Key Takeaways
Mumbai: Dive into the city’s legendary street food scene with vada pav, pav bhaji, and pani puri.
Melbourne: Explore multicultural flavors with dishes like banh mi, bush croquettes, and artisan cheeses.
Guided Tours: Local guides enhance the experience by sharing cultural and historical insights.
Personalized Options: Private tours offer flexibility and a tailored culinary journey.
Leave no crumbs on these food tours in Mumbai and Melbourne
You know how they say an army marches on its stomach? Well, as a regular traveller, I can confirm the same is true for me. Food is one of the biggest cultural connections we make when we travel. And the best food is often found on small streetside stalls or hole in the wall joints that you would often overlook.
Street food is not about Michelin stars, fancy dress codes or propah cutlery - it’s about plastic stools, bright lights, and the clatter of a busy wok that rises above the din of city traffic.
But don’t let the fear of the unknown put you off. Checking out street food is an adventure in itself - whether you’re hunting for meatless options, battling hygiene standards, or just trying to figure out what to order on a menu you don’t understand. One tip I always swear by: go where the locals go. A stall buzzing with people usually means the food is fresh, affordable and worth every bite.
If it all feels a bit overwhelming, signing up for a food tour can make things much easier. With a local guide who knows the city’s culinary past and present, you not only skip the guesswork but also break the language barrier and learn the stories behind the dishes you’re tasting. So here’s a guide to food tours in two very different cities, Mumbai and Melbourne, united by one thing in common: a love for food, glorious food.
Mumbai
No Footprints Khau Gully street food walk offers a flavour-packed introduction to the city’s legendary street food scene. This three-hour guided walk, led by someone with a nose for the best, takes you through some of Mumbai’s most loved food spots, sampling 7 to 8 dishes on the go.
Along the way, you’ll try Mumbai’s iconic vada pav (a spiced mashed-potato fritter tucked inside a chutney-smeared bread – it’s soul satisfying carb on carb overload), stop by an atmospheric Irani café serving signature dishes like from masala-spiced mince to chicken patties, cooling the heat down with falooda, a colourful summer dessert layered with ice cream, vermicelli, jelly, rose syrup, nuts and basil seeds.
The tour wraps up at Chowpatty Beach, where you get to tuck into local favourites like pav bhaji (buttery mashed vegetables served with toasted pav bread) and bhel (a lively mix of puffed rice, boiled potato, minced onion and chutneys), to be enjoyed against the backdrop of crashing sea waves.
Cost: US$102 per person
A Chef’s Tour Mumbai food walk offers a deep dive into the city’s culinary heritage through a lively small-group four-hour guided experience. This tour is a great way to discover the city itself, since it takes you across varied neighbourhoods and offering the unmatched experience of a ride on Mumbai’s infamous “local” train, while stopping at historic eateries and beloved street stalls.
It’s a good idea to skip lunch and save precious stomach space for delicacies like pudla (a crisp and savoury pancake made with spiced gram-flour batter), mutton kheema (slow-cooked minced meat simmered with warming spices and served with soft pav), and pani puri (hollow puris filled with potatoes and chickpeas, dunked in tangy, chilli-spiked tamarind water). The tour also includes sweet treats like moong dal halwa (a rich dessert of slow-roasted lentils cooked with ghee, sugar and nuts).
The walk becomes a culinary and cultural exploration of Mumbai as tales of the city’s old Irani cafés, unique Parsi kitchens, and popular food customs come alive.
Cost: US$45 per person
Melbourne
Strap on your most comfy walking shoes for The Secret Food Tours experience in Melbourne, a fun 3-hour guided walk that takes you into the city’s famous alleyways and arcades, dipping in and out of hidden corners for a taste of 8 dishes that reflect Melbourne’s multicultural food scene. In between the food stops, you will get to hear about the role of the city’s immigrant communities in shaping Melbourne’s reputation as Australia’s culinary capital.
Expect lots of bite-sized bits like bush croquettes (crispy golden fritters filled with indigenous ingredients), Vegemite bites (savory toast topped with the Aussie salty yeast spread), and Italian focaccia (soft, olive-oil brushed bread topped with herbs). And then there are handcrafted local cheeses and artisanal chocolates, often paired with native wines and a specialty coffee tasting that celebrates the city’s legendary café culture.
Cost: US$106 per person
And finally, the food tour for those willing to spend the time and money for an unhurried and customised experience - The Localing “Melbourne Street Eats – Private Day Tour”. Set aside the entire day for this tour that takes anywhere from 6-7 hours and provides a scintillating glimpse into the city’s diverse food culture that is influenced by its many incomers over the centuries.
The tour gives you a chance to sample banh mi (a Vietnamese baguette stuffed with grilled meats, pickled vegetables, herbs and chilli), fresh seafood from local markets, and artisan cheeses (including some fine aged specialties produced by regional Australian cheesemakers). There are also stops for Melbourne’s gourmet coffees as well as Italian-influenced dishes featuring handmade pasta or wood-fired pizza topped with olive oil, herbs and slow-cooked sauces.
Due to the tour’s personalised, the dishes can range from modern Australian cuisine to Asian fusion meals in Chinatown – all of them served up with stories of their origins and evolution over time in this vibrant city.
Cost: Varies by type of tour
FAQs
1. Why should I join a food tour?
Food tours offer a guided experience to explore local cuisines, break language barriers, and learn the cultural stories behind dishes.
2. Are food tours suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, most food tours cater to dietary preferences. Always inform the tour operator in advance.
3. How do I choose between Mumbai and Melbourne food tours?
Choose Mumbai for vibrant street food and cultural heritage. Opt for Melbourne if you prefer a mix of gourmet and multicultural cuisines.
4. Are food tours family-friendly?
Yes, many food tours are family-friendly, but it’s best to check with the operator for specific age restrictions.