Shree Thaker Bhojanalay Mumbai Restaurant – 50Best Discovery

Masque is a 10-course experience that begins the moment you step into the elegant dining room housed in a former Shree Thaker Bhojanalay textile mill. No matter how busy it gets (seating is first-come, first-served), the movements in this energetic dining room always seem choreographed. Since 1945, Mumbaiites and visitors have been lining up outside Shree Thaker Bhojanalay’s door, sometimes even down the stairs and onto the dusty chaos of Kalbadevi’s streets, and for good reason.

How A Man Who Came To Mumbai With Just ₹5 Built The Iconic Shree Thaker Bhojanalay

What began in a modest 200 sq ft space, seating just 20 at a time, has now become a beloved institution. Not that celebs opinions hold more value, but that it's famous enough of a restaurant that they have visited it. Thali is a concept of serving food in a large plate, with multiple components including farsan (fried snacks), salads, chutneys, dessert etc in small portions. Someone who starts taking name for-granted looses it’s ability to produce good food and ambiance.

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• “Actor Farooq Shaikh used to love our food and was a regular,” says Gautam.
• Another writes that the thali includes «unlimited quantities of farsan, veggies, rotis, pulao, dal, kadhi, buttermilk and creamy shrikhand.» Christien Manfield finds the ambience «modest», like that of a «worker’s canteen», where «friendly staff insist on constantly refilling plates,» and an unmatched choice of bhakris and rotis, with main and side dishes like corn dhokla, aloo rasawala and vegetable pulao.
• Sree Thaker Bhojnalay has one of the most iconic thalis in Mumbai.
• A decades old eatery that serves YUMM Gujarati vegetarian food.
• Once at the table, just signal one of the servers and get ready to witness the food parade.
• I’ll share my dining experience at one of the most popular places for an authentic Gujarati thali in Mumbai.

For over 75 years, it has brought together people from all walks of life to share in the communal joy of an authentic thali experience. The sweet dal strikes an ideal balance, while the various vegetable curries, though simple, complement the dal and kadhi perfectly. The spices are mellow, and dishes like the Gujarati kadhi—often considered the benchmark for judging a Gujarati thali—are consistently prepared to perfection.

Tucked away in the bustling lanes of Kalbadevi, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a living piece of Mumbai’s culinary soul, serving authentic Gujarati thalis for eight decades and counting. Known for its comforting and authentic thalis, the family-run restaurant has become a culinary landmark in Mumbai. Given the restaurant's popularity, solo diners should expect to share tables with others, a communal dining experience that reflects the spirit of sharing inherent in the thali tradition. I’ll share my dining experience at one of the most popular places for an authentic Gujarati thali in Mumbai. At Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, Atithi Devo Bhava isn’t just a saying — it’s how we serve every thali.Join us for a soulful Gujarati dining experience!

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Once inside, you’ll forget everything that you saw outside the restaurant. Not one of the most welcoming places, but we’re in for the food. Walk into a fairly old and dingy alley, and take a flight of narrow stairs to the first floor to reach the restaurant. Located right opposite a school, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay is in a cramped building off an extremely busy street.

When that building collapsed, he relocated to Kalbadevi and laid the foundation for what would become one of the city’s most beloved restaurants. Sree Thaker Bhojnalay has one of the most iconic thalis in Mumbai. Historic Gujarati thali eatery with an all-you-can-eat concept. Instead of the balanced, multi-layered festive-style dal with sweet, sour, spicy and astringent notes, this version felt like a simplified sweet dal made to please everyone. The thali was a mixed experience. I discovered some authentic dishes which I hadn't even heard of before..

• The Bhojanalay is where Alice Waters is reported to have eaten a jowar bhakri for the first time.
• Wheat is made from grains purchased by them and the vegetables too are brought fresh each day.
• Assorted breads – all the breads were delicious and they were served with a dollop of ghee.
• A pinch of salt that they added did wonders to the balance the unidirectional sweetness.

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Decades later, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay remains not just a restaurant, but a testament to perseverance, tradition, and the simple power of heartfelt hospitality. Among them is the prestigious Times Food & Nightlife Award, which Shree Thaker Bhojanalay received for the 19th time last year. Every item is prepared fresh each day and only in the required quantity, ensuring that there is minimal food wastage. Staples such as dal, shaak, rotli, rice, and farsan form the heart of the menu, each dish carrying the comforting taste of home-cooked food.