7 best Indian seafood restaurants in Mumbai

Within its city limits Mumbai contains a coastal mix of Indian seafood ranging from Malvan to Bengal.

Kane, the local ladyfish, fried-up and served at Fresh Catch -- a less well-known, but excellent home-style seafood …

Thanks to its large multi-ethnic population and location on the Arabian Sea, Mumbai is blessed with an abundance of choice when it comes to seafood.

The list below reflects the best coastal Indian cuisine from Malvan to Bengal, and the Mumbai restaurants that do a fine job of keeping their food tasting authentic.

Some of these eating places are so small and so good they don't have, or even need, a website.

Chef Ananda Solomon's sophisticated kitchen at Konkan Café.Konkan Café: Best fine-dine option

Designed to recreate a seaside bungalow on the palm-fringed Malabar coast, the warm, muted colors are welcoming at this fine-dining seafood restaurant at the Vivanta by Taj hotel.

Likewise, the food is equally inviting.
 
It is the brainchild of chef Ananda Solomon, who spent months in people’s homes down south, gleaning secret skills from wizened old ladies whom he persuaded to share their recipes.
 
No wonder it’s all about seasonal freshness and flavor here, and even the cooking is done in earthenware vessels.
 
Linger over the seafood display before you make your choices from this coconut-rich cuisine.
 
The average tab per head without alcohol comes to Rs 1,250; not very pricey considering it’s in a five-star hotel.
 
Know your menu: Curdee (prawns) mango; Mangalorean fish curry; meen polichattu (fish in banana leaves); pomfret recheado and the seafood thali.
 
Vivanta by Taj -- President, 90 Cuffe Parade; +91 0 (22) 66650808; www.vivantabytaj.com

Lunch: 12:30 p.m.–3 p.m., dinner: 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

Trishna's famous butter, pepper, garlic crab.Trishna: Best tourist trap

Even though it’s a cramped inside and located in an obscure by-lane in the business district, Trishna is a big draw for the international traveler as well as the local Mumbaikar.

Even though a steady stream of tourists has slowly made the waiters jaded, what brings locals back are some of the plumpest crustaceans and fish on offer in the city.

Even though the cuisine is primarily Mangalorean, a few dishes can be traced back to Hyderabadi influence.

A good meal here should set you back by about Rs 1,800 per head, not counting alcohol.

Know your menu: Crab, either with butter garlic or as a gassi, a fiery red curry; prawns Koliwada, (the medium or small-sized prawns are tastier); butter garlic squid; ravas Hyderabadi; lobster kalimiri.
 
Sai Baba Marg, Kala Ghoda, Fort; +91 (0)22 2270 3213

Lunch: Noon–3:30 p.m.; dinner: 6:15 p.m.–12.30 a.m.

Highway Gomantak is value for money.Highway Gomantak: Best Goan

"It’s Goan food certified by the Goans," says Ramesh Potnis, the owner of Highway Gomantak.

Infuriated at being passed over for promotion in the corporate world, Potnis quit and turned his focus to food.

Using age-old family recipes, he got his wife to rustle up 10 dishes that they served in their garden.

As Highway Gomantak’s reputation spread, he turned it from a backyard operation to a fully fledged restaurant.

The kitchen, still supervised by his wife and children, lures the office crowd from the nearby Bandra Kurla Complex during lunch hours. The evenings are more relaxed, with families and children taking in a leisurely meal.

A delicious repast for one will cost about Rs 300, and half that if you just have the set-meal thaali.

Superb value.

Know your menu: Prawns fry; tisriya (clams) masala; chanak fish fry; fried mussels; fish thali and the local Bombil fish fry.
 
44/2179 Pranav Co-op. Housing Society, Gandhi Nagar, Highway Service Road, Bandra (E); +91 (0)22 2640 9692; www.highwaygomantak.com

Lunch: 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., dinner: 7–10:30 p.m., Thursday closed.