Onam, Kerala’s grandest festival, is as much about food as it is about flowers, rituals, and joy. At the heart of the celebration is the Onam Sadhya – a magnificent vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf with up to 25–30 dishes, from tangy pachadis to rich payasams. For Mumbaikars, this is the time when restaurants, hotels, and Kerala community groups open their kitchens for one of the year’s most-awaited meals. If you’re searching for the best Onam Sadhya in Mumbai 2025, here’s where to go.
Thiruvonam falls on Friday, September 5, 2025, but many places in Mumbai will host sadhyas from August 28 through September 7.
Where to Find the Best Onam Sadhya in Mumbai (2025)
1. Fifty Five East, Grand Hyatt Mumbai (BKC)
- What to expect: A festive Kerala sadya in Mumbai with over 25 traditional dishes served on a banana leaf in a luxury setting.
- When: Friday, September 5, lunch only.
- Price: Around INR 4,000++ per person.
- Why go: If you want grandeur, impeccable service, and the true festival spirit in one meal.
2. Saffron, Hyatt Centric Juhu
- What to expect: A sit-down, homely sadhya in Mumbai featuring avial, olan, erissery, thoran, pachadi, chips, pickles, and payasams.
- When: September 5–7 (lunch hours).
- Price: INR 1,500 + taxes.
- Why go: Excellent value for money and traditional flavours without the hotel buffet sprawl.
3. Dakshin, ITC Grand Central, Parel
- What to expect: A carefully curated Onam festival food experience featuring classics like payar thoran, kootu curry, avial, olan, kalan, erissery, and payasam.
- When: August 28 – September 7 (lunch & dinner).
- Price: INR 3,250 + taxes onwards.
- Why go: The city’s premier fine-dining South Indian restaurant – perfect for a long celebratory meal.
4. JW Marriott Juhu – Saffron
- What to expect: A lavish Onam sadhya Mumbai spread with live music and 20+ dishes, including sambharam, olan, pachadi, avial, and payasam.
- When: Friday, September 5 (lunch & dinner).
- Price: INR 4,000++ per person.
- Why go: Luxury hotel polish with a festive vibe right on the beach.
5. Kari Apla, Khar
- What to expect: A unique 22-dish feast that blends the vegetarian onam sadhya in Mumbai with non-veg highlights like Suriani squid roast, chicken pepper roast, and kappa-meen curry.
- When: September 5–7 (four seatings daily, pre-booking essential).
- Price: INR 2,100 per person.
- Why go: For those who love Kerala flavours but want a twist beyond the traditional.
6. HyLo, Kala Ghoda
- What to expect: A banana-leaf sadhya featuring Kerala red rice, dal with ghee, sambharam, multiple curries, and twin desserts (ada pradhaman & pal payasam).
- When: Friday, September 5 (12 pm – 5 pm).
- Price: INR 1,299++.
- Why go: Great location, authentic flavours, and affordable pricing for a proper sit-down meal.
7. Peshwa Pavilion, ITC Maratha, Andheri
- What to expect: A buffet-format Onam celebration in Mumbai with Kerala-inspired dishes woven into dinner buffets and a Sunday brunch.
- When: September 5–6 (dinner) & September 7 (brunch).
- Price: Dinner ~INR 3,000++, Brunch ~INR 3,300++.
- Why go: Ideal for those who prefer buffet dining with more variety.
8. Santosham, Bandra
- What to expect: A refined, modern take on the Kerala sadya in Mumbai while keeping the authenticity intact—expect a 20+ dish spread with all the festive essentials, beautifully plated in their signature contemporary style.
- When: September 5
- Price: INR 2,000– INR 2,500 per person.
- Why go: For a stylish, chef-driven sadhya that blends tradition with presentation flair – ideal if you want the feast in a chic Bandra setting.
What’s On The Leaf? (For First-Timers)
A typical Onam festival food lineup includes Kerala red rice, parippu with ghee, sambar, rasam, olan, avial, erissery, thoran, pachadis, pappadam, banana chips, pickle, buttermilk, and 2–3 payasams like palada pradhaman. Each dish balances sweet, sour, spicy, and tangy elements – making the meal a symphony on a banana leaf.
Summing Up
If you’re after a classic Kerala sadhya in Mumbai, you can’t go wrong with Grand Hyatt (BKC) or ITC Dakshin (Parel). For a mid-range, authentic meal, Hyatt Centric Juhu or HyLo Kala Ghoda are top picks. If you want something new, try Kari Apla’s innovative twist. And for a community-driven vibe, head to Kerala Café, Chembur.
Whatever your choice, remember to book early – these festive feasts sell out quickly. This Onam, let the banana leaf be your plate, and may your payasam bowl never run dry.
