Dishoom's Kavi Thakraron why Mumbai is his inspiration

The best street food, fantastic markets and bars where the hours just disappear...the restaurateur shares his guide

- Hayley Spencer

What’s your favourite destination?

Mumbai. It’s been so inspirational to me. I’ve been going there since childhood with my grandparents — it’s long been a really big part of my life. And, of course, it’s a really big part of what I get to do for work as well, for Dishoom. I absolutely love it.

What is your lasting memory of Mumbai?

Sitting on Girgaon Chowpatty — a beach on Marine Drive — in early childhood, at around six or seven, while my grandparents took a sunset stroll. They would leave me with a kulfi seller, and I’d get unlimited ice cream!

When was the last time that you were there?

I’ve been four or five times this year, most recently just a few weeks ago with my co-founder, my cousin Shamil, and our executive chef, Arun. We had a lot of fun eating delicious stuff.

What’s the best place to eat?

That’s really hard. I’ve been going to Mumbai for the past 10 years for work and I’ve probably been more than 40 times, and whenever I do, I discover new places to eat. So I don’t have a favourite restaurant per se in the city, because there’s so much on offer. But I’ll recommend two places: Mohammed Ali Road for late-night treats and eats; you walk up and down the road and there’s amazing kebabs, curries and sweets. And for lunch with a friend or two, or 10, is a thali place called Shree Thaker Bojanalay and they have amazing thalis.

Is there a hidden gem you’re willing to share?

If I had to pick my one favourite bite in Mumbai, it would be the vada pav (a potato dumpling in a roll) from Ashok Vada Pav, which is near Kirti College. Sometimes I land from the airport, and I go straight there before even heading to the hotel and eat two or three.