Ayyappan Idli — Restaurant in Mumbai

This a small and humble outlet serving variety of south indian snacks and this is a pure veg restaurant. However don't get confused by the inclusion of only idli in their name, their menu is a vast one with inclusion of variety of other items.

In frame – Mysore idli, Garden Dosa, Chinese uttapam, filter coffee and Rassam.

1. Mysore Idli - (5/5) As the name goes it is made properly with all the ingredients of Mysore masala and the idli fried and tossed in it. The idli absorbs all the elements of the Mysore masala and blends in together to give it a amazing and unique taste. This is served with sambar and three types of chutney. The combination of all is simply mind blowing.

‌2) Special Garden Dosa - (5/5): This a speciality dish this restaurant and it justifies it by not only by being special but also by being spectacular. There’s panneer and cheese topped with mayonnaise along with the veggies. The veggies are properly cooked and the Dosa is crisp and tasty as it should be. This is also served with three types of chutney and sambar the combination as a whole again is simply amazing and will definitely satiate your taste buds.

3. Chinese uttapam (5/5): This is dish is a combination of indian and chinese ingredients. This is a simple yet amazingly made up dish, where every ingredient maintains it identity but blends in together with the humble uttapam to give it a unique taste. The combination of perfectly cooked veggies and the Chinese and indian fusion in a classic South indian dish is refreshing.

4. Filter Coffee (5/5): This is as it should be, absolutely perfect and on point and feels refreshing

5. Rassam (5/5): another classic dish, absolutely pin perfect with all the combination of the spices involved. If you are a rassam lover you will definitely gorge on this. It's simple yet tasty.

Overall rating - 5/5

Final verdict, definitely recommended to try out the entire range. The proportion of food portion is good and so is the amazing taste. The food is absolutely tasty, delicious and is wonderful combination a whole, this definitely a thumbs up experience. Special mention to the three types of chutney Especially the red tangy chutney which is a highlight of this small and humble restaurant and also the polite and humble staff. This place qualifies a hidden gem, do visit this place and try out their...

Hey Ayyappan, Guess what..

You dont deserve to be in direct conversation with me anymore, but my social responsibility gets me here to speak to my fellow Mumbaikars about your egoistic behaviour.

U know what...

...U just lost around 80 customers who were recommended by me and who had breakfast in groups of 30-40 others on my recommendation.

If at all u wanna find who I am, Just look back in your history of 3 biggest Groups served by you till today, who visited you with 2 busses and several cars, on my recommendation at 3 different occasions.

Hey folks, if you are a frequent visitor at a particular restaurant and always have one particular item u wish to have at that place, will you be able to sort out the difference in taste on one particular visit... same thing happened here. Ordered Masala Dosa, felt a difference and tasteless either due to salt or other spice. Called the waiter and whispered in his ears about this unusual taste. Didn't want others to effected by my findings.

Exactly the next day, I happened to pass from there and decided to halt and ordered another Dosa and requested to make it very Less spicy. This was informed thrice. My request was not communicated as per my instructions given and I received a double spicy one.

Dare you speak about any modifications in their items as per your taste or point out that there is any salt or spice more or less on a particular day... They give a damn. Though I "WAS" a frequent visitor, this place is not on my visit list any more... Even if the owner offers me their apology for their behavior. I was charged for their mistake. While firmly denying to pay for their mistake, the charges were reversed with a request to a Brand Loyal Customer (whose this was 60th or 70th visit), "Please Dont Visit Again".

Well Ayyappan, You Keep your Ego, and I'll definately keep my restaurant recommendation choice with my friends and others for someone better.

Please note, until my last visit your food ranked 3-4 stars, but after my last visit you are left with just a...

Ayyappan Idli – Great Food, But Terrible Hygiene and Ambience

Ayyappan Idli in Matunga has earned a reputation among South Indian food lovers for its flavorful and authentic street-style fare. The idlis are soft and fresh, the dosas crisp, and the chutneys and sambhar pack a punch. If you're purely judging the food, it's hard to complain — it's affordable, tasty, and consistent. The staff is polite, quick to serve, and clearly hardworking.

But that's where the positives end.

The hygiene and overall upkeep of the place is shockingly poor. The setup looks more like an unregulated footpath stall than a proper food outlet. The cooking and serving area appears cluttered and exposed, with no real separation from the dusty road or foot traffic. Eating here doesn't feel comfortable — it’s chaotic, cramped, and gives off a neglected vibe.

Despite being in a relatively busy and well-known part of Matunga (a locality known for its traditional South Indian eateries), Ayyappan Idli has made little to no effort to improve its cleanliness or seating arrangement. There’s barely any sanitation in sight, and the surroundings do not inspire confidence — especially if you're particular about where your food is being cooked and served.

It's disappointing that a place with such good food and loyal patrons hasn't invested even the bare minimum in cleanliness and hygiene, which should be non-negotiable in any eatery, no matter how small or street-side.

Verdict: ✅ Great food. ✅ Friendly staff. ❌ Dirty, unkempt setup. ❌ Feels unsanitary and gives off an unpleasant vibe.

Unless you're okay eating in unsanitary conditions for the sake of taste, this is a hard pass. With so many better-maintained South Indian joints in Matunga, Ayyappan Idli needs to seriously rethink...