Reviews of Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, Kalbadevi, Mumbai

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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Masque is a 10-course experience that begins the moment you step into the elegant dining room housed in a former 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.

Simple and wholesome food

One of the oldest thali restaurants in the city, Shree Thakker Bhokan… Sweets too were a weekly affair at the time, but gradually began to be served every day. Frequented by Marwari and Gujarati traders craving home-cooked food in the 1940s, this eatery today welcomes a wide range of patrons, from tourists and local families to A-list celebrities and internationally acclaimed chefs.

At Rs 600 per thali some visitors find the pricing steep compared to similar establishments in Gujarat itself, where comparable quality thalis might be available for half the price. The restaurant has welcomed distinguished visitors over the years, including American chef Alice Waters, who reportedly tasted jowar bhakri (a millet flatbread) here for the first time. Walking through the cramped alley and up a flight of narrow stairs to reach this first-floor eatery might not immediately suggest a premier dining destination.

The revised rates are 1000 per person on weekends and 700 on week days. ❤️After hearing so much about the restaurant and watching countless videos, and now after finally experiencing it, I truly…read more Actually, we wanted to have Undhiyo as that's a regular on their thali during winters. This was my first visit to Shree Thaker Bhojanalay (Since 1945). Shree Thaker Bhojanalay reviews/ Each dish reflects the timeless flavors that have kept customers returning for generations.

Once inside, you’ll forget everything that you saw outside the Shree Thaker Bhojanalay 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.

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.

Despite this, Gautam Purohit has resisted adding frills, maintaining honest, authentic food as it has been over the decades. Each time, the experience was consistently excellent. Of course, nothing can match the experience of eating in that colourful, no-frills eatery. Crunchy, airy, soft, moist farsan, colourful piquant chutneys, silken kadhi, dal-baati-churma, and more.

• Perfect assortment of delicious food in one platter.
• Dubbed to be the best Gujarati thali in Mumbai, I’ve been longing to visit it since I first saw it on my Twitter timelines.
• For over seven decades, this iconic dining destination in Mumbai has been serving up soulful thalis that reflect the warmth, variety, and generosity of Gujarat.

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.

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..