Mani's Lunch Home — Restaurant in Mumbai

The first Mani’s restaurant was started by Narayanaswami’s father, V.S Mani, back in 1937 in Sion after having worked with many dignitaries at their house kitchens. Mani has started the Oman feast called ‘Thiruvona Sadya’ around the 1960’s and the practise continued at the Matunga outlet till date.

Matunga’s iconic eatery, Mani’s Lunch Home, which shut last month, is set to reopen a new outlet in Chembur. The new outlet is expected to start serving patrons from October.

Started in May 2002, the iconic eatery was located at Model Co-Op. Hostel society at Telang Road, next to Sankar Mattam in Matunga, Mumbai. It was renowned for serving a gamut of authentic South Indian fine cuisine, breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm at a reasonable cost.

On July 2, however, the eatery was forced to shut its outlet after the building in which it was housed went in for redevelopment.

The proprietor, KS Narayanaswamy, has now confirmed that Mani’s Lunch Home is set to reopen its new outlet at Komal Building on Road No 2, Chembur East.

After shutting the Matunga outlet, Narayanaswamy was adamant about finding an alternate location in the same area. But, he was unable to find a suitable location. Meanwhile, their outlet near Ruia college remains functional.

“Matunga is known for its South Indian temples and food joints and, therefore, I was keen to look for an alternative there. Unfortunately, nobody wants to rent their premises to a restaurant, especially in residential pockets. Despite having a good relationship with Matunga residents, I could not get a place. So, I went after my second option, which was Chembur,” he told a leading daily.

The new location, however, comes with its own perks and pains. While it boasts of a 1,200 sq.ft area, the rent has also gone up. Compared to the Rs 60,000 rent at Matunga, Narayanaswamy claims he will have to shell out Rs 1.5 lakh now. The added cost might result in a slight increase in rates.

During the last 2 months, the proprietor has retained his staff by paying them salaries. So, the work on the new eatery will begin as soon as he gets possession during the first week of September. The new outlet is expected to open its doors in October.

Unfortunately, the restaurant will miss the occasion this year as the new place won’t be...

Manis lunch home has always been my favorite spot from my college days in Matunga.On a Sunday I had some work in Matunga so decided to visit Manis lunch home . I am visiting this restaurant after a gap of 4 years. I ordered Idli vada sambar while my wife ordered lemon rice.The idli vada sambar was very good compared to all the ones I tasted in & around Mumbai. It was very close to the taste in southern part of India. In my college days visit to this restaurant made me nostalgic.As usual even after 24 years they still maintain the restaurant neat & clean. They still serve unlimited sambar & chutney with the dishes.I loved their chutney more than their sambar.The taste of idli vada was same as that tasted four year/ even 24 years before.It was always difficult to get a place to sit inside the restaurant during weekends especially the peak hours. Today we went at an odd time of 11 am so we could comfortably sit inside the small restaurant.The lemon rice was served with kerala pappadam & chutney. It tasted good. The rice looked bulky similar to that used in Kerala.Overall it tasted good.Then although my stomach was full I wanted to taste their plain dosa to which I am a bigger fan.The dosa taste amazing good & kudos to the team for maintaining their standards over the years. I topped it with a nice filter coffee. The coffee was great & a must have so whenever you have food here pls keep space for the filter coffee. My wife is a tea lover so she ordered Tea. The teas was good as per her. I did not want to spoil my coffee taste😜 so did not taste the tea.I love to keep the taste of filter coffee to stay in my mouth as long as possible.It was nice to recollect old memories sitting in this restaurant. It had made our day.Thanks to the management to keep the restaurant intact even after so many years. Hats off to the team.It is a must visit restaurant in Mumbai if you like authentic South...

Mani’s Lunch Home- Since 2007, during my monthly early morning office tours, I make it a personal ritual to stop at Mani’s Lunch Home in Matunga East for breakfast. No matter how early the day begins or how packed the schedule looks, I always get down here first—it’s my way of starting the day on the right note. Over the years, I’ve tasted nearly every item served here. But my usual favorites are the idli-vada, medu vada, and the classic sada dosa. The idlis are soft and fluffy, the vadas crispy and golden, and the dosa—light, thin, and perfectly roasted. Each dish is accompanied by hot sambar and fresh coconut chutney that bring out authentic South Indian flavors. One of the best parts of Mani’s is their warm and generous service. The staff pours unlimited sambar and chutney on your plate until you gently say “enough.” This simple yet heartfelt gesture has become the USP (Unique Selling Point) of the place. It's not just about the food, but the love and hospitality that comes with it. Once I finish my meal, I always end with a cup of their aromatic filter coffee. Whether you prefer it light or strong, Mani’s coffee is brewed to perfection—rich, bold, and served in traditional steel tumblers that enhance its charm. For health-conscious guests like me, they also offer sugar-free tea, which is light, refreshing, and perfect to start the workday with clarity and balance. After breakfast, I continue with my day feeling satisfied and refreshed. That peaceful moment at Mani’s sets a positive tone for whatever work lies ahead. Mani’s Lunch Home is not just a restaurant for me. It’s a monthly ritual, a memory lane of flavors, and a place where time slows down—where every bite takes me back to the roots of comfort and tradition. In a fast-moving city like Mumbai, Mani’s is a calm, soulful corner that...