The second most important thing after securing admission in your dream college, as we seniors know is having an idea of where the food joints are around college. The Wilson College Canteen is known as one of the best college canteens in Mumbai, yet the stomach wants what the stomach wants. So here, for you newbies and for all others who come to visit our beautiful college – A list of brilliant places to eat near Wilson College, Girgaum.
1. PARAMOUNT CAFE
When you are walking towards Wilson College from Charni Road station, you will find one of the oldest yet cheapest Irani cafe; Paramount Cafe. This café opens at 9 in the morning and shuts at 10 in the night. The menu has everything starting from breakfast to dinner, from vegetarian to non-vegetarian food. It’s available on Zomato.
The cost for two maximum is 100 to 200 rupees. Another thing adding to its charm is that; it’s just opposite the Chowpatty. The restaurant looks very retro from inside, giving you the 90s feel, completely covered with Marilyn Monroe and vintage Coco Cola posters.
It is known for masala Maggie, Butter chicken, Kheema pav, Mawa cake and Irani chai but due to the ban, they have stopped selling Maggie while it still can be seen on their menu. Because of the reasonably affordable tasty food, this café is very popular amongst the students. And since it is an Irani café, bun and maska shouldn’t be ignored.
The service is slow but worth the wait. The ambience is very quiet with the sound of local trains passing every two minutes, as the station is adjacent to this café. You will only love this place, when you have less to spend and a lot to talk.
Feel retro with Paramount!
2.KURRIES AND BURRIES
Are you a vegetarian? Then Kurries and Burries is one of the food cafés you shouldn’t miss. It’s bang opposite Starbucks, Girguam Chowpatty. It’s a very tiny place, which can accommodate not more than 18 people. The café looks very vibrant, with mirrors at every angle. It’s fully air-conditioned. This is a place, which brings a change in your daily Dal-Chawal life.
Other then Mexican and Asian cuisine, Burmese, Chinese and Thai cuisine can also be seen in their menu. Kung Pao potato, Paneer chilly wrap, Grilled cheese sandwich, Nachos with cheese sauce, veggie lite momos, Burmese fried rice and Mexican mex-wich is a must try.
Yes, it’s very much pocket friendly. The cost of two people maximum is 400 rupees. Their food is tummy filling and finger licking, as the quantity and the quality is really good. You wont really like everything on their menu, but other dishes are unique and worth it. The service can be slow at times, but the staff is extremely sweet.
And not to forget, they have a really good music collection, be it English or Hindi. They also give a student discount- don’t forget to take your college ID with you ! In fact if you review them on Zomato, you will get a free iced tea.
One of the most sold beverages here is iced tea. It opens at 12 in the afternoon and shuts at 11 at the night. This café which opened last year is a just a 2 minute walk from college. Visit this café for an unforgettable experience!
3.CAFE NEW YORK
This two-floored café is one of the oldest cafes of South Mumbai, which is mostly crowded. The ground floor is non-AC whereas the second floor is fully air-conditioned. It open at 7 in the morning and shuts at 1230 in the midnight. The reason for its popularity is not only because they serve alcohol at all times but for the delicious variety of food that they serve; especially Parsi and Italian food. This café is every student’s favorite café. You get vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian food here. There’s a wide range in their menu. Chilly chicken, chicken crispy, Veg Arrabiata, paneer chilli and keema with egg should not be missed.
The cost for two maximum can go up to 400 if you are having food and alcohol together. It is known to be a pocket-friendly café, where you can chill all day, but spend judiciously.
The ambience can change from peaceful to very noisy at times. This café is very crowded especially during football and cricket matches, as they have a small TV on the ground floor, a huge projector and around 3-4 television sets on the second floor. It is also known for the giant jukebox and old-fashioned tables, giving a Parsi feel.
The second floor is mostly like a bar, whereas the ground floor seems like a restaurant. There is good music but only on the second floor. They also have various offers on all the days of the week on alcohol especially on Mondays. This place is there for you on weekdays and weekends, in the morning, afternoon and night. Café New York is different in its own ancient way.
4. CRYSTAL
Any mention of eateries around Wilson College is incomplete without the inclusion of Crystal’s. It as much a part of the heritage of this part of town as it is part of our student life here at Wilson. Crystal is a comparatively small, comparatively shabby institution located a few hundred meters down the street from college gates. It is perhaps the closet appetite quencher as well as the cheapest.
The offerings at this landmark are a variety of vegetarian Indian dishes. A few favorites are Daal Makhani, Malai Kofta, Butter Naan Jeera Rice. If you’re in the market for desert, do not forget to order that famous Kheer, that can be seen being cooked in a huge pot right outside the food joint.
If you are in the area, do not miss this place (unless it’s a Monday, in which case come back any other day of the week). The food is delicious and the whole affair is easy on the wallet. A meal for two will come anywhere between 150-300 Rupees depending on how much you order.
5. AMAN CHAIWALA
Understandably, it is not a food vendor. But Aman Chaiwala situated in the lane behind college, is admittedly (by numerous Wilson students) as the best chai you can get your hands on in the vicinity. They make fresh batches every 15 min or so, at least in the mornings. The chai is always warm, with just the right amount of sugar, milk and ginger. If you are so inclined, you can even splurge on a snack while sipping on hot tea. The tea itself is 6 Rupees a cup, while the Sandwiches, Frankies, and Dabelis from their respective vendors come in at around 30-50 Rupees.
6.MAMMA MIA
If you are in the mood to upgrade a little from regular college lunch food, Mamma Mia provides for a great option. It’s neatly tucked away in a bend in the same lane as the Starbucks and Kurries and Burries next to college. Keep walking in the lane, past the aforementioned places, cross the street that comes up. A little bit farther, and will find the primary Italian restaurant on your right.
The place opens up around 11 everyday, and the cost is about 100-150 per person. The menu is a mix of Italian and Chinese food. Both are good, although a lot of people are partial to the Italian/American choices. You can choose from pastas, burgers, pizzas, soups, noodles and rice.
The Margherita pizzas are nice (the beef steak used to be a favorite, but has been discontinued recently) as is the Brown Davy Burger. The Brunch special is worth a mention, offering garlic bread, a roll, a slider, and fries for about 200 Rupees.
Bonus Mentions :
7. Shiv Sagar Pav Bhaji and Juice : Although most students find the Pav Bhaji and juices here extremely expensive , Shiv Sagar still has some of the best Pav Bhaji in Mumbai, but at 90 rupees a plate.
8. Starbucks Coffee : It really is almost attached to the college compound and is always filled with students downing some much needed coffee and doing their projects.
9. Cafe Coffee Day : Another favourite for having some coffee while discussing projects and other news, it is on the way back to Charni road station.
10. Gola Mount : For those days when you are craving some good old school gola, Gola mount gets your wish granted with good hygienic golas.
11. The Kulfi walas near Shiv Sagar.
12. Baskin Robbins : Your favourite ice creams found their way here too !
13. Heroes : A little farther away from the college and towards Grant road, you can ask around for some good food at Heroes, known for their chicken crispy that comes in unimaginable quantity.
14. Govinda’s : The restaurant, belonging to ISCKON Girgaum is here as well, even though on the slightly more expensive end of things.
15. All the fruit vendors, Dabeli guys and great Sandwich guys at our very own Khao galli behind college!
We hope you have a great time at college and that you never go a day hungry without knowing where to eat!
Bon Apetit, lovelies!
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