Bandra, a vibrant suburb of Mumbai, has become one of the city’s most celebrated destinations for Christmas. Each year, from early December through New Year’s, its streets, lanes and promenades are adorned with Christmas lights, festive décor and seasonal bazaars. Locals and visitors alike head to this neighbourhood for a uniquely Mumbai blend of holiday cheer, seaside strolls, community traditions and cosy cafés. Among these, Candies Café stands out as a local favourite – known for its eclectic ambience, multi-level seating and extensive menu – making it a natural stop on any Bandra Christmas itinerary.
This article explains how to experience Christmas at Candies Bandra like someone who lives there: the best times to visit, what to order, how to avoid long waits, where to sit, how to pair your visit with other festive activities, and local tips for a smooth experience.
Candies Bandra: What It Is and How It Feels
Candies is a long-running café with several outlets in Bandra. The original and most iconic location is in a Portuguese-villa style building on Pali Hill, near Learners Academy School. It has been a part of Bandra’s café scene for decades, offering a mix of sandwiches, rolls, salads, desserts and drinks across indoor and outdoor seating levels. Its winding staircases, eclectic décor and terrace nooks give it a distinctive charm that residents and frequent visitors associate with leisurely hangouts. The café’s website describes three branches across Bandra, each with its own character.
Candies typically operates from about 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM, and is closed on Mondays.
Best Time to Visit Candies During Christmas
Candies draws crowds year-round, but during the Christmas season demand increases noticeably:
- Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends.
- Early mornings or mid-afternoons often have shorter queues than lunch and dinner peaks.
- December evenings get busier as locals combine café visits with dusk strolls around Bandra’s decorated streets.
What to Order at Candies: Local Favourites
While Candies does not release a formal seasonal menu for Christmas, its regular menu contains perennial favourites that locals order repeatedly. These include:
- Chicken Sandwiches and Croissant Sandwiches — described as popular choices.
- Mutton Puff — a frequently recommended snack.
- Quiche, Chocolate Ganache and Banana Pudding — highlighted in food reviews.
- Cupcakes, cakes and assorted desserts, often spotted at the counter.
- Cold coffee and a range of beverages that visitors often mention.
Candies bakes many of its breads and pastries in-house, including croissants, baguettes and loaves, and has cultivated a reputation for a wide range of menu items prepared daily. Its longest-standing menu item is said to be the chicken sandwich.
If you are specifically seeking traditional Christmas items such as plum cake, yule log or other seasonal bakes, these are widely available across Bandra’s neighbourhood bakeries – such as Jude’s Cold Storage, A1 Bakery, and others – and should be explored as a complement to your Candies stop. Walking from Candies to these bakeries is a common local pattern during December.
How to Avoid Queues at Candies in Christmas Week
Candies operates on a self-service model: customers place orders at the counter and then choose seating. During peak December days, especially evenings and weekends, queues can grow. We would recommend:
- Arriving early — right at opening time to beat the rush.
- Visiting on weekdays — less crowd pressure than weekends or Christmas Eve.
- Dining slightly earlier or later than typical mealtimes — avoiding 1–3 PM and 7–9 PM peaks.
- Ordering takeaway — particularly if you plan to stroll nearby streets like Hill Road, Carter Road or Chapel Road for lights and festive displays.
Long queues for popular items like cold coffee have been reported, so arrive prepared for a short wait during the busiest holiday days.
Best Seating Areas at Candies
Candies’ Pali Hill outlet features multiple levels and seating zones:
- Terrace and outdoor nooks are favourite spots for capturing the ambience and enjoying mild December weather.
- Indoor spaces, including the distinctive “Room of Lamps,” provide cosy seating when outdoor slots are full.
- Corner nooks and steps often offer quieter seating for conversation or solo visits.
Because the café is multi-storey and somewhat maze-like, exploring different levels will often help you find a comfortable spot even during peak hours. Locals appreciate the varied spaces as much as the food itself.
Candies Bandra Christmas Vibe in Context
Bandra itself transforms into a festive centre each December. From Chapel Road’s famously decorated bungalows to the twinkling lights along Carter Road Promenade and pop-ups and markets on Hill Road, the neighbourhood’s Christmas energy is widely reported in local media. Cafés, streets and small businesses embrace seasonal décor, creating a collective atmosphere rather than a single curated event. Bandra’s festive lights and décor have been highlighted in 2025 news coverage as an integral part of Mumbai’s Christmas vibe.
Practical Tips for Enjoying Christmas at Candies
- Parking near Pali Hill can be limited during holiday season crowds. Many locals choose ride-hail services or two-wheelers to avoid parking hassles.
- Combine your visit with a walk to Chapel Road, Hill Road and Carter Road for festive lights and street scenes.
- Reserve time for neighbourhood bakeries to pick up traditional Christmas treats that Candies does not officially list on its menu.
- Plan ahead for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, when Bandra’s footfall peaks and public transport becomes busier.
Comparing Candies with Other Bandra Christmas Stops
Candies is best appreciated as part of a Bandra Christmas circuit rather than a standalone destination. It offers a relaxed café experience with food, ambience and flexible seating, contrasting with more overtly festive venues or dinner-centric restaurants. Locals often pair Candies with street walking, lights viewing and visits to Bandra’s coastal promenades for a fuller holiday experience.
Summing Up
Candies offers a warm, familiar Bandra Christmas experience – comfort food, cosy multi-level seating, and a relaxed festive vibe. Time your visit well, pair it with nearby lights and bakeries, and you’ll enjoy the neighbourhood exactly as locals do: unhurried, charming and effortlessly festive.
