If there’s one place in Mumbai known for its Ramadan celebrations, it has to be Mohammad Ali Road. The place is known for its vibrant food and cloth markets and elaborately built mosques. If you’re observing Ramadan and looking for a great Iftar spot, Mohammad Ali Road is just the right place for you! Keep reading to know more about how to reach, things to do, and a lot more!
Mohammad Ali Road: All The Details You Must Know!
How To Reach
The easiest way to reach Mohammad Ali Road is to get down at Masjid Railway Station located on the Central Railway Line. From the station, you must head to the station’s West side and walk for 10 to 15 minutes. The Crawford Market and Bhendi Bazaar, two other important markets of Mumbai are located close to Mohammad Ali Road.
Alternatively, you can take a cab from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to get here.
From the Mumbai International Airport, this locality is about 20 kilometers south. You can get a cab from the airport to reach Mohammad Ali Road.
Navigating Through Mohammad Ali Road
It can be quite easy to get lost in the plenty of narrow lanes and streets here, so we recommend keeping a GPS Map handy on your mobile device at all times.
The road isn’t just one long stretch of road, but rather a network of a few small yet bustling streets filled with food stalls and eateries. We recommend visiting the street right opposite Minara Masjid and the street right next to Saifee Masjid. There are plenty of restaurants scattered around here as well as small food stalls and eateries serving a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
The roads can get especially crowded during the evening, so we recommend being careful while navigating at this time. You’ll likely witness rash drivers and traffic here, so cross the roads with utmost care!
Can Vegetarians Visit Mohammad Ali Road?
There is a common misconception that this food market only sells meat options and isn’t suitable for vegetarians. However, we’d like to clear out that there are enough options for vegetarians as well. Be it rich fruit juices and milkshakes or samosas, different kinds of bread, and sweetmeats, there are plenty of options for those staying away from meat. So, it is safe to say that Mohammad Ali Road is a haven for foodies, regardless of your dietary preferences.
Things To Try At Mohammad Ali Road
No matter how many places we recommend, they’ll always be less as the options here are endless. Each street hosts a plethora of food stalls that sell a variety of items – from juices and sweet dishes to meat dishes and savory snacks, they serve it all.
We highly recommend checking out the street right opposite to the Minara Masjid. As you enter the street, you’ll be greeted by Suleiman Usman Mithaiwala’s iconic bakery. This bakery claims it has no branch.
Enter the shop and you’ll be delighted with a wide selection of sweetmeats, from traditional halwa and nankhatai to rasmalai and the iconic aflatoon. The shop is almost always full of enthusiastic customers looking to get their hands on the freshest mithai, so we recommend that you check it out too!
Just a few steps away, you’ll find a small stall selling a wide variety of fruit juices. And it is here that you will find the iconic Mohabbat Ka Sharbat! The classic Old Delhi invention has impressed Mumbaikars as you will find plenty of stalls selling this pink milk-based drink. With only milk, ice, and watermelon, this drink is enough to refresh and rejuvenate your senses. We tried this unique drink for INR 30 and it was absolutely worth it!
The stall owner that we talked to stated that the drink is the most popular item here during Ramadan. He further stated that people insist on more watermelon chunks in their drink as it is a refreshing fruit.
Nalli Nihari, Kebabs, Mini Samosas, And More
Now that you’ve tried out this famous drink, it’s time to explore the variety of stalls and eateries here. Visit Noor Mohammadi Hotel for their delicious chicken varieties, including the famous Sanju Baba Chicken named after Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt. Don’t forget to stop by at the Chinese N Grill as well! While the name might be a bit misleading, the restaurant serves some authentic Nalli Nihari that you must try!
If you find kebabs and tikkas enticing, you must stop by at Bismillah Corner that serves them in the most juicy and flavorful way possible. Don’t forget to try shawarmas at various stalls here as the variety is just never-ending. And, of course, stop by at the Noorani Milk Center to try out the sugary sweet goodness of malpua, masala milk, and phirnis.
Oh, and did we mention that you need not go to Hyderabad to try out authentic Hyderabadi Haleem? Mohammad Ali Road is famous for its Hyderabadi Badami Haleem – a thick, creamy dish made with meat, lentils, and pounded wheat topped with dried nuts.
Just when we were about to leave, we came across a humble man, Mohammad Raees, selling mini samosas on the streetside. He greeted us with a warm smile and said that he’s been doing this for well over 30 years – almost 3 decades! He sells 4 samosas for INR 20, and we tried 6 of them for INR 30. The samosa was crispy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. As we munched on these tiny snacks, we asked how many samosas he sells each day. He brightly exclaimed, “1000 to 1200”. He also added that during Ramadan, he manages to sell about 4000 mini samosas a day!
Tips For Mohammad Ali Road
- Arrive early, ideally just before sunset, as the crowd is comparatively less at that time. As sunset approaches, the crowd starts increasing here.
- Carry cash with you! While we went with the hopes of being able to pay digitally, there aren’t many stalls and eateries accepting digital payments. For people here, traditional cash is still the way to go.
- Try out savory and spicy items first and then the sweet desserts for a delightful experience.
- Carry a pocket hand sanitizer with you as the place isn’t the most hygienic you’ll come across.
- While walking, be mindful of cars, bikes, and people! Many drivers drive around in a rash manner here, especially on the main road, so stay alert!
- Wear appropriate clothing when visiting the markets, especially if you are visiting the place during Ramadan. If you’re entering mosques, make sure you wear place-appropriate clothing and respect the local customs and rituals.
- Instead of boarding a cab or walking from the CSMT Station, it is best recommended to walk down from the Masjid Station. The distance is comparatively less and you’ll be amazed with the vibrant streets of Masjid!
Summing Up
Mumbai might have many places for a rewarding Iftar experience during Ramadan, but none can come close to the one at Mohammad Ali Road. From brightly lit shops decorated with an assortment of mithai to street stalls wafting with the aroma of freshly made food, you are in for a treat!
FAQs
What Is The Significance Of Dates For Ramadan?
Dates are quite significant in Islam, as it is believed that the Messenger of Allah would break his fast with ripe dates. This is why it is customary to break Ramadan fasts with dates.
Which Is The Nearest Local Station To Mohammed Ali Road?
The Masjid Railway Station on the Central Railway Line is the closest railway local station to Mohammad Ali Road. You simply need to walk for 12 to 15 minutes before you reach the vibrant food market.
Why Is Bhendi Bazaar Famous?
Bhendi Bazaar is famous for its antique shops which were especially popular back in the day. A famous urban lore says that this area, which lied in the north of the Crawford Market, was called ‘behind the Bazaar’ by the British. The locals, unable to understand the heavy accent, eventually started calling it ‘Bhendi Bazaar’.
