The best South Indian restaurants in Mumbai

What is it: A hole-in-the-wall restaurant known for rich Kerala cuisine

Why we love it: Sunny has been a favourite with locals, Malayali and non-Malayali alike, for their vast selection of Kerala meals, ranging from spicy to umami. Their appams are always fluffy and go as well with Kadala (horsegram) curry as they do with the prawns masala fry. 

Time Out tip: They have a new payasam every day of the week, so be sure to ask for it even if you haven't ordered a thali. Wednesdays and weekends are usually when they serve the best ones.

Price: ₹800 for two

Opening hours: Wed-Mon, Tues closed. 12pm-11pm. 

Address: Shop No. 43, Shell Colony Rd, Shramjivi Nagar, Postal Colony, Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400071

What is it: A Kerala toddy shop-inspired restaurant serving stiff drinks

Why we love it: Kerala Quarters has a nice list of boozy odes to the state, but this place really shines when it comes to eclectic pairings. Start with the array of sweet, spicy and sour bar snacks. The dates and beetroot achaar and acchappam (sweet rice and milk cookies) are worth trying even if you're not drinking. The spiciest dishes on the menu, though, form Kerala Quarters' strong points. They keep adding new preparation styles to introduce their patrons to the vast, zesty parts of Kerala cuisine – toddy shop meals that are partly comfort food and partly meant to make you reach for a glass of cooling toddy.

Price: ₹2,000 without alcohol

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs and Sun: 11am-3.30pm, 6pm-11pm; Fri-Sat: 11am-3.30pm, 6pm-11.30pm

Address: Ground Floor, Plot 126, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Senapati Bapat Pawar Marg, opposite Zane's Cafe, Lower Parel, Mumbai

What is it: A restaurant serving dishes from the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin kitchen, presenting a mellow interpretation of the Konkan coast's most revered ingredients

Why we love it: This place is a rare chance at trying GSB cuisine in Mumbai – mellower flavours than most dishes from the Konkan coast but still a sensorial delight. The fish is always fresh here and the vegetarian dishes are stir-fried to crunchy perfection. The GSB tirfal fish curry is aromatic and goes amazingly well with Bangda (a type of mackerel), while the ghee roast is unlike any you'll have in the city. Small and always packed with smiling faces, there's a sense of being welcomed into a community when you eat here.

Time Out tip: The waiters are very patient with all cuisine-related queries and will even serve you a tiny bowl of rice and gravy if you're curious about any of the dishes.

Price: ₹1,000-1,200 for two

Opening hours: Mon-Sun. 12pm-4pm, 7.30pm-11.30pm.

Address: Worli - 31A, Ambalal Chawl, Dr Annie Besant Rd, Worli Naka, Bhim Nagar, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400018

Kemps Corner - Nirmal Nivas 2, August Kranti Rd, Kemps Corner, Tardeo, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400026

What is it: A quick service, no-frills Udupi restaurant that serves piping hot vegetarian meals 

Why we love it: There’s one too many restaurants with the same name in the vicinity but you know you’re at the right one when you see the queue outside that starts at 7.30am. Walk in post 11am to try Udupi staples beyond breakfast, including the crumbly on the outside, soft on the inside buns, and a warm and tangy bisi bele bhaat with crunchy papad. The menu changes everyday, but you’ll never go wrong if you order one of their plain crisp dosas, a strong filter coffee and their aromatic pineapple sheera. 

Price: ₹300 for two

Opening hours: Mon-Sun. 5am-9pm.

Address: Shop 3-6 ground floor, Jamnadas Mansion, Laxmi Narayan Ln, Matunga, Matunga East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400019

What is it: A darshini-style café serving South Indian breakfast staples 

Why we love it: From the lightly spiced potato palya served in spongy buttery Davengere dosas (the benne masala dosa is best among them) to the strong filter coffee (hot or cold, both equally good), crisp medu vadas and fluffy buttery benne idlis, the fare is designed to make you fall in love with Karnataka tiffin house fare. While it’s a self-serve café in one of the busiest parts of the city, the community seating and sunlight streaming in through a skylight makes KTR feel a lot like a quiet oasis inside the courtyard of a home.The temple puliyogare is a delicious must-try rice dish, no matter what time of the day you visit.

Price: ₹400 for two

Opening hours: Mon-Sun. 7am-3.30pm, 5-11.30pm.                          

Address: Shop no. 202, Society, JP Rd, Aram Nagar Part 2, Machlimar, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400061

What is it: A snug café perfect for catching up over an all-day breakfast

Why we love it: In a haze of benne dosa spots that insist on keeping lines moving, Anjaneyar expects you to sit back to properly enjoy the rich, ghee-laden South Indian breakfast fare. With muted mud and lime-laced interiors, this cafè started by friends is designed to be a non-intrusive gathering place. The benne masala dosa is perfectly crisp on the edges, and the filter coffee is strong, but come here with friends for the banana sheera, which is sweet and heavily doused with ghee.

Price: ₹500 for two

Opening hours: Mon-Sun. 8am-3pm, 5pm-10pm.

Address: Gargi Complex, Waman Tukaram Patil Marg, near Shatabdi Hospital, Patil Wadi, Govandi East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400088

What is it: Typical Mangalorean food made in a homely style, with a full bar

Why we love it: Originally meant to feed labourers working in the area, Harish Lunch meals heal the homesick. The neer dosas melt in your mouth and the fish curry can be gulped down in spoonfuls. The prawns gassi goes well with Mangalorean boiled rice, and the chicken omelette and prawns oil fry are great accompaniments to a cold beer. But if you really want to try something special, give the lep (tongue sole) fish fry a go. It’s a rare find in Mumbai, and the tail’s a nice bit of crunch.

Price: ₹400 for two without alcohol

Opening hours: Mon-Sun. 11am-11.30pm.

Address: 13A, SA Brelvi Road, Parsi Bazaar St, opposite Fire Brigade, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

What is it: Tamil comfort cuisine paired with great cocktails

Why we love it: Tanjore Tiffin Room meals start with two plates full of tasters that help you experience the marvellousness of Tamil flavours. There's tangy, brothy and creamy gravies that can be paired with varied rice dishes and vegetables until you find the flavours that bring it home for you. I can't think of a better introduction to a cuisine. The ambience across all their restaurants is rustic, maximalist, dimly lit to keep the vibe genteel. Over six years, it's been hard to find one dish we didn't like, but the prawn sundal, buff pepper fry, and jackfruit cutlets are all great starters. The thailavaa with its rum base is great with any of the appetizers. All the mains are sumptuous. Simply put, you'll always find something new to come back for.

Time Out tip: Reserve well beforehand, especially at the Khar outpost.

Price: ₹2,000 for two without alcohol

Opening hours: Mon-Sun. 12pm-12.30am.

Addresses: In Versova, Khar, and Goregaon

What is it: A restaurant with Goan shack sensibilities and excellent Mangalorean seafood

Why we love it: On a not-too-humid day in Mumbai, the outdoor seating at Malhar Tribes is the perfect place to meet up with family and friends. The vibe is easygoing and the menu is inspired by both Goan shack and traditional western coast cuisine. Besides the fish fry, the best dishes here are Mangalorean. The clams Mangalorean sukka and the pomfret pulimunchi are great with some neer dosa, and so is the tulunadu kori rotti. It's hard to find a gadbad this good outside of Mangalore.

Price: ₹2,500 for two

Opening hours: Mon-Sun.11am-1.30am.

Address: Gamdevi, Marol, Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400059