What Makes Bandra The Best Suburb of Mumbai?

There are other suburbs in Mumbai and then there is Bandra. No other suburb of Mumbai comes even close to the beauty, the experiences, the shopping, the diversity,  and the various kinds of delectable foods and cuisines that this corner of Mumbai has to offer. And of course, who can forget the charm of Bollywood that simply oozes out of Bandra? It is said that if you walk down any street in Bandra at any time of the day, you are bound to find at least one celebrity, singer, or director like it is just another Tuesday.

If you don’t believe us, you can see for yourself when you visit this enchanting land. This February, Things2do has curated this little guide to Bandra for you of some of the best places, cute little cafes that you should definitely visit and some things you just have to do. 

1Walking down the Bandstand promenade

Bandstand is Bandra’s premiere and the most scenic and photogenic promenade of the two with the other being Carter Road. Whether you walk down Bandstand during sunset with your partner, or friends, or just as a solo experience, the view is going to be nothing short of a moment of pure magic. While doing so, you can also enjoy some wonderful street delicacies from multiple ‘thelas’ (small handheld carts) that line the waterfront for a complete experience.

2Being a Starry-eyed Bollywood Fanatic

Being the home of the infamous Bollywood film industry, Mumbai has attracted generations of people from all over the country, even those outside India, in hopes of building a career in the entertainment industry. Or to marvel at the wonderful lives of the artists, hoping to catch a glimpse of your favourite actor or actress waving back at you if you are lucky enough. 

While walking down the Bandstand promenade, you can also find the luxurious seaside bungalows and apartment buildings home to industry kings and queens like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Rekha, and many more. Many people like to look at them and imagine how their favourite celebrities live and what their lives would look like if they lived as their neighbours. The reality might be different but hey, no harm in imagination right? Who knows you may even find a celebrity jogging right in front of you.

3 Trip to the Past at the Mount Mary Basilica

Oof! Could you ever imagine that this one tiny sliver of Bandra could provide so many different experiences? If we at Things2do are being honest, neither could we. At just a small climb up the hill sits this Gothic Church that is 100s of years old and is the heart of Bandra’s large Christian community. However, its beauty attracts people of all faiths with people lighting candles believing that the Virgin Mary really does grant wishes. 

Pov- you are about to visit Bandstand and play the game of imagining living next to a celebrity. If praying at this church really does grant wishes, wouldn’t you want to give it a shot?

4The Shopping Experience to Remember

Coming to Bandra and shopping at the 2 major shopping streets of Hill Road and Linking Road have almost become like a ritual of sorts. These 2 streets are lined with shops and street vendors selling all kinds of items like shoes, clothes, jewellery and many other things. That too, at prices people would have a very hard time believing. Bargaining with the vendors for one of their eye-catching items is an experience that is highly recommended simply for the amount of exhilaration you get.

5For the Cute Little Cafes

We at Things2do would like to applaud the strategic way in which Bandra has been planned and so should you. Both the shopping districts of Bandra, Linking Road and Hill Road, are connected by a network of small streets. Each of these, you guessed it right, is lined with these cute and aesthetic cafes that will satisfy every craving you have ever had including those you didn’t even know existed within you. From the decadent options at Aromas Cafe to the healthier options at Greenr Cafe, Bandra has it all. 

And just when you thought the day was finally over, you enter the other shopping street and the experience continues on.

Bandra is a suburb that just keeps on giving you new experiences and all it asks in return is your time. It has a lot more to offer but some things are best enjoyed by spontaneously running into them. We at Things2do hope that this guide helps you experience the best that Bandra offers and to trust us when we say that it will not disappoint you. For more fun and engaging content, follow us on Instagram @things2doinmumbai and on www.Things2.do

by Ritvik Agarwal

Content Writer at Things2do