Indian street food
Mumbai street food, explained.
Mumbai’s street food is fast, cheap and bold, built around soft pav bread, spicy potato and chutneys. Here are the classics and what to try in Ottawa.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 1 min read
Signature
Vada pav
Bread
Pav
Tea
Cutting chai
At Tapri Chai
7 of them
01
The bread-based classics
Mumbai’s snacks revolve around pav, the soft bread roll:
- Vada pav: the spiced potato fritter in a bun.
- Pav bhaji: buttery vegetable mash with toasted buns.
- Misal pav: a spicy sprouted bean curry with pav.
- Dabeli: from nearby Gujarat, but common in Mumbai.
- Bun maska: a buttered bun, from the Irani cafes.
02
Chaat and snacks
Chaat from Mumbai’s beaches and corners includes pani puri, bhel puri, sev puri and dahi puri, with a mix of crisp, sweet, sour and spicy. Ragda pattice, potato patties with white pea curry, is another favourite.
03
Rolls and sandwiches
The Bombay sandwich is a grilled vegetable sandwich with green chutney, and the frankie is a spiced roll. Both are sold from carts and small shops across the city.
04
Chai and cold drinks
Cutting chai, a half glass of strong tea, is the city’s everyday drink. Masala soda, falooda and fresh sugarcane juice are summer favourites.
05
What to try at Tapri Chai
These Mumbai favourites are on our menu in Barrhaven:
- Vada Pav, $5.49
- Pav Bhaji, $13.99
- Bombay Frankie, $9.99
- Bombay Masala, $12.99
- Bun Maska, $3.49
- Pani Puri, $9.99
- Dahi Puri, $11.99
Questions, answered.
What is Mumbai’s most famous street food?
Vada pav, the spiced potato fritter in a bun, is the best known.
What is pav?
A soft, slightly sweet bread roll, baked in a tray so the rolls touch.
Can I try Mumbai street food in Ottawa?
Yes. Tapri Chai in Barrhaven serves vada pav, pav bhaji, frankies, bun maska and chaat.
Is Mumbai street food vegetarian?
Much of it is. All of Tapri Chai’s menu is.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.