Souk — Restaurant in Mumbai

Located on the 21st floor—the top of the Taj Mahal Tower—Restaurant Souk offers an amazing panorama of the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India.

The true star of the experience, however, is the exceptional service provided by the incredible Taj staff.

This includes Anselm, whose warm energy set the tone for our mornings. On day one, he not only insisted on capturing photos of us from his towering vantage point (he’s tall!) but made sure the shots featured us dining against the stunning Mumbai harbor—my favorite photos of our trip. He also ensured we were seated in the best spots every day to accommodate my 86-year-old mother, all the while giving us the best breakfast recommendations.

Then there was Pritesh, whose steaming pots of adrak ka chai became my morning ritual. Knowing my American preference for “BIG,” he prepared not one, but two generous pots served in oversized cups. The tea was perfect, and I looked forward to it every morning.

Rishap welcomed us with his infectious enthusiasm each morning. He shared daily specials, often encouraging us to try “just a bite” if we were hesitant—and we were always glad we did! His attention to detail was impeccable; when he noticed the moong dal halwa I picked had a slightly burnt bottom, he whisked it away and returned with a fresh serving. It’s these details that truly make a difference.

My dosas were divine, thanks to Chef Amit, who makes them like no one else. Knowing we love them super crispy, he ensured the tava was hot and waiting as we arrived at 8 am everyday. He even nudged me out of my comfort zone to try three different kinds of dosas—something I wouldn’t typically do, but I was so glad I did. I'm taking him home :))

Chef Shanti Prasad shared the same passion, insisting we try his signature parathas. Knowing I hated to waste food, he prepared small parathas for me, each just 3 inches wide, stuffed with aloo, paneer, and mixed vegetables. To top it off, his mint chutney was the best--I WANT that recipe.

Finally, Deepali, the enchanting hostess, brought everything together with her stories of life in Mumbai. Her anecdotes were entertaining, heartwarming, and a reminder of just how lucky and grateful we felt to be there.

From the unforgettable views to the impeccable service and the warmth of every interaction, Restaurant Souk IS Taj exceptional service...

We visited souk on valentines day with very high expectations. We were seated at 10:30pm. For a set meal that costed 6k+tax per person...it was nothing short of a disappointment.While we do understand the price you pay is for the ambience, The food and " the Taj experience". Soul being middle eastern food- the ambience was like a pub at a slightly lower decibels. There was Bryan Adams and bon jovi being played. Our first course of humble hummus and pita was served aft 30mins of being seated after multiple requests. Hummus jus needed to be spooned from a Contrainer...but we had to eventually tell Our server that it can't take 30 miss to start a meal. We were then served with some very substandard piece of fish and 2 thumb sized pieces of chicken...The meal lacked freshness. Till 11 45pm we waited for our main course....and with all the waiting we had lost appetite. We couldn't even finish the measly starter. We had finally lost our will to wait or explain and we had to ask the server to end our meal....either charge us for wat we ate or parcel the rest. They did parcel the rest and it was sheer disappointment...it was a pasta salad with risone pasta - plain boiled with bell peppers. Lacked seasoning and taste. Lentil pilaf which was sad to say the least...it had red lentil and rice seasoned with cinnamon. The rice lacked flavor and completely dry. There was lamb which could have just passed off as saving grace...4 ...1inch squares of the meat in gravy. This experience was nothing like you would expect at a fine dining 5 star restaurant. It felt like an absolute waste of money....and a large sum might I add. It's not an experience we would want to remember. Souk was on the bucket list...but it's not somewhere we would return. I understand it's fine dining and 6k is for a set meal...but make it worth it! The fish and chicken were so dry and so tiny in size...it was so evident ...that we hav fleeced the customer in the name of fine dining. We would possibly not return to souk...even though we enjoy a good middle...

Souk, located on the top floor of The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, offers an impressive dining experience with some notable highlights and a few areas for improvement.

The customer service at Souk is exceptional. The staff is attentive and ensures you feel well taken care of throughout your visit. The ambience is pleasant, featuring a sophisticated decor that complements the restaurant’s location. One of the unique aspects of Souk is its view; from the top floor, you can enjoy a stunning perspective of the Gateway of India, although you need to stand up to fully appreciate the sight.

During our visit, we tried several dishes:

• Hummus: 4/5 • Lebanese Pizza: 5/5 (a must-try) • Schumander Salate: 2/5 • Moussaka: 3/5 • Souk Pilaf: 3/5

The menu at Souk is somewhat limited, but the items available are generally good. We sampled 5-6 dishes during our visit. While a few stood out for their flavor, others didn’t quite meet expectations. The presentation of the dishes was adequate, though not particularly impressive.

We didn’t manage to get the table we initially wanted, but this didn’t significantly affect our overall experience thanks to the excellent service provided. Despite the limited selection, the quality of the service and the unique views make Souk a worthwhile visit.

In summary, Souk at The Taj Mahal Palace offers a good dining experience with remarkable service and a pleasant ambience. While there is room for improvement in some of the dishes and their presentation, the exceptional service and beautiful view of the Gateway of India make it a memorable spot to...