Mumbai’s 21 Best Sandwiches

What's to a sandwich but two slices of bread and a choice of filling? That simple but genius combination has spurned a 1,000 variations, some indigenous to Mumbai's very own streets (vada pav, anyone?). In our quest to whittle down the best sandwiches in the city, we had to limit ourselves to what we considered a sandwich—essentially anything held between bread, usually two slices or more, and excepting vada pav and burgers, which though popular variations, are entitled to separate lists. From the humble roadside toastie to the more artisinal creations of five-star restaurants, we bring you the fruits of our very extensive labour. The sandwiches are ranked in no particular order. Love one? Hate others? Have your own suggestions? Please post all thoughts in the comments sections. 1.Philly Cheese Steak, Indigo DeliAn American deli favourite, this peppery sandwich is strictly for meat lovers, with its mix of sliced steak, sautéed onions, cheese, pepper and a tangy barbecue sauce filled into a herb-crusted loaf of bread. Rs385. Ground Floor, Pheroze Building, Chattrapati Shivaji Maharishi Marg, Apollo Bunder, Colaba. Tel: 6655 1010. Also at Palladium Mall, Lower Parel. 2. Bagel and Lox, Indigo DeliGenerous slices of smoked salmon are packed between two halves of a bagel slathered with cream cheese, and topped with onions and capers. Can you say "Oy vey!"? Rs415. See above for listing information. 3. Egg sandwich, Kala Ghoda Café  This neat egg sandwich is the perfect picnic snack. Diced egg (equal parts white to yellow) tossed with the right amount of mayo, and pressed with alfalfa sprouts between KGC’s signature home made whole wheat bread. Rs80. 10 Ropewalk Lane (across from Trishna),? Kala Ghoda. Tel: 2263 3866. 4. Israeli Sandwich, Café Moshe  This is breakfast in a bagel bun. This off-menu sandwich consists of boiled diced eggs (mostly whites), with the right amounts of in-house made mayo, chives, coriander and yes, boiled potato between slices of toasted bagel. Rs120. Fabindia, First Floor, Jeroo Building, 137 MG Road, Kala Ghoda, Colaba. Tel: 2262 3552. Also at Crossword Bookstore, Kemps Corner. Tel: 2386 2795. 5. Lindsey, Wich Latte This is turkey with a twist, thanks to some finely diced mushrooms sautéed in balsamic vinegar, and doused in parsley garlic dressing and cheddar cheese. Rs195. Shop No 4, Ground Floor, Western Breeze Building, Colaba Causeway. Tel: 6525 4827. Ground Floor, Natwar Chambers, Alana House Marg, behind HDFC Bank, Fort. Tel: 6510 0727. PVR Food Court, Phoenix Mills, Tulsi Pipe Road, Lower Parel. Tel: 6510 0719. 6. Chip Butty, Theobroma Heart disease in a bun, this is not for the faint of heart. Shredded chicken, strips of bacon topped with a slice of cheddar and packed into a bun slathered with butter and mayonnaise. The piece de resistance? A generous stuffing of French fries that gives the butty its name. Rs175. See listing. 7. Dessert Sandwich, Bhola and Sagar Two slices of hot, buttery bread crammed with grated cheese and home-made jam made of banana, papaya and the fruit of the day. Grilled till the cheese and jam meld into a single delicious pink filling. Rs25. See listing. 8. Cheese Chutney Sandwich, RamnathIt’s not the ingredients but what you do with them that make all the difference. At Ramnath, a hole-in-the-wall establishment, fiery chutney is tempered with generous amounts of cheese to create toastie heaven. Rs25. Opposite Phoenix Mills (entrance to Lifestyle), Tulsi Pipe Road, Lower Parel. 9. Veg Cheese Grilled Sandwich, Right Place  Piling a sandwich with assorted vegetables (potato, tomatoes, pepper, capsicum, onions) and chutney, then grilling it for a couple of minutes may not seem like much of an idea, but when this Breach Candy snack joint offered customers this portable vegetarian feast, they took to it like the best thing since sliced bread. Rs60. Opposite Breach Candy Hosptial, Warden Road. 10. Melanzane E Scamorza Affumicato, Da Vinci’s Express Sliced eggplant is smoked and layered with chicken salami and soft Scarmoza cheese. Rs130. Raghuvanshi Mills, next to Tata Power gate, Tulsi Pipe Road, Lower Parel. Tel: 93201 36611/93202 36611. 11. Turkey and Cranberry Sandwich, Pali Village Café  This sandwich brings together all the best bits of a Thanksgiving feast. Sliced turkey, with cranberry and mayo makes for a savoury-sweet treat that hits the right taste buds. Rs331. See listing. 12. BT Express, Banyan Tree Café A protein whammy of chicken and boiled egg smothered in mayo, olives and lettuce. Rs 180. Gallery BMB, Queens Mansion, GT Marg, near Cathedral School, Fort. Tel: 6510 9308. 13. Chicken Junglee, Candies The Candies' Junglee—made with boiled and shredded chicken, mayo, chopped capsicum, and a dusting of pepper—has acquired a devoted following over the years. Rs50. Mac Ronnel Hall, St. Andrews Road, near Pali Naka, Bandra (West). Tel: 2642 4124. 14. Hummus Bagel, The Bagel Shop Slathered with homemade hummus, this bagel makes a compelling case for simple food. Tomatoes, lettuce, chilli flakes and olive oil add a nice Mediterranean touch to a Middle Eastern spread. Rs134. 30 Anand Villa, Pali Mala Road, Off Carter Road, Bandra (West). Tel: 2605 0178. 15. Prawn Club Sandwich, Bombay Baking Company  It’s a derivative of the shrimp cocktail except the prawn isn’t so heavily drenched in dressing. This grilled whole wheat bread sandwich comprises boiled baby prawns, lettuce, tomatoes, a dash of lime and Thousand Island dressing that is used as spread in place of butter. Rs652. JW Mariott, Juhu Tara Road, near Juhu Beach. Tel: 6693 3399. 16. Pizza Sandwich Toast, Jay Sandwich Stall Who needs San Marzano tomatoes when regular ol' ketchup will do? The pizza sauce that features in this perfectly crisp toastie is a blend of tomato ketchup, Amul cheese, finely chopped capsicum, onion and half a slab of butter, making it a pizza in name only. Rs40. Linking Road, near National College, Bandra (West). Tel: 2605 8493. 17. Chilli Cheese Toast, Lucky Sandwich Perpetually drawing a crowd, Lucky Sandwich’s chilli cheese toast is worth the wait. The chutney is more parts green chilli than coriander, giving this two-tiered cheese, capsicum and onion mix its pungent kick. Rs35. Outside Vile Parle station, corner of DJ Road and Bajaj Road, near Somayya Sadan, Vile Parle (West). 18. Paprika Chicken and Pesto Gouda, Santé  It might not be much to look at, but this sandwich delivers on all taste points. You can build your own or settle for the staff recommended pick of paprika chicken, pesto-flavoured Gouda, gherkins, jalapenos and lettuce, with a light mayo and Dijon mustard dressing. Rs275. Shop No.1, Sahina Apartments, Pali Market, Bandra (West). Tel: 2640 2126. 19. Cajun Chicken Sandwich, Out of the Blue This open-faced sandwich, with a tangy Cajun-spiced grilled breast of chicken, iceberg lettuce and sun dried tomatoes, topped with mozzarella on a slice of whole grain bread, is Southern USA by way of Italy. Rs219. Hotel Pali Hill, 14 Union Park, off Carter Road, next to Olive Bar & Kitchen, Khar (West). Tel: 93248 39393. 20. More Than Mozzarella, Sandwich & Co. With ingredients so simple, how can you go wrong? Italian buffalo mozzarella, tomato, arugula and crunchy pine nuts are packed between two large multi-grain country loaves. Rs250. Shop No.2, Ground Floor, Nav Pooja, Perry Cross Road, Bandra (West). Tel: 2655 3366. 21. Gourmet Club, Fenix at The Oberoi Hefty in girth, ingredients and price, the Gourmet Club is a lofty cousin of the ubiquitous hotel club sandwich. Corn-fed chicken, pancetta, and avocado are layered with free-range egg and goat cheese and served with a heaping of triple-fried French fries. Rs850. The Oberoi, Lobby level, Nariman Point. Tel: 6632 4343.