatsApp confirmation. Mind you, you have to wait a month before trying again.

Papa’s has that rare “just-right” vibe—warm, buzzy, intimate, and totally unpretentious. It feels like the kind of spot you’d discover on a tucked-away street in Lisbon or Copenhagen: small plates, clever cocktails, dim golden lighting, and a mouth-watering, innovative menu. The interiors are rich and inviting—wood-panelled walls, plush seating, and soft lamps. As for the food? Papa’s does modern European comfort like it’s second nature. The whipped feta with chilli crisp is one of those dishes that disappears the second it hits the table—creamy, salty, tangy, and best scooped up messily with warm bread. Their mushroom toast is earthy and indulgent, while the short rib ragù is slow-cooked to the T. Their food is truly scandalously good, and the wildly competitive marathon for getting a rez speaks for itself!

Address: 3R3G+JMX Veronica’s, Waroda Rd, Ranwar, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050

Timings: Wednesday to Saturday (8 pm–12:30 am)

Price for two: INR 14,000

La Loca Maria

Translating into “The Crazy Maria”, this restaurant was opened by Manuel, Maria’s son, the woman who was once called crazy for opening a restaurant in a Spanish village, back when women-owned businesses were uncommon. 

One of the city’s most loved Italian joints, getting a reservation at La Loca Maria is as loco as it gets. But honestly? The chase is part of the thrill. Because once you finally step inside, you instantly understand why Mumbai refuses to stop talking about it. The interiors replicate true European goodness, with artistic accents that transport you right to Barcelona. With soft lighting and comfy chairs, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy your Friday dinner with great food. 

And talk of the devil! The food is the best of Spanish food in the city. Chef Sergio’s Spanish-inspired creations have become the stuff of legend. The Bombay croquetas are an instant crowd-pleaser—crispy, creamy, addictive. Other yum things on the menu include the patatas bravas, the enoki mushroom carpaccio, and the gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns—all of which come sizzling with flavour. But the star of the show, the dish that keeps the waitlist permanently overflowing, is, of course, the paella. Pair these with an indulgent dessert (the Burnt Basque Cheesecake deserves its own fan club), and suddenly that impossible-to-get reservation becomes insignificant!

Address: Fatima villa, 29th Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050

Timings: Tuesday to Sunday (12–3:30 pm, 7 pm–1 am)

Price for two: INR 4,500

Masque

Also among the World’s 50 Best, Masque’s ten-course tasting menu by head chef Varun Totlani, is not only famous across Mumbai, but also the world. With never-heard-of items like lamb brain and turmeric scampi, the race for the rez seems pretty reasonable. Everyone wants it, but only the fastest (and sometimes most desperate) can have it!

The dining room itself is unmistakable—high ceilings, industrial minimalism, warm lighting, and that signature earthy-luxury aesthetic that the restaurant has perfected. Meanwhile, the menu keeps changing constantly, but what remains ever-present is the innovativeness that each dish has to offer. From a duck tartlet and cocoa pod lamb to the most interesting pairings of kombucha (even die-hard wine loyalists are obsessed), everyone goes (and keeps going back) for the bold and the unexpected. If you’re lucky, you’ll also catch their iconic yam tacos, which have achieved near-royal status for transforming an everyday ingredient into something almost addictive.

The tasting menus are a three-hour sensory experience of their own. So, try (and try and try) to get your tables soon—but good luck!

Address: Masque, Unit G3, Shree Laxmi Woollen Mills, Shakti Mills Lane, off Doctor Elijah Moses Road, Mahalakshmi, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400018

Timings: Tuesday to Saturday (7–11:30 pm), Sunday (12:30–3:30 pm, 7 pm–12 am)

Price for two: INR 13,000

Avatara 

The world’s first all-vegetarian, Michelin-starred restaurant, Avatara, is quite literally what makes up most of Bombay’s dreams. After Dubai, Mumbai is its second outpost, and the restaurant has got the city in a chokehold over just how good vegetarian food can actually be—no wonder reservations are such a hassle to get.

The space is serene, almost monastic—soft lighting, a warm beige palette, and clean, minimal lines that let the food take centre stage. It isn’t flashy; it doesn’t need to be. Avatara’s drama unfolds right in front of you, on your plates. The menu offers a 14-course and 16-course tasting menu, with many dishes that are even onion and garlic-free, by chef Rahul Rana. They’re a masterclass in humble eating—a true representation of the soul of our country. Must-try signatures by the chef include the jackfruit biryani, the morel kebab—earthy, creamy, and luxurious all—and the ghee-roasted pumpkin, transformed into something sweet and smoky. To top it all off, their raspberry ghevar is the kind of dessert that sends you home with a big, happy smile. 

Avatara is a representation of just how fascinating even vegetarian food can be. It’s a rare and loved joint where everything, from the decor to the cutlery to the ingredients in the food, feels extremely intentional and considered. So, if that’s enough convincing, try and get yourselves a table soon!

Address: 7th floor, Krishna Curve Building, Juhu Tara Rd, opp. Juhu Garden, Hasmukh Nagar, Santacruz (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400054

Timings: Monday to Sunday (12–4 pm, 7–11 pm)

Price for two: INR 11,000

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