Mumbai’s Udupi restaurants have quite literally shaped Mumbai’s food culture. These restaurants rose to prominence in the 80s and 90s and have since then maintained a glorious legacy spanning over decades. One such iconic restaurant in Mumbai is A. Rama Nayak & Sons in Matunga. The restaurant, celebrating its 97th anniversary, is one of the city’s most iconic Udupi restaurants. So, we decided to visit and see if it lives up to its hype as part of our Dine and Dish series.
In the Dine and Dish series, we explore various restaurants and provide honest recommendations on whether you should dine there. Continue reading to discover our adventure at A. Rama Nayak & Sons.
About A. Rama Nayak & Sons
Rama Nayak was only 11 years old when he lost his father. With him being the sole person responsible for taking care of his mother and sister, he decided to migrate to Mumbai from Mangalore. When he came to Mumbai in 1913, he worked as a helper to a female cook in Santacruz. Eventually, he took cooking seriously and cooked hundreds of meals for people, including famous freedom fighter, Sane Guruji.
Years later in 1942, Sane Guruji inaugurated Nayak’s Udipi Shri Krishna Boarding. He served affordable, vegetarian meals to people looking for delicious, homely meals. The legacy that he crafted is being run by his son, Satish Nayak. Rama Nayak was known as the ‘King of Rasam’, known for his excellent understanding of Udupi flavors and cuisine. Today, the restaurant is still famous for being the birthplace of the best rasam in Mumbai.
First Impressions: Yay or Nay?
As we entered the restaurant, we were surprised to find a long line stretching out. Even on a weekday, the place is known for its crowd – often found in a long line. We waited in the line and managed to get ourselves a seat in the restaurant. Note that you must get yourself a coupon to order food here. We were quite excited to see what will happen next.
Food And Drinks At A. Rama Nayak & Sons
After waiting in the line and securing a seat, we were quickly served our food. Though the space felt a little crammed, we gave the place full points for hygiene. The set menu here is purely vegetarian and includes over 10 dishes neatly served on a banana leaf – the traditional way of eating food.
These food items include dishes like rice, rasam, different stir-fried vegetables, as well as sides like pickles and papadums. Oh, and did we mention that the chaas (buttermilk) served here is absolutely delicious? It was light and flavorful, but if it would’ve been a little cold its refreshing taste would have enhanced.
We found the food delicious – it felt homely and well-made. It is quite difficult to find eateries where you still get the authentic ‘homely’ taste, but A. Rama Nayak & Sons excels in this department.
Then came the dish we were most eager to try – rasam, after all the place is known to have been established by the ‘King of Rasam’. It was delicious, wholesome, and hearty, however, we felt that we have had better rasam before. It was decent but it didn’t meet our high expectations. On the contrary, the sambar served with the food was absolutely delightful. Even though a thali might get overwhelming and heavy, the food was light and we absolutely enjoyed every dish on the plate.
For desserts, we tried the gulab jamun and the rasgulla. The rasgulla was a bit hard, meaning it hadn’t absorbed much of the sugar syrup. On the other hand, the gulab jamun was soft, moist, and had a subtle flavor of cardamom.
Note that the menu keeps changing occasionally depending on the availability of food items. As it is mango season, you’ll find a few mango-based dishes on their menu as of April 2025.
Service And Price At A. Rama Nayak & Sons
The service was quite quick – so quick that it felt a little rushed. We managed to finish our meal in just 30 minutes. If you’re someone who does not like waiting for food, you’ll certainly love it here. However, if you like the experience to be slow and relaxing, you might not be pleased with the rushed service.
Speaking of the prices, we paid a bill of INR 600 for two people, we think the price is quite reasonable. Especially, when you are served an unlimited, homely, and healthy meal. You must definitely visit the place when you’re craving for authentic South Indian food.
View this post on Instagram
Timings: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, closed on Thursdays
Address: Shop No. 2/461-A, Ram Nivas, King’s Circle, Maheshwari Udyan, Matunga Central Railway Workshop, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400019
Summing Up
Did we like the food? Absolutely! The food is quite wholesome, homely, and comforting, offering you a tour of South India. Plus, the service is quick, efficient, and affordable. A. Rama Nayak & Sons does a commendable job at maintaining Rama Nayak’s legacy and his passion for providing comforting food for anyone who shows up at the restaurant. So, when are you visiting the restaurant?
