Kala Ghoda Arts Festival: Best things to do in the neighbourhood under Rs 500

FOODPuri vasool For over a century this eatery in the bylanes near Mumbai GPO has been serving delicious Indian snacks and thaalis keeping things simple but eversatisfying Whether itrsquos the puris or dahi puri the flavours here hit the right notes making it an easy stop for a tasty and affordable mealAT Pancham Puriwala Perin Nariman Street Fort TIME 9 am to 11 pm COST R60 onwardsSouth Indian sojourn A Fort favourite continues to uphold its reputation for serving excellent South Indian vegetarian fare From dosas to vadas and idlis each dish is prepared with care and consistency The variety of snacks makes it an ideal spot for any time of day be it for breakfast lunch or a quick evening snack Some bestsellers include the masala dosa and medu vada served with sambar and chutneyAT Poornima Restaurant Muddanna Shetty Marg FortTIME Monday to Saturday 730 am to 8 pm Sundays 730 am to 5 pm COST R100 onwardsThaalis at the popular puri haunt in Fort Pics courtesyInstagramLatenight snack haven In a back alley near the bustle of the festival this gem offers a nofrills experience with a focus on latenight comfort food The mutton baida roti and the chicken tikka roll are crowdpleasers giving you the energy needed to dive back into the festivitiesAT Ayubrsquos restaurant Sassoon Building 43 Forbes Street Kala Ghoda TIME 430 pm to 130 am COST R200 onwardsEXPERIENCEWalk in the Estate Stroll through quaint and wellplanned treelined streets that offer an oasis of calm away from the bustle of the Fort A perfect spot for photography and an Irani meal at Britannia and CompanyAT Ballard EstateA couple enjoys an EVictoria ride at Nariman Point File picGreen getaway Unwind while enjoying a stunning view of the Rajabai Clock Tower Bombay High Court and adjacent buildings as well as the grand Art Deco apartments that line the opposite edgeAT Oval Maidan ChurchgateRide into nostalgia Hop on an ecofriendly EVictoria for a breezy ride along the seafacing promenades for a scenic and nostalgic way to see South MumbaiAT Near Gateway of India and Marine Drive LOG ON TO uboridez_india COST R500 for short tripsDRINKSugarcane juice in paper cupsSweet simplicity After you move away from the main hub of the festival stop by a refreshing sugarcane juice stall You can enjoy a freshly pressed cup of sugarcane juice mdash a sweet and energising way to beat the Mumbai heat while soaking in the art and cultureAT Outside the National Gallery of Modern Art opposite the main gate of CSMVS Museum COST R25The fresh fruit juice kioskA fresh burst Located just opposite the Colaba Causeway this tiny juice kiosk serves up a variety of refreshing juices and milkshakes After a busy day of festival fun treat yourself to tangy fruit blends and creamy shakesAT New Poornima Juice Centre Apollo Bunder Colaba TIME 9 am to 1130 pm COST R50 onwardsColaba staple For most Mumbaikars a visit to this bar is almost a rite of passage Located behind the iconic Taj Mahal Palace this casual spot offers an extensive selection of beers starting at an affordable price Itrsquos perfect for a chilled drink with friends after a day of festival funAT Gokul Bar and Restaurant Apollo Bunder ColabaTIME 11 am to 130 am COST R110 onwardsSHOPA wide range of jewellery on display at Colaba CausewaySoBorsquos horizontal mall This is a shopperrsquos paradise blending highend brands with affordable alternatives For a mix of both explore a variety of jewellery quirky phone covers and all things denim at stalls behind Cafe Mondegar which is a fiveminute walk from the main venue of the festival If yoursquore in the mood for a thrift store find Cotton Colour near BEST Electric House offers a variety of preloved items Whether yoursquore windowshopping or on a budget yoursquoll find treasures at every turnAT Colaba Causeway TIME 1030 am to 9 pm all daysPaper sanctuary Fort has a hidden haven for paper lovers Choose from ecofriendly greeting cards made with dried leaves to intricate gift tags and DIY boxesAT Chimanlals Wallace Street off DN Road Fort TIME 930 am to 530 pm COST R36 per sheet handmade paperReadersrsquo paradise For book enthusiasts the secondhand booksellers near Flora Fountain are a mustvisit The rare finds and classic novels at these stalls offer a delightful treasure hunt for readers If yoursquore willing to haggle you might just walk away with a bulk of literary treasures for a stealAT Flora Fountain opposite HSBC Bank Fort TIME 10 am to 830 pm all daysWATCHOldworld cine charm In a city where singlescreen theatres are becoming increasingly rare Regal Cinema stands as a 92yearold gem Offering affordable tickets and movie time snacks itrsquos the perfect spot to catch the latest releasesAT Regal Cinema Colaba LOG ON TO inbookmyshowcom COST R100 onwards