We are in a Bandra boom. There’s a new cafe, restaurant, or experience every second day of the week in Mumbai, and there’s no points for guessing where these are. Yes, in Bandra. The suburb has become that girl—the one everyone wants to be around, the one everyone dresses up for, the one everyone is always waiting on (sometimes literally, in a 45-minute queue). From Carter Road to Pali Village, if there’s a crowd spilling onto the footpath even on a weekday, you don’t even need to check Google Maps—you must already know it’s a Bandra café.
But here’s the thing: the hype isn’t hollow. These cafés aren’t busy because Bandra people enjoy light cardio while waiting for their avocado toast. They’re busy because the food is actually that good, the vibe is immaculate, and the coffee could fix almost anything you’re going through. The playlists are curated, the servers somehow remember your order, and the interiors always feel like they were designed specifically to make you say, “Okay, but I need one picture.”
And so, for all the times you’ve wondered whether a place is worth the line trailing onto the street, we did the waiting for you. Ahead, some Bandra cafés that justify every second spent in the sun, the humidity, the traffic, and the mild existential crisis you’ll experience while hunting for parking.
Mag St.
In simple, plain words, this cafe is about all things comfort. The eater finally planted its flag in Bandra, bringing with it all the bakery-and-brunch energy that made the original South Bombay location a neighbourhood staple. It’s the kind of place that makes you understand why people willingly stand in line for breakfast like it’s the premiere of a Marvel movie.
As far as the menu is concerned, there are many crowd favourites. As you walk in, you’re greeted by glass stands filled with freshly baked loaves and viennoiseries (thanks to their identity as a bakery as well)—from buttery almond croissants to their signature Mag St. sourdough loaf and the nutty, wholesome nachni sourdough. The broader food menu leans into comfort food that isn’t basic. Think lobster rolls, wasabi prawns, hand-cut truffle fries, and even half-and-half pizza, all of which are only a few of their most popular and signature dishes.
The vibe is peak Bandra: bright, pretty, warm, buzzing, and somehow always filled to the brim, on weekdays and weekends alike. The spot houses soft, earthy tones, with wooden accents in the furniture, making it a comforting, everyday, and unpretentious kind of spot to be at. Whether you’re there for a solo breakfast date, a quick catch-up that turns into a two-hour gossip session, or a pre-shopping fuel-up before hitting Hill Road, you must know that Mag St. delivers every single time.
And yes—it is worth the queue. Always!
Address: Construction House A, 24th Road, 16th Rd, opp. Swarna Rekha Building, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400052
Timings: Monday to Sunday (8 am–11:30 pm)
Price for two: INR 2,800
Vanilla Miel
Tucked away in the bylanes of Pali Hill, this is an artsy little spot perfect for lovers of baked goods, exploring the depths of this suburb, and of course, coffee (duh!). In a restored bungalow tucked behind bougainvillaea, the space feels intentionally peaceful—often bathed in golden sunlight, the kind of place you walk into to press pause, sip something while reading a book, and maybe do a dilly-dallying around Bandra.
For the foodies, their Iranian pistachio toastie (sourdough filled with pistachio praline, creamed feta, Kalamata olives, and 55% chocolate) is a signature that reads like a dessert and eats like a savoury sandwich. For brunch or breakfast, options like Çilbir (Turkish eggs), green egg scramble, and mustard egg croissant keep things gourmet. And then there’s the drinks—Vanilla Miel offers a lovely blend of speciality coffee and delicate patisserie-friendly beverages. Their VM house phin coffee offers a slow-brew Vietnamese phin-style experience, while fan favourites include the iced vanilla latte (espresso, chilled milk, and a hint of vanilla—my fav) and their piccolo on the hot menu.
On the sweeter side, Vanilla Miel is also known for its refined desserts: delicate tarts (like berry passion), refined entremets, and seasonal pastries that lean into the brand’s “pâtisserie perfection” ethos. Their outpost in Andheri East is dedicated solely to being a pâtisserie and chocolaterie, for all the sweet-toothed foodies reading this!
Address: 18A, 16th Rd, Pali Village, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: Monday (11:30 am–8 pm), Tuesday to Sunday (8 am–10:30 pm)
Price for two: INR 1,200
Steps Cafe
Located right next to the infamous Mount Mary steps in Bandra, this cafe is a quiet, part-sloth-mode sanctuary, part speciality coffee lab. Perched alongside a 150-year-old tamarind tree that literally runs through the building, this cafe is quaint, cutesy, and has great, great coffee.
Their coffee philosophy? Transparent, intentional, and serious. The beans come from a single estate in Chikmagalur, and the speciality coffee menu is tight, refined, and roasted to the T. Their V60 pour-over is one of their signature brews, and for cold days, the double-shot Vietnamese-style classic cold coffee (espresso + condensed milk + milk) is a fan favourite. My personal favourite is their iced latte with vanilla syrup—it’s just sweet, and just bitter enough. They even do season-specific menus catering to widely loved fruits and ingredients, which is always fun to explore. Their food menu offers sourdough-bread sandwiches, a small but solid range of breakfast and brunch options, and even vegan choices.
When you climb to their upper floor, you’re greeted by a row of potted plants and a walk-up terrace that overlooks the steps—part café, part greenhouse. It’s the sweetest little spot to work away at, or even spend a solo date contemplating life. The steps are definitely the best part, no doubts about it. With birds chirping, an occasional musician tuning away his guitar, and a soft chatter of visitors, it’s the best place to people-watch.
Happy visiting (and climbing)!
Address: Steps Café, Tertulian Rd, off Doctor Peter Dias Road, Mount Mary, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: Monday to Sunday (10 am–11:30 pm)
Price for two: INR 1,200
Boojee Cafe
Boojee might just be one of the most popular cafes in Bandra, thanks to just how many people are often found queueing up outside, even on an average weekday. It’s a perfectly curated hybrid of Parisian bakery charm and a sleek, sunlit café. It’s where you go if you want a brunch that feels intentional, a coffee that compels you to pause, and a sweet treat that’s actually worth the calories.
Their coffee menu is widespread—think classic espresso-based drinks made with in-house–roasted beans. For something more indulgent, they offer a Bon Bon in both hot and cold variants (espresso over dulce de leche), a rich caramel latte, and even a keto coffee made with ghee and topped with cacao foam. It’s as experimental as coffee gets! On the cold side, Boojee’s Vietnamese cold brew (with condensed milk), almond cold brew, and even a 9-hour cold drip coffee, are some of my personal favourites. And on the bakery front, they bake their own croissants, tarts, and more—from Brazilian chocolate cake to gluten-free hazelnut & jowar flour cake.
It’s cafe food at its best, and we are here for it!
Address: Shop No. 6, 29, New Kantwadi Rd, off Perry Cross Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: Monday to Sunday (7 am–11 pm)
Price for two: INR 1,200
Candies
Chock full of nostalgic, old-school charm, this little hot spot has been serving some of the best, warmest comfort food in the city ever since the 90s. It’s one of Bandra’s most iconic cafés—a laid-back, multi-story Portuguese-villa–style haunt that’s been around for over 25 years. It’s quite literally been woven into the locals’ memories, becoming a staple joint in the neighbourhood. The original Pali Hill branch is housed in a charming villa, complete with winding staircases, intimate terrace nooks, and a room of lamps framed by Moroccan lanterns and eclectic, vintage décor. It’s full of greenery, fairy lights, and many, many benches—a perfect spot for when you’re looking for good food and picture-perfect corners, everywhere.
The menu at Candies is refreshingly extensive. You’ll find everything from sandwiches (their chicken sandwich is a longtime favourite and reportedly the oldest item on the menu) to rolls, salads, and mini meals. For the sweet tooths, they have a treasure trove: cupcakes, cheesecakes, tarts, and desserts that feel both comforting and whimsically creative. They also bake their own bread—croissants, baguettes, brown and multigrain loaves—giving their dishes that bakery + café combo we all know and love. Following a unique system of self-service, at Candies, all customers order for themselves at the counter, take their food on a tray from a different counter, and then find themselves a spot that floats their boat. It’s casual, it’s fun, and it’s very unpretentious. Over the years, it’s evolved from just a café into a community space that honours Bandra’s artistic heart.
Address: 5AA Pali Hill, Bandra (W), next to Learners Academy School, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday (8:30 am–10:30 pm)
Price for two: INR 800
Read more: Bun Maska, Chai, And The City: Inside Mumbai’s Last Irani Cafés
Also read: These Matcha Bars In Mumbai Are (Definitely) Worth The Hype
