Ling's Pavilion

For the best traditional Chinese food in Mumbai, cross the gaudily lit footbridge spanning a koi pond inside Ling’s Pavilion, the city’s oldest Chinese restaurant. On the other side is the two-level dining room with high-backed chairs flanking tables, each stacked with hard-bound menus that are as large and heavy as ledgers. This Colaba institution has looked the same throughout its 30-odd years—and so has the food—and we’re eternally thankful for its unchanging steadiness. We always go big when we’re here, so plan on over ordering. Get the hefty chunks of corn curd, silky steamed prawn wontons tossed in burnt garlic bits, spareribs in spicy black bean sauce, and Ling’s utterly fragrant claypot rice with mushrooms. Ask your server about the daily off-menu specials and order them in addition to the heavy hitters. 

photo credit: Vikas Munipalle