Tanvi Chakravarty

April has always been a coveted month for me. A light at the end of the tunnel. It’s the last month before summer officially begins. Mango season is arriving. The torture that is Mumbai's May heat is yet to arrive. No rain, clear skies and lots of sunshine. And there's another reason why my disposition is annoyingly cheerful this month – just look at how many things there are to do! April kicks off with some incredibly cool art festivals, a very boozy cocktail festival (right up my alley) and a brand new event that has piqued my curiosity and should yours as well – Bombil Bassline, a 140bpm exclusive night featuring crazy cool local artists. Speaking of, Mumbai sure knows how to celebrate as an underground niche and mainstream international stage. Calvin Harris finally touches down in the city this month. The hype has been building for many months now. The same goes for Circoloco, which makes its India debut on the 19th.  We’ve also got some more refined and classical concerts at the NMACC Grand Theatre this month with Oscar nominated film composer and pianist Max Richter and Kathak-contemporary duo Aditi Mangaldas & Aakash Odedra. The Royal Opera House is also hosting a stirring night of Sufi music by the KM Sufi Ensemble. For old school rock lovers, legends Scorpions close out the month with their Mumbai show of the Coming Home Tour.  The other fun bit: IPL in full swing, with an exciting home match in our dearly beloved Wankhede Stadium! Lil Flea also returns this month fo

A mid-week month switch is exactly what we need as April quietly creeps up on us this Wednesday. March may be mentally over in your heads but there's still a couple things happening in the last two days of the month: you've got Mumbai Art Fiesta as the perfect transition from spring to summer, and Anubhav Singh Bassi putting a comedic end to the month.  Opening the new month, you've got the World Class festival, and what better way to kickstart April than an excuse to drink cocktails? Bombill Bassline is another exciting event for electronic UK garage and 140 bpm lovers – bassheads unite!  Overall a great end to a busy, busy month and sweltering hot welcome to April!

March is finally here, marking the arrival of a very Mumbai spring – aka sweltering heat and humidity. But the good news is that March somehow manages to outperform February, with an exciting lineup of events, plays, concerts, and lots and lots of music festivals.  It’s safe to say that after years of neglect, artists are finally recognising India as a major international stage. Tap into the electronic music scene, with gigs and acts like Keinemusik, and Anjunadeep to look forward to.  Apart from a ton of international artists performing this month, we also have some of India’s biggest names on tour. You can see Yo Yo Honey Singh, Sonu Nigam and Shreya Goshal live in Mumbai. March is also an ode to the growing rap and hip-hop culture in the city, with not one but two music festivals showcasing the country’s best rap and hip-hop acts.  If there’s a theme for March, it’s certainly enjoying the open air, drink in hand, and enjoying a live musical act. It’s an official end to 22-degree winters (freezing for Mumbaikars), and we’re kicking off a month less left until summer with a bang. Here’s everything exciting happening this March. 

February’s usually when the productivity panic starts to kick in. After all, it’s time for the post-January festive blues to come to an end. Never mind about the New Year resolutions that never made it past the 30-day trial run. Year after year, Mumbai runs on high-speed autopilot through January, what with Lollapalooza, but February is just as action-packed this year, and here’s everything worth checking out. It’s perhaps one of the best months for music: we have the Symphony Orchestra of India’s Spring 2026 season for western classical music lovers; John Mayer performing live; not one but TWO jazz festivals, among other really cool DJ sets, folk recitals, and of course, the Mahindra Blues Fest returning to Mumbai. Tickets are selling out faster than Labubus, but fear not if you don’t get ‘em – there’s plenty of other live music that Mumbai has on offer through the year. It’s also a big time for the artsy-fartsy. We’re kicking off the month with the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival from January 31 to February, followed by the annual All India Arts Exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery and exciting exhibits coming to NGMA, CSMVS and the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum.Theatre’s alive and kicking: a slew of shows are scheduled, from the Primetime Theatre Company to Spoken Fest 2026. Stand-up comedy shows through the month, of course, and how could I mention stand-up without talking about the BIG TICKET ITEM! Gianmarco Soresi’s touring India for the first time! Another big event to top it all of

The CSMVS is Mumbai’s biggest, and arguably, the best museum. The grand, massive Indo-Saracenic building – built in 1922 and now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – as impressive as what’s housed inside, with a unique blend of Indian, Persian and British architectural styles that echo the rest of Mumbai.  Visiting Mumbai and don’t have a plan or friends to catch up with? The museum boasts a mammoth collection of over 70,000 works, and therefore makes it my personal pick for the loiterers of the museum world. You could easily spend the better part of a day here pondering, sketching, or journaling.  Displays inside cover the broader history of the subcontinent through a largely archaeological lens: the terracotta structures of the ancient Harappan civilisation; Buddhist sculptures dating 1-500 CE showcasing early Chinese and Japanese society; impressively preserved sculptures dating to early Hindu dynasties. Other displays include Victorian paintings, rare textiles, and a Natural History gallery showcasing taxidermied birds and mammals. What’s more – this is a museum that one can keep returning to, because they also host a series of highly curated exhibitions throughout the year, mostly focused on explorations of Indian art, culture, identity and history through various mediums.  Time Out tip: Make sure to save time for a quick detour within the grounds to check out the Exhibition Gallery within the Children’s Museum, often showcasing acclaimed artist works. Also enclosed

After an Instagram announcement back in February, followed by much anticipation and an unfortunately timed LPS gas shortage, the highly popular Benne Dosa is briefly powering their brand new Chowpatty outlet up for visits at last, and we're sat. The announcement came via a new Instagram post saying, 'We are (finally) opening doors at Chowpatty for limited hours this weekend.' Here's everything you need to know about the soft launch.  Despite the gas shortage, the entire menu will be served until stock runs out. There are no reservations available so be sure to get there early – the hype for Benne is real!  Benne Dosa first became hugely popular after first opening in Bandra, known for serving Karnataka darshini style benne dosas, idlis, filter coffee and more. After lines quickly formed around the block for the tiny dosa corner in Bandra, Benne quickly expanded to Juhu and subsequently a Delhi location before finally crossing the sea link to Chowpatty in South Mumbai. It's truly a marvel how a simple Bengaluru style buttery dosa has burgeoned into a joint that has people waiting for hours. Benne has even become a celebrity favourite – the official account posted a cryptic photo of the Chowpatty staff with actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, teasing a potential collaboration of some sort.   Further updates as to whether the joint will remain after the weekend will be revealed on Monday, March 30. Stay tuned! Timings: March 27-29, 3pm-11.30pm.Price: ₹200-₹400 per person

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing Argentinian food, chances are that you can't stop thinking about it. India is in serious want of the meat-forward, grill flame flavours of the cuisine, and we’re finally in luck. Hailing all the way from Argentina is Chef Javier Rodriguez, bringing an exclusive experience from his restaurant El Papagayo – widely considered one of the best in the world.  El Papagayo, located in a narrow repurposed alley in Córdoba, focuses on 12-course tasting menus crafted from local ingredients. Equally renowned is the wine, which is derived from Argentine terroir techniques.  Chef Rodriguez is bringing a taste of that experience to India for the first time, with a seven-course wine-paired tasting menu celebrating the flavours of Northern Argentina. The meal will be hosted in Mumbai and Delhi in April, and makes for a perfect date night or celebratory dinner. Tickets are available on District.  Price: ₹8,500 onwards  Mumbai Date: Wednesday, April 8, 8pm onwards Address: Romanos, JW Mariott Sahar, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Area, Vile Parle, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400099 Delhi Date: Saturday, April 11, 8pm onwards Address: Asset 10, Northern Access Rd, Aerocity, Hospitality District, Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, Delhi 110037

The international music festival NO ART, headlined by Dutch DJ ANOTR, was scheduled to make its India debut this Sunday, March 21, at Bayview Lawns in Mumbai. However, the event has now been postponed, with new dates announced earlier this week. The update, shared on March 17, pushes the festival to November 2026 – but there’s still some confusion around the exact date. While the official website lists November 25, ticketing platforms like District and the festival’s Instagram presence suggest November 15 instead. Details around the venue remain unclear as well. The Instagram handle @noartmusic currently lists the location as 'TBA', while ticketing platforms continue to show Bayview Lawns as the venue. There has been no official explanation for the postponement. However, the shift comes amid a series of disruptions to international acts planning shows in India. Kanye West recently postponed his Delhi show – part of his debut tour in India – citing 'the prevailing geopolitical situation and regional tensions'. There are also unconfirmed reports that Shakira may push her upcoming India tour to later this year. While multiple outlets have reported a delay, there has been no official confirmation so far, and tickets continue to be sold for the original April dates on platforms like District. For now, if you’re planning to catch an international act in India, it may be worth keeping an eye out for further updates – delays and reschedules appear to be increasingly likely.

All the Bandra boys and girls love and know Mokai Cafe. The Asian-inspired cafe quickly went viral on Instagram after opening in 2024 for their artisanal coffee and matcha (8 varieties), Japanese-inspired eggs, brunch and more. Mokai has also become a celebrity hotspot, especially when it comes to its marketing on Instagram. The account has multiple skits featuring cameos from celebrities and influencers like Shanaya Kapoor, Orry, Sanya Malhotra and more.  The cafe, however, closed its doors at their Chapel Road location on March 13, announcing on their Instagram that Mokai 2.0 reopens at their new location in Pali Hill on March 19. The new location promises to be bigger, better, and a more refined take on the cafe. Is this one going to be as Instagrammable as the previous? We're going to have to wait and see.  Address: Mokai, 600, 601, 602, Hill Crest Building, Ground floor, Ambedkar Road, Pali Naka, Pali Hill, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra Price: ₹1,400 - ₹1,500 for two people Timings: TBA but usually daily, 8am-11.30pm 

The city’s favourite restaurants aren’t safe from the ongoing LPG gas shortage. Over the past week, Mumbai has seen a number of closures and suspended kitchen operations due to the crisis, with the latest being the iconic Gujarati thali joint Shree Thaker Bhojanalay. For nearly a century, the Kalbadevi eatery has been serving affordable, delicious thalis, cementing itself as a multi-generational local gem, and even earning a spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants website. On March 16, the restaurant took to Instagram to announce a temporary closure, saying, 'Due to a shortage of LPG gas, our kitchen operations have been affected. Therefore, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay will remain closed on Monday, 16th March, 2026 (full day).' The announcement thanked customers for their support and understanding, adding, 'We will keep you updated regarding operations for 17th March 2026 soon.' No further updates have been posted since. Others bite the dust It appears that Shree Thaker is not the only local favourite operating apprehensively on a day-to-day basis. Swati Snacks is currently running at limited capacity, with its menu cut down to roughly 30% of its original offerings. Ram Ashraya, one of Mumbai’s most popular South Indian eateries, had to turn customers away last week when its gas supply ran out – a blow to regulars who have been starting their days there for decades. Benne Dosa, another hugely popular dosa spot, has also announced via social media that some menu items can no longe

Mumbai has officially topped the list of cities building the most skyscrapers in the world. Data from the Skyscraper Center as of late 2025 shows that, out of 26 cities, Mumbai currently has the highest number of skyscrapers (classified as over 150m or 492 ft) under construction. The city surpasses global heavyweights like Tokyo (No. 11 with 29 skyscrapers), Dubai (No. 7 with over 38), Shenzhen (No. 6 with 73), and New York City (No. 24 with 11). With more than 200 skyscrapers currently under construction, Mumbai is now the most rapidly developing high-rise city in the world. What’s more – this figure doesn’t even account for neighbouring urban centres like Thane and Navi Mumbai, which rank independently on the list. Thane sits at No. 5 with over 79 skyscrapers under construction, while Navi Mumbai comes in at No. 12 with 27 high-rises underway. Overall, Indian cities occupy five of the 26 spots on the list, with Mumbai at the top, followed by Gurugram with 181 buildings and Hyderabad at No. 3 with 170. China, meanwhile, has the highest representation, with 13 cities featured. While some may see this as a sign of rapid urban and industrial growth, others point to the strain such development places on infrastructure, which is reflected in rising AQI levels, congestion, and soaring real estate prices. Either way, Mumbai’s position at the top underscores its status as one of the world’s fastest-evolving metropolitan cities.

After a legacy of serving hungry Mithibai, NM and NMIMS students and locals alike since 1978, Vile Parle’s legendary Anand Stall was – unbelievably and sadly – demolished on Sunday, March 8. The fast food joint was a famed local late night haunt for simple yet delicious dosas and buttery vada pavs, selling almost 500 daily. The unassuming stall was demolished by the BMC as part of broader urban development plans to vacate the lane, specifically to make room for new pedestrian skywalk infrastructure. Despite outrage flooding the comments of an Instagram video documenting the demolition, the owners quickly took to their official social media account to clarify that the demolition happened on the basis of a ‘mutual understanding’. The comment also offered a glimmer of hope, stating that they will 'soon be relocated nearby', so locals remain optimistic that the 40+ year old culinary institution will be back up and running in no time.   Anand Stall consistently takes the cake for having some of the best vada pav in the city, which is no small claim. Apart from that, the eatery also served over 64 varieties of dosas, frankies and sandwiches late into the night. It’s no wonder the place quickly became one of the most beloved food stalls in the city.  Its demolition truly marks a changing of the guard for the broader culture and community of iconic street food stalls in the city. Anand Stall isn't the first, and may not be the last to close its shutters due to rapid urban expansion a

If you didn’t manage to snag tickets to the Shakira concert in Mumbai, you’re in luck. The popstar has announced that she’s adding a second Mumbai date to her Feeding India 2026 tour due to ‘unprecedented demand’, much to fans’ joyous disbelief. The Colombian singer was already set to perform in Mumbai on April 10, followed by a Delhi show on April 15. Now, a third date has been added: a second Mumbai concert at the Mahalaxmi Race Course on April 11, giving fans another shot at seeing the global pop icon live. And that’s not the only thing fuelling excitement. Word has it that Punjabi pop superstar Diljit Dosanjh could be joining her on stage. While there hasn’t been any official confirmation yet on whether this is actually happening — or even which city it might take place in — the internet is already buzzing with anticipation. Well, we’re hoping that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. The world doesn’t yet know how badly it needs a Lover x Hips Don’t Lie mashup. Tickets are yet to go on sale on District, StubHub and ViaGoGo, so fans should keep their eyes peeled for further announcements. The concerts will mark Shakira’s return to India for the first time in 19 years.

I’d think twice before stepping out in the city’s afternoon heat this week. The India Meteorological Department has issued its second yellow heatwave warning for parts of Mumbai, as well as Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri and Raigad. On March 5, temperatures in Mumbai climbed to 38.9°C – that's almost 6 degrees above normal. Today’s forecast pushes that even higher, with the mercury expected to touch 40°C and nighttime lows around 24°C. If you’re planning to be out and about, especially in the afternoon, caution is advised. Heatwave warnings are issued by the IMD when temperatures breach 37°C for more than two consecutive days. And it looks like the city will stay above that mark for a while – highs this week are expected to hover above the threshold at least until Friday, March 13. The current yellow alert is in place from March 9 to March 11. Add to that Mumbai’s AQI, which has already climbed to 142 this week after only a couple of days’ respite, and you’ve got the makings of hazy skies, lingering smog and a not-so-friendly flu season. If you can, plan outdoor errands early or late in the day, and keep that water bottle handy.

Bengaluru’s iconic Rameshwaram Café is set to open in Churchgate soon according to an announcement via their official Instagram. After four outlets in Bengaluru, and others in Pune and Hyderabad, the restaurant is finally crossing over to Mumbai. This establishment quickly became synonymous with quick service style standing eateries (or darshinis) after opening in 2021. Interesting to note: the Mumbai outlet, unlike others, will offer seated tables as opposed to just the standing tables. Rameshwaram is renowned for their rapid service, high quality food and attention to hygiene. Mumbaikars no longer have to travel to Bengaluru for authentic benne dosas, Rameshwaram's famed ghee podi idli and of course, filter coffee – specifically their bestseller filter coffee soft serve. Time Out tip: If you’re planning a visit for opening weekend, be prepared for some long queues – Rameshwaram doesn’t take reservations.  Address: Cambata Building, 42, Maharshi Karve Rd, Churchgate, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400020

If you’re worried the new year is already flying by, don’t. It’s actually just starting, and the hub for the Lunar New Year celebrations are at Mumbai’s oldest and only Chinese temple, the Kwan Kung Temple.  Located in Mazgaon, home to remnants of a once thriving China Town, the 150-year-old temple is celebrating Lunar New Year this year from February 17 to March 15. Late at night is when the real celebrations start – around 10pm or so. You can celebrate the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new lunar year with a lively community, fireworks, candle burning and traditional dragon dances. While the celebrations are free, for a small fee of ₹80-100, you can burn some incense and last year’s negative energy away. You can also pick out your fortune to see what the year of the fire horse (the first one in 60 years) will bring you. Don’t forget to ring the bell and hit the drum three times for good luck! Date: February 17-March 3, 10pm onwards Address: Kwan Kung Temple, Bramhadev Khot Marg, Dockyard, Wadi Bandar, Mazgaon, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400010

Your valentine isn’t the only one being spoiled this weekend - so is Mumbai, with a ton of concerts, festivals, stand-up shows and more. For music lovers especially, your toughest V-Day conversation with your loved one should be ‘which concert should we attend?’  There’s the obviously romantic stuff, and then there are experiences that warrant sharing with a loved one. Who doesn’t love canoodling during a movie screening? Anuv Jain | Dastakhat India tour Mumbai’s the only city on the Anuv Jain tour that’s getting special treatment – an actual Valentine’s Day show. This one really IS for the situationship era. Tickets for the Dastakhat World Tour India Leg are selling out fast so be sure to grab tickets while you can. Live serenades of his hits, like Baarishein, Jo Tum Mere Ho and Husn are perfect gifts for the occasion.  Date: February 14 Price: ₹2,500 onwards Address: The Dome NSCI, SVP Stadium, Lala Lajpatrai Marg, Lotus Colony, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400018 Sanam | India tour ANOTHER Valentine’s Day treat? Known for their pop-rock hits and renditions of Bollywood classics, Indian band Sanam are making their way to Mumbai. Tickets available but selling like hot cakes. Date: February 14 Price: ₹2,999 onwards Address: South Sky, Jio World Drive, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051 Mahindra Blues Fest  Fourteen years on, tickets are still filling fast for the Mahindra Blues Fest. It's Asia’s largest Blues festival, held this time at Mehboob Studio