This district consists of the Bandra (queen of the suburbs), Khar, Santa cruz, Juhu, Vile Parle, and Andheri suburbs of Bombay. The boundaries that this article draws for the Western Suburbs are somewhat artificial. Most people would include the suburbs of Northwest Bombay among the Western Suburbs, but that would cover too big a region.

Understand

These are some of the oldest suburbs of the city. In particular, Bandra has existed as a separate town almost as long as Bombay. The area started its history as a bunch of fishing villages. Then it became home to a Christian population which set up its churches, orphanages, and monasteries. It later turned into a place where Bombay's beautiful people live, a status that it holds to this day. It is a very cosmopolitan place and does not have the rundown look of the other suburbs. It still has a lot of old bungalows.

Bombay's only river, the Mithi, flows through this area and also serves as a sewage line. In the 80s, a well-intentioned attempt to set up a new downtown away from Nariman Point resulted in the establishment of the Bandra-Kurla complex. Most of the larger financial banks and companies moved to this place. This is a nice-looking place, but it was built by filling up the mouth of the Mithi river. This is said to have worsened the impact of the worst flood in the city's history on 26 July 2005.

Bombay's airport is located in this district. Most hotels are located here. Many software and BPO companies have their offices in and around SEEPZ, Andheri. The western suburbs also boast of the Juhu beach which was cleaned and cleared of hawkers in 2006.

Get in

This area is served by the Western Railway stations of Bandra, Santa cruz, Vile Parle, and Andheri. Bandra and Andheri are important junctions. The western harbour line terminates at Andheri. Bandra is also a terminus for long-distance trains.

The Western express highway runs through the district, as does SV road (Swami Vivekananda Road). When it is built, the Bandra-Worli sea-link will provide high-speed connectivity from the downtown area. Connectivity from the Central Suburbs is, unfortunately poor. Getting in from Sion or Kurla is a pain, but with the development of the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli link road ("JVLR"). It is now a breeze getting in via Powai.

Bus services are very good. Generally, BEST's "200 & 300" series serves the Western suburbs.

See

  • Bandra Fort (or Fort Aguada). t the tip of the Bandra promontary. Built by the Portuguese in 1640 to mark the southernmost tip of the mainland (i.e. Salsette island). Not much remains.

  • Bandstand. and's end, Bandra.
  • Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount (or Mount Mary's Basilica) . ount Mary Church Road, Bandra west. This is probably Mumbai's most famous church. A fair held annually on the Sunday following September 8 (which is the Feast of Our Lady of the Mount) draws visitors from all religions
  • '''Bandra's Carter Road promenade''' [http://www.jumpcut.com/view/?id=2DFBD37AA1DF11DD98E2000423CF3686 Video of Carter road].
  • '''Joggers Park'''.
  • '''Pali Hill'''.
  • '''Mehboob Studios''' ? This is where some of the famous Bollywood films of yester-years were born.
  • '''Hill Road''' ? Shopping.
  • '''Linking Road''' ? Shopping.
  • '''Quint villages''' of the original Bandra people (Pali Village, Sherly, Rajan, Ranwar, Chimbai, Kantwadi, to name a few).
  • Do

  • '''Bullseye''' , Santa Cruz, just after subway near S.V. Road and Western Express High Way.
  • '''Pool Halls''' ? there are many pool halls in the subarbas. Cheap (generally 50 rupees) for one 15 minutes to half an hour. Billiards is around 100 rupees. Many of these are not always on main roads. You can just ask someone on the street and they will probably know. Most of these places also have air conditioning.
  • '''Movies''' ? There are many movie theatres that offer movies for 100 rupees. They generally have food like pop corn, samosa, sandwiches, etc for 25 rupees. (Globus, Imax Adlabs, Fame Adlabs).
  • '''Mall''' ? Many malls have come up. Many of these also have theatres. Examples are Globus, Shopperstop, Inorbit Mall, Goregaon Malad Link Road. It's one of the coolest place for food, shopping, movies, and games!
  • Club Oasis fitness Centre & Spa. rand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel, Off Western Express Highway, Santacruz (East). 91 22 6676 1234. ndia.reservations@hyattintl.com. ttp://mumbai.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas/.

  • Club Prana. yatt Regency Mumbai Hotel, Sahar Airport Road. 91 22 6696 1234. ndia.reservations@hyattintl.com. ttp://www.mumbai.regency.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas/.

    Buy

    Hill Road and Linking Road are lined with malls, stores, shops, and hawkers selling branded (and cheap) export surplus clothes.

    Eat

    <!---''For restaurant listings and other food-related stuff. Mention any local specialties or oddities, specific restaurant info, or general idea of good areas of the destination to try. Be sure to explain what the price ranges are ($2 for a meal can be a splurge in some cities). Some travellers like (or have) to make their own food ? include local food-shopping options if possible.''--->

    Chains can be found throughout Bandra, such as Mocha, Barista, McDonalds, KFC, and Cafe Coffee Day. Lots of new restaurants and themes keep popping up on Turner Road, Gaspar Enclave, and Union Park.

    Budget

    <!--*'''Name of Restaurant''', Address (''extra directions if necessary''), phone number (''email, fax, other contact if possible''), [http://www.restaurant.example.com/]. Days and times open. One to three sentences about the food, service, atmosphere, view, specialties, music, what have you. $lowprice-$highprice (''extra price info''). -->

    For street food, quite a few good vendors exist around Bandra. A bloke called Karachi Sweets on Hill Road does a good job. A little further down on Hill Road is Elco Arcade, a vendor who makes some pretty good chaat pani puri. In fact, most of what has been described above can be had from the vendor on Elco Arcade. For the pani puri though, Karachi Sweets on Hill Road and Punjab Sweets on Pali Naka are strongly recommended. For a great Bhel Puri and Sev Puri, you must visit the Bhel Puri Bhaiya on Pali Hill.

    There are a lot of Udipi and Punjabi Restaurants too. For non-vegetarian tandoor you could try Jai Javan at Linking Road opp National College.

  • '''Vow Snax''', 16th Road. Their servings are very big. They provide free delivery as well.
  • '''Shiv Sagar''', Juhu. A fast-food chain where you can find excellent Pav Bhaji and great South Indian dishes, such as dosas.
  • '''Gajalee''', Malvani coastal seafood restaurant at VileParle(East). Good food, but there's usually a wait for seating.
  • <eat name = "Rasoee Veg Kitchen" address = "7, Pratik Avenue, Vile Parle(E), Mumbai 400 057" directions = "Very near to Vile Parle railway station." phone = "+91-22-2613-5445, +91-22-2613-4841" email= "rasoee7@yahoo.co.in" fax = "" url ="" hours = ". s. 140. Serves a sumptuous Gujarati Thali at the upper level. The waiters hover around you insisting that you eat more. At the end of meal, your hands are washed in a special vessel by pouring water out of a jar that wouldn't be out of place in a Maharaja's palace.
  • '''Hearsch and Co.''', Hill Road. Bandra is a hole in the wall food joint that is an institute. Over the last 25+ years, it has been making and selling breads, sandwiches, cakes, rolls, and much more. Chicken Roll and Plum cake are a must have.
  • Mid-range

  • '''Thai Ban''', Shop Number 8, Gaspar Enclave, Pali Naka Bandra ''+91 22'' 2645 9775. A great, suburban favourite, this restaurant is wonderful value. Authentic Thai food with loads of coconut milk. Tiger prawns in spicy lemon sauce, squid with nakaching, and chicken satay are all memorable, and often superior to more upmarket competitors.
  • '''Persia Dabar''', Linking Road, Bandra, Mumbai (''Next to Shoppers Stop''). Indian and Chinese food. Their Tandoori Naan and crispy veg. is killer. It's a cheap, clean, and friendly place.
  • '''Yoko's Sizzlers''', 10/11, West View, S.V. Road, Near Akbarally's, Santacruz(West), Mumbai 54. ''+91 22'' 2649 2313, ''+91 22'' 2649 1528. Serves excellent sizzlers.
  • '''McCraig''', serves nice fast food, mini meals, and snacks at Gaspar enclave, Bandra.
  • '''A-1''' and '''American Express Bakery''' have excellent varieties of bread and takeaway.
  • '''Camy Wafers''' ? Wafers, savories, and farsan.
  • '''Andora''' serves fast food opposite St. Andrews School.
  • '''Lucky''' ? SV Road is famous for its biryani.
  • '''Hersh''' ? Serves bread, goan sweets, fast food, and snacks near Holy Family Hospital.
  • '''Candies ''' ? Has excellent desserts, mini meals, sandwiches, and snacks at Pali and Bandra Reclamation.
  • '''Lucky Star''' serves great Mughlai food at Bandra Bazar Road.
  • '''Highway Gomantak''' serves excellent Konkani and Goan food.
  • Little Italy. 8-B, Juhu Tara Road" directions = "near Maneckji Cooper School" phone = "+91-22-2660-8815" price ="Rs. 200 upwards. Run by Chef Giovanni, Little Italy is vegetarian and serves some great pasta a la puttanesca. Has valet parking.
  • Little Italy. -4 Morya Estate, Andheri - Oshiwara New link road" directions = "Opposite Fame Adlabs/Infiniti Mall" phone = "+91-22-6692-6551" email = "littleitaly.andheri.gmail.com" price ="Rs. 200 upwards. Little Italy has gone the chain restaurant way and has opened a franchise in Andheri West. The same great food can be had here too.

    Splurge

  • '''Palm Grove''', Ramada Plaza Palm, Juhu Beach, Mumbai ''+91 22'' 2611 2323 (''fax:+91 22 2611 3682'')[http://www.ramada.com], is a place that offers surprisingly great ambiance and some really economical beer. The service is good and they have a live band in the evenings (7PM-11PM). Happy hour (about 25% discount on food and beverage) extends up to 7PM. The crowd is fairly decent and includes a fair sprinkling of Europeans in the evenings. (Expect to spend about Rs. 120 ($3) for a beer (+ complimentary snacks) and Rs. 180-Rs. 270 ($4 - $6) for add on snacks to go with the beer.
  • '''Seijo and the soul dish''' has an interesting oriental menu.
  • '''Taj Lands End''' has an interesting range of expensive, but quality restaurants.
  • '''Shatranj Napoli''' is okay for the price.
  • Drink

    Loads of bars and pubs, such as Hawian Shack, Club 9, Totos, etc. Decide where you wanna go depending on the music you wanna hear. Stags are discouraged.

    Sleep

    This is a very expensive area and it is a tough job to get good budget hotels, especially anywhere close to the airport. If you can, you are well advised to choose a hotel farther away to avoid paying through your nose.

    <!--*'''Name of Place''', Address (''extra directions if necessary''), phone number (''email, fax, other contact if possible''), [http://www.hotel.example.com/]. Days and times open. One to three sentences about the service, atmosphere, view, rooms, what have you. $lowprice-$highprice (''extra price info'').-->

    Budget

  • '''Midland Hotel''', Jawaharlal Nehru Road - Santacruz (East), Mumbai (''Five minutes drive from the domestic airport and a 10 minutes drive from the international airport''), ''+91 22'' 2611 0414, ''+91 22'' 2611 0413 (''[mailto:reservations@hotelmidland.com reservations@hotelmidland.com], fax:''+91 22'' 2613 2411'') [http://www.hotelmidland.com/] Free airport pickup and drop available. Complimentary American Breakfast. $87-$97 (''Rs.4000-Rs.4400. Rates inclusive of tax.'')
  • '''Best Western: The Emerald''', Juhu Tara Road, Mumbai, 400049, ''+91 22'' 2661 1150, ''+91 22'' 5695 4850 (fax: ''+91 22'' 2660 3475) [http://www.theemerald.com/]. 20 minute drive from the airport, near Juhu beach. $100 onwards (''Rs.4,500'').
  • '''Tunga International''', B- 11 M.I.D.C, Central Road, Opp Mahakali Caves Road Andheri (East), Mumbai-400 093 ''91 22'' 5692 1212, ''91 22'' 2836 6010.
  • '''Tunga Paradise''', B-11, M.I.D.C. Central Road Andheri(East) Mumbai-400 093 ''91 22'' 2821 7272.
  • '''Hotel Airlines International''', Yoga Institute Road, Prabhat colony, Santa Cruz(East) Mumbai, 400055 (''Five minutes from the domestic airport and 15 minutes from International Airport.'') ''91 22'' 2610 0741, ''91 22'' 2614 9562 $48 - $72 (''Rs.2,200 - Rs. 3,200'').
  • '''Hotel Regent''', Ramakrishna Mandir Road., Kondivita,Andheri (East), Near International Airport. Take the same lane as to lotus Suites, off the Andheri Kurla Road, and travel further inside for 500m, Mumbai 400 057. Tel: 28342020/28342626/28379383 FAX: 28215587. This is a reasonably good budget hotel. $40 - $100 (Rs.1,800 - Rs.4,500).
  • '''Hotel Orritel West''', (''Local Stn. Andheri'') West Mumbai 400053. ''+91'' 98199 09599. Reservations ''+91 22'' 2673 2256, ''+91 22'' 2673 2257 (''[mailto:info@orritel.com info@orritel.com]'') [http://www.orritel.com]. This is a reasonably good budget hotel with airport transfers, a 24-hour coffee Shop, a garden restaurant, and conference and banquet halls.
  • Mid-range

  • '''Ramada Plaza Palm''', Juhu Beach, Mumbai ''+91 22'' 2611 2323 (''fax:''+91 22'' 2611 3682'')[http://www.ramada.com]. Complimentary Buffet breakfast. $125 - $140 (''Rs.7,425-Rs.14,625 '').
  • '''Le Royal Meridien''', Ascot Centre, Sahar Airport Road, Mumbai 400 059 (''1 km from airport. Five minute drive.'') ''+91 22'' 2838 0000 (''fax:''+91 22'' 2838 0101 Additional contact details [http://www.lemeridien.com/reservation_numbers.shtml].) [http://mumbai.lemeridien.com]. $165-$325 (''Rs.7,425-Rs.14,625 akjshdahds'').
  • '''Orchid''', Nehru Road, Vile Parle East, Mumbai - 400 099(''Adjacent to Domestic Airport''), ''91 22'' 2616 4040 (''[mailto:samohmu@orchidhotel.com samohmu@orchidhotel.com], fax: ''+91 22'' 2616 4141'') [http://www.orchidhotel.com/] An Ecotel Hotel is Asia's first certified eco-friendly five star hotel. Located next to the domestic airport. $160-$435 (''Rs.7,000-Rs.16,500'').
  • '''Lotus Suites''', Andheri Kurla Road, International Airport Zone, Andheri (E), Mumbai 400 059 ''91 22'' 2616 4040 (''[mailto:info@lotussuites.com info@lotussuites.com], fax: ''+91 22'' 2827 0345'') [http://www.lotussuites.com/] $95 - $105 (''Rs.4,000-Rs.5,500'').
  • '''Holiday Inn''', Balraj Sahani Marg, Juhu Beach Mumbai, 400049, ''+91 22'' 5693 4444 (''[mailto:reserve@holidayinnbombay.com reserve@holidayinnbombay.com] fax: ''+91 22'' 5693 3100) [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/BOMJB] 20 minute drive from the airport, near Juhu beach. $170 - $230 (''Rs.7,650-Rs.10,350'').
  • '''Sun N Sand Hotel''', Juhu Beach, Mumbai 400049.
  • '''Kohinoor Continental''', Andheri-Kurla Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai - 400059 ''+91 22'' 2404 2211 ([mailto:kohinoorconti@nivalink.com kohinoorconti@nivalink.com]) [http://www.nivalink.com/kohinoor/] $110 onwards (''Rs.5,000'').
  • Splurge

  • Grand Hyatt Mumbai" address="+91 22 6676 1234" directions="Five minutes from Bandra-Kurla" phone="+91 22 6676 1234" email="india.reservations@hyattintl.com " url="http://mumbai.grand.hyatt.com" >Five star lifestyle complex. Has two outdoor pools and a spa.</sleep>

  • Hyatt Regency Mumbai" address="Sahar Airport Road" directions="by the airports" phone="+91 22 6696 1234" email="india.reservations@hyattintl.com" url="http://mumbai.regency.hyatt.com" >Five star hotel with 12 function rooms, squash courts, and a spa.</sleep>

  • '''The Leela Kempinski''', Sahar, Andheri (E), Mumbai-400059 (''1.5 km from international airport''), ''91 22'' 5692 8888 (''[mailto:reservations@theleela.com reservations@theleela.com], fax: ''+91 22'' 5693 4455, ''+91 22'' 5691 1452. Additional contact details[http://www.theleela.com/contact_us.htm].'') [http://www.theleela.com/]. If you have the money, this is ''the'' hotel to stay in. Awarded the best hotel for the International Traveller in the country in 1997-1998. $195-$205 (''Rs.8775-Rs.9225.00'')
  • '''Marriott Executive Apartments Lakeside Chalet''', (also '''Renaissance Hotel and Convention Centre''') Two and three bedrooms, near Chinmayanand Ashram Mumbai, 400 087, ''+91 22'' 2611 0414, ''+91 22'' 2611 0413 (''fax: ''91 22'' 5692 8899, US/Canada tollfree number: 1-800-HOTELS-1'') [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/BOMBR]. Nice view of the Powai lake. $200-$400 (''Rs.9,000 - Rs.18,000 '').
  • '''JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai''', Juhu Tara Road Mumbai, 400 049, ''+91 22'' 5693 3000 (''fax: ''+91 22'' 5693 3100, US/Canada tollfree number: 1-800-228-9290'') [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage.mi?marshaCode=BOMJW]. A 20 minute drive from the airport, near Juhu beach, offers a great view of the Arabian sea. $200-$500 (''Rs.9,000-Rs.22,500 '').
  • '''ITC Grand Maratha Sheraton and Towers''', Sahar, Mumbai, 400099, ''+91 22'' 5654 5454 (''[mailto:mail@welcomgroup.com mail@welcomgroup.com], fax:''+91 22'' 5651 7171) [http://www.welcomgroup.com/]. One of the poshest hotels in the city. Close to the business districts of north and central Mumbai. $180-$700 (''Rs.8,100-Rs.31,500'').
  • '''Taj Lands End''' [http://www.tajhotels.com/TajHotelFinder/Result1.aspx?country=INDIA&city=Mumbai] is the latest happening place at the end of beautiful Bandstand Bandra
  • '''Centaur''', Juhu Tara Rd, Juhu 26113040.
  • '''Retreat''', Madhi-Marve Rd, Malad (W) 288825335.
  • '''Mumbai Hilton''', [http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/index.do].
  • Contact

    http://www.yahoo.com www.yahoo.com

    [http://www.mybandra.com What to do in Bandra?]