If you are in Mumbai, it’s unlikely you haven’t heard the term Khau galli. In Marathi, Khau means ‘food/eat’ and Galli means lane, or street. So Khau Galli means Food Street, or Food Lane. Mumbai being the haven for foodies with varying budgets, Khau gallis are found in plenty. But a word of caution, Khau gallis may not be popular with people who are too fussy about eating street food. But the actual flavor of any city exists in its street food like nothing else.
It’s a lane where you typically get chats like bhel-puri, pani-puri, sev batata puri or snacks like dosas, dhoklas, juices, vada pavs etc. These stalls are typically open from evening 6 to late in the night upto 1 am in some cases and there is always a throng of hungry Mumbaikars gorging away!!
There’s one in Churchgate, near Cross Maidan, on the lane connecting SNDTs Sunderbai Hall to Fashion Street. Here you can dig away at your favorite Pav Bhaji, Misal, Juices, juicy syrupy hot Jilebis, and even non-veg delicacies and gravies at the dhaba-like shack towards the Cross Maidan. The variety of street food here is awesome you name it and its there!
During Ramzan, every evening, the entire lane near Mohammed Ali Road, transforms itself into a spectacular Khau Galli with mouthwatering aromas wafting through the air and exotic foods, with the crowd tearing away at chicken and mutton delicacies, kebabs, malpuas, phirnis and faloodas.
The ‘khau galli’ off Carter Road, in posh sea-facing Bandra, serves shawarmas, sandwiches and the ilk. In middle-class Ghatkopar, they serve pav bhaaji, and other staple chats of Mumbai which are value for money.
Other cities too may have their own distinctive Khau gallis. When you are in Mumbai, don’t miss going to one of them for a unique gastronomical experience.

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