The iconic Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF) is back in Mumbai. With the streets teeming with art, music and culture, there’s going to be ample to see and do in the neighbourhood. For when the hunger pangs arise in the midst of all the exploration, we've rounded up a list of where you can grab a fix in Kala Ghoda. Start your day with a sumptuous breakfast, divide your day between bun maska sessions at local cafes and as the sun sets, celebrate a day well spent with tipples and nibbles at some of the best restaurants and bars in the city. ✨Where to eat in Kala Ghoda 👉The NutcrackerA bohemian little space serving a popular breakfast menu and yummy desserts. Indulge in comfort favourites such as pancakes with maple syrup, or sample the black bean burger and myriad egg dishes. 👉Kala Ghoda Cafe There’s more to this Kala Ghoda institution than meets the eye. Enter, and you’ll find three individualistic sections—a tiny cafe out front, a larger dining space and a cosy wine bar. Try the chicken pot pie or KGC chef’s salad, espresso coffees and cold pressed juices, or head to the end of the space for a glass of wine behind velvet drapes. 👉Sequel Sequel is the farm-to-fork spot for those who want to eat without a thought. All dishes served here have been created by chef owner Vanika Choudhary, who also runs Noon in BKC. The menu is gluten-free, additive-free and refined sugar free, right from the amaranth porridge and scrambled eggs with pumpkin seed sourdough to the black buckwheat crepes. Vegan-friendly options are available as well. 👉145 Kala GhodaThe quirky décor of this popular chain of restaurants will keep you busy while the food arrives. The highlight of the space is a ceiling installation with everything from umbrellas to buckets and kettles. There’s nothing you won’t find here—north Indian, Chinese, American, Mexican, and pan-Asian cuisines, freaky milkshakes for some sugar rush and cocktails for a stronger buzz. If you’re looking to shake a leg after a day of wandering, this is the place to be. 👉The Irish HouseWith wooden interiors, rock music and comfort food, this watering hole is a popular after-hours hangout spot. The bar menu offers everything you can think of from liqueurs to tap beer, cocktails and Indian as well as imported spirits. Fun fact: The Irish House stands where Wayside Inn used to be. The legendary cafe was a haunt of politicians and writers such as BR Ambedkar and poet Arun Kolatkar. 👉KhyberKhyber is a piece of art in itself, with rugged brick walls contrasted by vivid murals. The restaurant is one of Mumbai’s longest serving fine-dining establishments, and boasts a north Indian menu with dishes such as tandoori raan, nalli nihari and mirchi salan. 👉La Folie Du ChocolatThis patisserie by Le Cordon Bleu graduate Sanjana Patel is for those who believe in dessert dinners. Savour crafty chocolates and modernistic renditions of classic French desserts, served with a wide range of teas and bean-to-cup coffees. 👉Trishna Head here for good vibes and seafood only. The elegant old favourite does a mean butter garlic crab and offers a variety of bites such as Hyderabadi pomfret, squid and prawns. 👉Copper ChimneyCopper Chimney has called Mumbai home since 1972, and today has various branches across the city. When in Kala Ghoda, head here for a melange of north Indian and Mughlai flavours served in dishes such as Kabuli naan, boti dum biryani and palak kofta. 👉Burma BurmaWith Burma Burma, restaurateurs Chirag Chhajer and Ankit Gupta have set up little pockets of Burmese life across India. Visit this restaurant and tearoom in Mumbai and try soups and salads, khao suey, bubble teas and avocado ice cream among other things. 👉Ayub’s For a quick break on the go at KGAF, grab some kathi rolls and kebabs at this hole-in-the-wall eatery. There’s everything from chicken omelette rolls to bheja fry here, along with paneer and vegetable starters for vegetarians. 👉BakeHouse CaféAn old-worldly entrance with a wood-panelled door welcomes you to this quaint restaurant. Inside, the walls are decorated with vintage photos of the city. Food is classic, with the likes of scrambled eggs, homemade tacos and butter garlic prawns. 👉Carter's Blue Try Lebanese, Chinese and Mughlai fare at this artsy place. Kick the meal off with starters such as garlic zatar naan and falafel, and definitely pick something from the page-full of shawarmas. 👉Zen CafeDitch the din of the city for the quietude of this minimalistic space that’s a freelancer favourite. Sip on craft coffees, Callebaut hot chocolate and smoothies. Bite into artisanal bread, savour the crunch of salads sourced from the kitchen garden and pick food from a global menu featuring hand-rolled sushis, pastas and dishes from various cuisines of the world. 👉Chetana Thalis to swear by, an all-vegetarian menu and a full bar—there’s one too many reasons why this classic Kala Ghoda restaurant is a must visit. Head here for an unlimited dose of Maharasthrian, Gujarati and Rajasthani fare with sides of fiery red garlic chutney and chaas to gulp it all down. 👉La Pôz PlaceWooden ceilings, warm lighting and nude interiors popping with the colours of potted greenery welcome you to this European-style bistro. The all-vegetarian menu features Mediterranean dishes such as pan fried haloumi, hand rolled tortellini and quinoa and pinto bean patties. Backdoor, the bar behind the space, boasts a vibe of its own with a cosy setting and endless cocktails. 👉Plural Plural in Kala Ghoda serves contemporary southeast Asian fare. The beige and green interiors tie in with the vibe of the place, which is focussed on a locavore-friendly menu. The dishes feature flavours from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. There are vegan and Jain options available as well. 👉Americano The laid back vibe of this restaurant sits in stark contrast to the bustling art scene outdoors. Minimalist interiors let the food shine, all of which (from the sauces to the cheeses) is prepared in-house by the kitchen helmed by the very able chef Alex Sanchez. There are some snacky starters such as oven-roasted olives to go with your cocktail, while the main menu offers a host of American and Italian dishes. Book a spot in advance to reserve a table, or hang by the bar and rub shoulders with some of the city’s creative folk. 👉Rue du LibanHoused in a building that was once a Jewish synagogue's school, this restaurant boasts Art-Deco inspired interiors. Enjoy the Levantine fare in the restaurant’s lavish setting, or book a private 12-seat table for an intimate dining session. 👉Malido Café Inspired by the eponymous Parsi dessert, this new café in Kala Ghoda serves an eclectic mix of dishes with Parsi fare at its centre. With starters such as Bombay sandwich and avo toasts, and filling options such as berry pulao and risottos, this is the menu you pick up for a meal without much thought. 👉Knead by Moshe Shek Right above Ayub’s, you’ll find a Mediterranean café with amazing coffee run by chef Moshe Shek, the brains behind Moshe, the popular chain of restaurants that took the city by storm a decade ago. The beans are roasted in-house, most of the dishes are created by Shek himself and the pet-friendly space will even whip something up for your pooch. All the right reasons to be here, right? 👉 Cafe Military A classic Irani spot, Cafe Military will serve you the good ol’ keema pao and caramel custard. The wooden panels and bentwood chairs will take you back to another era. The place also serves one of the best akuris in Mumbai. 👉 Fountain SizzlersAn iconic eatery in South Mumbai, this restaurant specialises in sizzlers. The white-walled interiors and comfy seating only add to the charm of gorging on steaming patties and crinkle fries. Choose from vegetarian, meat and seafood sizzler options, or order something from the multi-cuisine menu of mains. Cre: cntraveller