Sardar — Restaurant in Mumbai

MY EXPERIENCE: 1.Food Experience (Taste & Quality): Legendary Pav Bhaji Taste – The pav bhaji is insanely buttery, rich, and flavorful. The bhaji (vegetable mash) is spiced perfectly and loaded with dollops of Amul butter.

Generous Butter Use – Each plate comes with a slab of melting Amul butter floating over the bhaji. The pav (bread buns) are roasted in butter until crisp and golden brown.

Signature Spices – Their spice blend is unique and gives a tangy, spicy kick. It’s slightly different from other stalls, making it stand out in all of Mumbai.

Portion Size – One plate is filling, and you get a good quantity of bhaji with extra butter if you ask.

Pav is Soft Yet Crispy – Roasted to perfection, it’s crunchy outside and soft inside — perfect for scooping up the bhaji.

Service & Ambience:

Quick Service – Despite the crowd, service is usually fast. The staff is trained to handle large volumes without much delay.

No-Frills Setting – It’s a basic, old-school place near Mumbai Central, with steel tables and chairs. Focus is entirely on food.

Busy All the Time – Be prepared for waiting time, especially in the evenings or weekends. But the queue moves quickly.

Open Kitchen – You can see bhaji being prepared in huge tawas (griddles), which adds to the experience.

Historical & Trivia Facts:

Established in 1966 – Started by Sardar Ahmed, it’s one of Mumbai’s oldest pav bhaji joints.

Started as a Worker’s Eatery – Initially targeted mill workers of the then-thriving textile mills in Mumbai.

Pioneer of Butter-Loaded Bhaji – They were among the first to introduce the heavily buttered version of pav bhaji.

Famous Among Celebs – Many Bollywood stars and politicians have been spotted eating here discreetly.

Location Trivia – Located right outside Mumbai Central Station, it’s perfect for tourists and regular commuters.

No Fancy Branding – Despite massive popularity, they have retained the humble and authentic look since the beginning.

No Branches – Sardar Pav Bhaji has no official branches. If you find one elsewhere with the same name, it’s likely not authentic.

Tava Size Trivia – Their giant iron tavas used to prepare bhaji can handle 10–12 plates at once and weigh over 30 kg.

Butter Consumption – On a busy weekend, they reportedly go through over 50–70 kilograms of Amul butter!

Price & Value:

Not the Cheapest – A plate costs more than average street stalls (approx. ₹150–₹200), but the taste justifies the price.

Value for Money – Given the quality and quantity, it’s a must-try even at a premium rate.

Tips for First-Time Visitors:

Visit During Off-Peak Hours – Aim for late afternoons (3–5 PM) or early evenings (6 PM) to avoid long queues.

Go Light on Lunch – So you can enjoy the heavy, buttery bhaji to the fullest.

Don’t Skip the Lemon & Onion – Mixing them with bhaji enhances flavor and balances the richness.

Avoid White Clothes – Butter + spice splatter is real!

Carry Cash or UPI – They accept UPI, but it’s safer to keep cash during rush hours.

Final Verdict:

If you're in Mumbai and haven't eaten at Sardar Pav Bhaji, you've missed an essential culinary experience. It’s not just food — it’s a taste of Mumbai’s street food culture, history, and legacy...

Sardar Pav Bhaji, is well known for the classic street food dish, Mumbai Pav bhaji. I have been eating at this place since 1976-77 when my father had taken me there. After that I have eaten here maybe twice a year or so. Taste : The taste of the pav bhaji is decent, but not outstanding. The rich, flavorful blend of spices and mashed vegetables create a delightful taste when added to the mouth. Personally I feel that any food item which you eat piping hot always tends to burn your tongue initially & then you cannot taste it. That is what happens here frequently. Hence allow the bhaji to cool down a bit before you begin eating to savour the taste. The Bhaji does not have any unique taste. It is overcooked vegetables with an overload of potatoes compared to the other vegetables. I have surely had better tasting Bhaji elsewhere in Mumbai at places with less hype. The amount of Amul butter added to the bhaji & to the pav creates such a buttery taste that it actually overpowers the taste of the vegetables and the spices it is cooked in. It is the quantity of extra Amul butter which is added on top of the bhaji is that makes the real difference to enhance the taste. I strongly feel that they should add less salt when making the bhaji as it becomes salty after the Amul butter is added. The pillowy soft fresh pav loaded with butter are the perfect accompaniment to the bhaji & complement it perfectly. Quantity : The portion size is served in a quarter plate with 2 butter loaded pavs & finely chopped onions with piece of lemon. You may have to order an extra pav to finish the bhaji.

Is the pav bhaji is worth the hype surrounding it? This is often referred to as the best pav bhaji place in Mumbai, which is what causes all the expectations to rise. If you do not go with any expectations then you are better off. You may love it. Service : The service staff are bad & do not place the plates on the table but bang them without concern. Very often the bhaji and butter spills over. If you ask them for anything they will say yes but not get it. They have been probably been trained by the...

If you’re in Mumbai and craving pav bhaji, Sardar Pav Bhaji is an absolute must-visit. Nestled in the heart of the city near Mumbai Central, this iconic eatery has been serving one of the richest and most indulgent versions of this beloved street food for decades.

As soon as you step inside, you’re greeted by a strong aroma of butter and spices—an instant teaser for what’s about to come. The place is almost always packed, and for good reason. The menu is straightforward, with pav bhaji as the highlight, but don’t let the simplicity fool you. What makes Sardar Pav Bhaji stand out is its sheer decadence.

When the plate arrives, the first thing you notice is the generous slab of butter melting into the bhaji. The bhaji itself is thick, smooth, and bursting with flavor—each bite packed with the perfect balance of tanginess, spice, and richness. The pav is soft, toasted to perfection, and dripping with butter, making it the ideal companion to the bhaji.

One of the things I love most about Sardar Pav Bhaji is the consistency. Every visit feels like a nostalgic trip, with the same comforting taste and quality that has kept it famous over the years. The portion size is generous, and despite the richness, it’s hard to stop eating. If you’re a fan of extra butter (which you almost have to be here), you’ll be in heaven.

That being said, be prepared for a bit of a wait, especially during peak hours. The service is quick once you get a table, but the high demand means you might have to be patient. The prices are slightly higher than your average street-side pav bhaji stall, but for the experience and taste, it’s worth every rupee.

Overall, Sardar Pav Bhaji is not just a meal—it’s an experience. Whether you’re a Mumbaikar or a visitor, indulging in this legendary pav bhaji at least once is a must. Just don’t count calories while...