Chatkazz is a culinary gem that delivers a truly special eating experience. The term means "spicy and delicious", and that's exactly what you're bound to find. The restaurant specialises in street food and farsan (salty snacks) that'll transport you directly to India. Order off the Mumbai Roadside Special menu to try the best of the bunch — think pani puri (crispy puffed bread stuffed with black chana and potato, served with tamarind chutney), pav bhaji (cheese-topped spicy vegetable curry served with onion salad and papadam) and paneer tava pulav (paneer and veggie fried rice served with raita and papadam). Or if you're feeling festive, order in a group to get a bit of everything and share it around.
And don't stop at mains. Chatkazz's take on traditional Mumbai roadside sweets span from traditional to westernised. Take your pick from gajar halwa, made with carrots and dried fruit; gulab jamun, deep-fried balls made from milk solids soaked in sugar syrup; ras malai, a small flat paneer cake soaked in sweetened milk and nuts; and shrikhand kesar elaichi, a sweetened creamy curd with saffron and cardamom.
If you're craving something less traditional, opt for chocolate pizza or a sizzling brownie, both served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate syrup, or one of the house-made pastries. Check out the sister venue at Bella Vista for more of the same eclectic and vibrant takes on modern Indian cuisine.
Cassandra Hannagan
Top image: Nikki To