Visiting Mumbai? Insiders share tips

By Pri Shewakramani and Purva Mehra, for CNN
Updated 9:31 PM EDT, Thu August 10, 2017
When we say visitors to Mumbai are over-stimulated in the best way, we're not exaggerating. Here's a guide to prepare you for the colorful experience of India's most populous city.
What to see in Mumbai —
When we say visitors to Mumbai are over-stimulated in the best way, we're not exaggerating. Here's a guide to prepare you for the colorful experience of India's most populous city.
PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Can one have too many chutneys in one go? Here's a papad sampler -- aloo papad, rice papad, applam, black pepper papad, banana chips, potato chips -- with a selection of chutneys from Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra, a modern Indian restaurant in Mumbai. Our restaurant selections -- from molecular Indian food to traditional Gujarati thali joints -- can be found below.
Adventures for taste buds —
Can one have too many chutneys in one go? Here's a papad sampler -- aloo papad, rice papad, applam, black pepper papad, banana chips, potato chips -- with a selection of chutneys from Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra, a modern Indian restaurant in Mumbai. Our restaurant selections -- from molecular Indian food to traditional Gujarati thali joints -- can be found below.
courtesy Masala Library
Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, or Bandra-Worli Sealink, is an eight-lane 5.6-kilometer-long bridge linking Bandra and Worli in South Mumbai. Fully opened in 2010, the bridge has become one of the city's new landmarks.
New landmark —
Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, or Bandra-Worli Sealink, is an eight-lane 5.6-kilometer-long bridge linking Bandra and Worli in South Mumbai. Fully opened in 2010, the bridge has become one of the city's new landmarks.
PAL PILLAI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Chhatrapati Shivaji railway terminus is one of the most beautiful buildings in Mumbai. Some say the Gothic architecture looks best when lit up at night.
Gothic architecture in technicolors —
The Chhatrapati Shivaji railway terminus is one of the most beautiful buildings in Mumbai. Some say the Gothic architecture looks best when lit up at night.
PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
On top of being the richest and most populous city in India, Mumbai is home to Bollywood. Indian Bollywood actress Isha Sharvani (center in the picture) performed during the Hindu festival Janmashtami, the birth of Hindu god Lord Krishna, in Mumbai in 2014.
Bollywood glamor —
On top of being the richest and most populous city in India, Mumbai is home to Bollywood. Indian Bollywood actress Isha Sharvani (center in the picture) performed during the Hindu festival Janmashtami, the birth of Hindu god Lord Krishna, in Mumbai in 2014.
STRDEL/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Chowpatty, a stretch of sand in Mumbai, hosts the annual festival of Ganesh. Indian Hindu devotees carry idols of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha and immerse them in the sea at the end of the 10-day festival as a part of a cleansing ritual.
The beach for the elephant-headed god —
Chowpatty, a stretch of sand in Mumbai, hosts the annual festival of Ganesh. Indian Hindu devotees carry idols of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha and immerse them in the sea at the end of the 10-day festival as a part of a cleansing ritual.
PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Ganesh Chaturthi is usually celebrated between August and September. The rest of the year, the beach is popular among Mumbaikars, especially in the evening. At Café By The Beach customers can enjoy a sunset along with a fresh juice (no alcohol is served here).
Chowpatty —
Ganesh Chaturthi is usually celebrated between August and September. The rest of the year, the beach is popular among Mumbaikars, especially in the evening. At Café By The Beach customers can enjoy a sunset along with a fresh juice (no alcohol is served here).
PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Not only is the city's <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/mumbais-dabbawalas-go-online/article7478641.ece" target="_blank" target="_blank">iconic dabbawala (lunchbox-delivery) service</a> still going strong, it's going digital this year. It's estimated that about 200,000 home-made tiffins are delivered to Mumbai office workers by a dabbawala or lunchbox deliveryman daily.
Army of dabbawalas —
Not only is the city's iconic dabbawala (lunchbox-delivery) service still going strong, it's going digital this year. It's estimated that about 200,000 home-made tiffins are delivered to Mumbai office workers by a dabbawala or lunchbox deliveryman daily.
PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
If there's one thing Mumbai knows, it's how to throw great parties. In March, this procession celebrated Gudhi Padva, or the Hindu new year for the people of Maharashtra state.
Celebrate, Mumbai style —
If there's one thing Mumbai knows, it's how to throw great parties. In March, this procession celebrated Gudhi Padva, or the Hindu new year for the people of Maharashtra state.
PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Ornate Victorian-style horse-drawn carriages have been strolling Mumbai's streets since British colonial times. Earlier this year the government announced the carriages would soon cease operations in the city to protect animal welfare.
End of Victorian carriages —
Ornate Victorian-style horse-drawn carriages have been strolling Mumbai's streets since British colonial times. Earlier this year the government announced the carriages would soon cease operations in the city to protect animal welfare.
INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Mumbai insider guide

Editor’s Note: CNN Insider Guides are thoroughly checked for accuracy. Given the fluid nature of the travel industry, however, some listings may fall out of date before guides can be updated. The best practice is to confirm current information on official websites before making plans to visit any business or attraction.

Mumbai, India CNN  — 

The best of Mumbai is heart-wrenching and energizing at the same time. Mumbai is India’s richest and most populous city. It’s home to Bollywood and the nation’s financial institutions. It also has the country’s biggest slum.

Potters in the Dhuravi neighborhood have been making this pottery for generations
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Prized pottery making in a Mumbai slum
02:12 - Source: CNN

So when we say Mumbai is a city of extremes, it’s not just for dramatic effect. The juxtapositions can be difficult for some travelers, but they also can be inspiring. Visitors to the city are over-stimulated in the best way. Here’s where to find the best of Mumbai:

Dining

The Bombay Canteen

Fruity and spicy punch (left) and a plate of tandoori pork spare ribs (right) start nights right at The Bombay Canteen.
Fruity and spicy punch (left) and a plate of tandoori pork spare ribs (right) start nights right at The Bombay Canteen.
courtesy Bombay Canteen

Since its launch in February,The Bombay Canteen has swiftly become the city’s favorite drinks and dining spot. Fans love its vintage decor, which recalls old Bombay, and its creative rendering of regional Indian cooking. The food is both familiar and unexpected.

Pulled pork vindaloo thepla (Indian flat bread) tacos, seafood bhel (puffed rice, vegetables, chutneys), kamal kakdi (lotus stem) chips, tandoori pork, masala chai popsicles with caramel sauce and rum-soaked gulab jamun (dumpling dessert made with thickened milk and rose-flavored syrup) – there