Chaitanya

Chaitanya specialises in Malvani food, a coastal Maharashtrian style of cooking with seafood at its heart. It is on Raobahadur S.K. Bole Road in Dadar, a central Mumbai neighbourhood known for its long-established Marathi restaurants, and it is a reliable choice for anyone who wants to try the regional food of Maharashtra rather than the North Indian dishes found on many menus.

The dining room has a cave-like, village-home feel that suits the food. For one or two people, a good order is the kombdi curry with wade, a chicken curry served with crisp, puffy fried breads; tisrya bhujane, unshelled clams sauteed with spicy coconut; and chicken sagoti on the bone. Groups can spread out across several fish thalis, which bring a full meal on one plate, and add olya kajuchi usal, a dish of fresh cashew nuts in a roasted masala gravy. Ask what fish is in that day for the thalis. The kitchen's range means you can build a meal around seafood, chicken or a mix of both, and sharing several dishes is the best way to understand the cuisine. Fish thalis are the simplest option if you want a complete meal on one plate without having to choose.

If you are not used to spicy food, ask the staff for guidance on heat levels when you order. The restaurant suits seafood lovers, solo diners and small groups, and it works well for lunch as well as dinner. It is a more local experience than many of the restaurants in South Mumbai, and prices are moderate.

Takeaway is a big part of what Chaitanya does, so it can also be a good option if you are staying nearby. Allow around an hour for a meal. Weekend lunchtimes can be busy, so arriving early is sensible. Vegetarians have some choices, but the strength of the menu is its seafood and meat.

Dadar is a short taxi ride from the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi, which is on the same road, so a meal here fits well with a visit there. If you are coming from South Mumbai, allow extra time for traffic, particularly in the evening rush.