While hole-in-the-wall eateries have their own charm, when you want to go out for a special evening, you should definitely up your game. Dev Goswami & Shirley Mistry tell you which restaurants in the city have a stellar view and are worth splashing out on
The next time you are planning to head out for a meal, instead of going to your favourite quaint joint or a sports bar, consider heading to a restaurant with a view. It does take a little more planning and probably won’t be situated in the lane next to where you live, but restaurants that have a stunning view can escalate your eating experience to a whole new level and are worth they extra money. They are perfect for celebratory dinners as well as relaxed evenings, so get started by taking a look at our favourites across the city.
Waterstones Bar & Grill
If dining at a table that overlooks a pristine pool sounds interesting, head to Waterstones Bar & Grill, where the focus is on creating a relaxed atmosphere. Kick off your shoes and sink into their comfortable wicker chairs as you sip on cocktails and laze under the massive beach inspired umbrellas. Apart from having a great selection of drinks, the restaurant also boasts of great cuisine and is the perfect way to unwind on a Saturday afternoon, with a cocktail in hand, as you watch the sun go down.
Where Waterstones Bar & Grill Near InterContinental – The Lalit, Sahar Airport Road, Andheri (E)
Contact 40906633
LI Bai
If you have a fear of heights, you should stay away from Li Bai, as it is situated 37 floors above the ground. However, once you do get up here, the view is breathtaking, making it easy to unwind with a drink in hand. The lounge overlooks the Mahalakshmi race course and you have the entire city at your feet, with the tallest of buildings seeming like miniature toys. This place should be a must-visit on your list.
Where 37th Floor, Palladium Hotel, near Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel
Contact 61628000
Big Bang Bar & Café
If you are looking for a restaurant that boasts of a view, but isn’t as quiet as most other places, we suggest you pay Big Bang Bar & Café a visit. The atmosphere is anything but mellow and it features elements of décor borrowed from discotheques (such as their wall of backlit, upturned glasses) and places them in a rooftop setting. Also, head here if you want the ambience of a rooftop restaurant but also want to listen to peppy music while you catch up with friends over a few drinks.
Where Kenilworth Building, Third Floor, Linking Road, Bandra (W)
Contact 26008833/ 77
DOME
Situated strategically at Marine Drive, overlooking an expanse of water, is Dome, InterContinental’s rooftop restaurant. Its relaxed atmosphere makes it an ideal option for a Sunday brunch or a few drinks as you watch the sun set. The music is mellow but it drowns out the noise from vehicles. After the sun has gone down, the dim lighting makes it a great venue for a candle-lit dinner or even a family
get-together.
Where Hotel InterContinental, 135, Churchgate
Contact 39879999
Apicius
It is hard to find a place with a great view that strikes a good balance between the food, drinks and price. However, Apicius does that perfectly. The bar and kitchen has some great Mediterranean and Italian fare that you can enjoy either at their fine-dine section or the more scenic, al-fresco section, where you’ll get to enjoy a view of the starry sky. The food and drinks are well-priced and the menu is quite vast. The al-fresco section has its own bar (pictured on the left), with a good selection of bar bites.
Where Blue Wave, off Link Road, Lokhandwala, Andheri (W)
Contact 26734338
Saffron Bay
The rooftop bar at Saffron Bay offers one of the best views of the Queen’s Necklace. You will literally be paying for the view though, as the prices here are quite high. However, they have good happy hour timings (12-9pm on weekdays and 4-8pm from Friday to Sunday). They also have a bar night ever Wednesday, where you can enjoy happy hours till the restaurant closes. Saffron Bay specialises in Mughlai fare and is the perfect place to go for a romantic dinner date or a round of cocktails after work.
Where Chowpatty Seaface, Charni Road, Chowpatty
Contact 23696992
Exo
Just like Li Bai, Exo (located in the same hotel) offers a breathtaking view of our metropolis. The nightclub is spread over two levels and is the perfect location for party animals. They pride themselves on their whiskey selection and their mixologists, who promise to treat you to their in-house infusions. The place can make quite a dent in your wallet, but it will be worth it!
Where Palladium Hotel, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel
Contact 61628422
Escobar
This popular Bandra joint is known for having the longest bar in Mumbai. If that doesn’t tempt you to visit them, the open air, al-fresco sitting will. The view at Escobar might not be the best view in Mumbai, especially when compared to the other restaurants on this list, but it is perfect if you’re looking to relax with friends over a few drinks. The delectable Italian, Mexican and Spanish fare is another plus point!
Where VN Sphere, Linking Road, Bandra (W)
Contact 42760000
Terra
With quaint European décor, the newly opened rooftop café, Terra, is on our list of must-visits and should be on yours too! They offer some truly interesting cocktails such as the Jalapeno Lemongrass Mojito, Vodka Caviar and Wasabi Bloody Marry. Their food ranges from Mediterranean to continental and you can also look forward to some unique, fusion recipes. The café is perfect for all occasions — whether it’s a date or a night out
with friends.
Where Executive Enclave Hotel, Seventh Floor, Pali Hill, Bandra (W)
Contact 33487853