Pav bhaji
The pav bhaji is repeatedly praised for its buttery, Mumbai-style flavour and soft pav.
Mumbai Express Restaurant and Cafe
Al Karama
Mumbai Express Restaurant and Cafe is a vegetarian spot in Al Karama built around Mumbai street-food favourites. It is especially known for pav bhaji and vada pav, with chaat, sandwiches and other Indian comfort food for dine-in or takeaway.
Reputation Score
4.2
★★★★☆
1,879 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Mumbai flavour
Reviews describe the vada pav, dabeli and chaat as close to the street-food experience people miss from Mumbai.
Vegetarian range
Beyond snacks, the menu includes South Indian, sandwiches, Indo-Chinese dishes and desserts such as falooda and kulfi.
Warm welcome
Several long-term customers mention friendly, personal service, including remembered regulars and welcome drinks.
Late hours
The restaurant is reported to stay open until 1 am, with both indoor and outdoor seating.
What to Eat at Mumbai Express Restaurant and Cafe How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For Mumbai Express Restaurant and Cafe, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
These items at Mumbai Express Restaurant and Cafe got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 2
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Pav bhaji Net +22
“The pav bhaji here is the best pav bhaji in Dubai, it’s as close as it gets to what you actually get on the streets in Mumbai.”
Positive 23Negative 1
Review excerpts
“The pav bhaji here is the best pav bhaji in Dubai, it’s as close as it gets to what you actually get on the streets in Mumbai.”May 2026
“The food. As hyped Pav Bhaji was amazing. Guys you must try”December 2025
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Vada pav Net +11
“Vada Pav is authentic - you get Kirti Vada pav, Shivaji park Vada pav etc here.”
Positive 11Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Vada Pav is authentic - you get Kirti Vada pav, Shivaji park Vada pav etc here.”February 2026
“Ordered few items from Mumbai Express (Karama) lately of which Vada Pav and Dabeli were fantastic! Also their Masala chai was hot and authentic.”September 2023
Honorable mentions (22)
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Cheese masala papad Net +2
“They have an extensive menu. We tried a variety of items from their list some being Pav Bhaji, Manchow Soup, Masala Papad, Schewan Masala Dosa, Soya Chilly, Chilly Idli, Cheese Masala Papad, Grilled Cheese papad. We ended our meal with Masala tea & Fruit Custard. Everything was good but the best was the Pav Bhaji which was just like the one we get in Mumbai. Perfect colour, taste & buttery.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“They have an extensive menu. We tried a variety of items from their list some being Pav Bhaji, Manchow Soup, Masala Papad, Schewan Masala Dosa, Soya Chilly, Chilly Idli, Cheese Masala Papad, Grilled Cheese papad. We ended our meal with Masala tea & Fruit Custard. Everything was good but the best was the Pav Bhaji which was just like the one we get in Mumbai. Perfect colour, taste & buttery.”December 2020
“Grilled Cheese papad & Cheese Masala Papad was one of the few which was also which looks very beautiful with an amazing taste.”December 2020
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Cheese pav bhaji Net +2
“Got the cheese pav bhaji, which seemed expensive for ten usd. However, the place has AC, and I bet that’s not cheap around here. Very tasty food: I might be back.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Got the cheese pav bhaji, which seemed expensive for ten usd. However, the place has AC, and I bet that’s not cheap around here. Very tasty food: I might be back.”July 2025
“We had Cheese Pav Bhaji and Normal Pav Bhaji. The quality of the Pav is very soft and with masala which makes it very tasty.”March 2019
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Chilli idli Net +2
“We tried something new that is Schewan Masala Dosa & Chilli Idli which I never had earlier and it was very very tasty & you didn't even requires shambhar or chutney.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried something new that is Schewan Masala Dosa & Chilli Idli which I never had earlier and it was very very tasty & you didn't even requires shambhar or chutney.”December 2020
“They have an extensive menu. We tried a variety of items from their list some being Pav Bhaji, Manchow Soup, Masala Papad, Schewan Masala Dosa, Soya Chilly, Chilly Idli, Cheese Masala Papad, Grilled Cheese papad. We ended our meal with Masala tea & Fruit Custard. Everything was good but the best was the Pav Bhaji which was just like the one we get in Mumbai. Perfect colour, taste & buttery.”December 2020
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Dahi papdi chaat Net +2
“Enjoyed all the dishes that we ordered, 10 on 10 for everything, bombay sandwich, dahi papdi chaat, ragda chaat, pav bhaji, mango milkshake, quick bite dabeli.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Enjoyed all the dishes that we ordered, 10 on 10 for everything, bombay sandwich, dahi papdi chaat, ragda chaat, pav bhaji, mango milkshake, quick bite dabeli.”June 2026
“Papdi Chaat- This is probably the best Papdi Chaat in the whole of UAE. So consistent, great presentation absolute in taste; right combination of sweet, sour and tangy. Just out of the world! At 17 Dhs this might seem a tad expensive but believe me you won’t regret it.”June 2019
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Grilled cheese papad Net +2
“Grilled Cheese papad & Cheese Masala Papad was one of the few which was also which looks very beautiful with an amazing taste.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Grilled Cheese papad & Cheese Masala Papad was one of the few which was also which looks very beautiful with an amazing taste.”December 2020
“They have an extensive menu. We tried a variety of items from their list some being Pav Bhaji, Manchow Soup, Masala Papad, Schewan Masala Dosa, Soya Chilly, Chilly Idli, Cheese Masala Papad, Grilled Cheese papad. We ended our meal with Masala tea & Fruit Custard. Everything was good but the best was the Pav Bhaji which was just like the one we get in Mumbai. Perfect colour, taste & buttery.”December 2020
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Kulfi Net +2
“Kulfi- Another mesmerising and very popular dessert of Mumbai Express is the Kulfi. A kulfi is an Indian answer to the Ice Cream; the word is of Persian origin and dates back to the Mughal Empire during the reign of Akbar the great. Kulfi is much thicken and creamier when compared to ice cream and healthier too since unlike ice cream it uses No Preservatives! Mumbai Express makes its own kulfi and it’s ravishing, rich and creamy.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Kulfi- Another mesmerising and very popular dessert of Mumbai Express is the Kulfi. A kulfi is an Indian answer to the Ice Cream; the word is of Persian origin and dates back to the Mughal Empire during the reign of Akbar the great. Kulfi is much thicken and creamier when compared to ice cream and healthier too since unlike ice cream it uses No Preservatives! Mumbai Express makes its own kulfi and it’s ravishing, rich and creamy.”June 2019
“The Gadbad Falooda and kulfi were perfect desserts, and the Schezwan noodles had just the right amount of spice.”August 2025
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Missal pav Net +2
“Misal pav was also authentic tasting and delicious.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Misal pav was also authentic tasting and delicious.”October 2021
“One star less because the pav was not fresh, other then that it was kadak place for pav bhaji, missal pav (try cheese version), vada pav, dhabeli and man-oh-man 🧀 Cheese masala pav (you've gotta try, you won't regret it).”January 2022
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Panipuri Net +2
“We tasted vada pav, pani Puri, this is rely good !! This is mainly for chats and also we tasted schezwan fried rice really really tasty.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tasted vada pav, pani Puri, this is rely good !! This is mainly for chats and also we tasted schezwan fried rice really really tasty.”January 2024
“We asked for variety of their signature dishes like Sevpuri, panipuri, vegetable grill sandwiches, frankies. Everything was amazing.”July 2019
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Schewan masala dosa Net +2
“We tried something new that is Schewan Masala Dosa & Chilli Idli which I never had earlier and it was very very tasty & you didn't even requires shambhar or chutney.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried something new that is Schewan Masala Dosa & Chilli Idli which I never had earlier and it was very very tasty & you didn't even requires shambhar or chutney.”December 2020
“They have an extensive menu. We tried a variety of items from their list some being Pav Bhaji, Manchow Soup, Masala Papad, Schewan Masala Dosa, Soya Chilly, Chilly Idli, Cheese Masala Papad, Grilled Cheese papad. We ended our meal with Masala tea & Fruit Custard. Everything was good but the best was the Pav Bhaji which was just like the one we get in Mumbai. Perfect colour, taste & buttery.”December 2020
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Soya chilly Net +2
“Soya Chilli Dry- This is their star dish which came as a surprise to me; How can Soya chunks be made that good? ... it tasted just like a non-veggie variant of Indo-Chinese Chilli dish. The Soya Chunks were batterfried in a slight crispy avatar and then sautéed with sauces, Onion and green bell peppers to make this amazing dish! If you like Indo-Chinese then you must definitely go for this.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Soya Chilli Dry- This is their star dish which came as a surprise to me; How can Soya chunks be made that good? ... it tasted just like a non-veggie variant of Indo-Chinese Chilli dish. The Soya Chunks were batterfried in a slight crispy avatar and then sautéed with sauces, Onion and green bell peppers to make this amazing dish! If you like Indo-Chinese then you must definitely go for this.”June 2019
“They have an extensive menu. We tried a variety of items from their list some being Pav Bhaji, Manchow Soup, Masala Papad, Schewan Masala Dosa, Soya Chilly, Chilly Idli, Cheese Masala Papad, Grilled Cheese papad. We ended our meal with Masala tea & Fruit Custard. Everything was good but the best was the Pav Bhaji which was just like the one we get in Mumbai. Perfect colour, taste & buttery.”December 2020
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Aam ras puri Net +1
“Pav bhaji, chats, aam ras puri , Chinese, Misal, sandwich and not to miss on wada pav. All are worth it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Pav bhaji, chats, aam ras puri , Chinese, Misal, sandwich and not to miss on wada pav. All are worth it.”May 2026
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Aam ras with poori Net +1
“But the undisputed superstar of my meal was the Aam Ras with Poori. Wow! If happiness could be served on a plate, this would be it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“But the undisputed superstar of my meal was the Aam Ras with Poori. Wow! If happiness could be served on a plate, this would be it.”May 2026
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Bite size vada pav Net +1
“Tried chaat and bite size vada pav everything was mouthwatering❣️”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Tried chaat and bite size vada pav everything was mouthwatering❣️”May 2025
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Dahi vada Net +1
“Dahi vada was very nice, the vada was soft and fresh.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Dahi vada was very nice, the vada was soft and fresh.”March 2019
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Gadbad falooda Net +1
“The Gadbad Falooda and kulfi were perfect desserts, and the Schezwan noodles had just the right amount of spice.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Gadbad Falooda and kulfi were perfect desserts, and the Schezwan noodles had just the right amount of spice.”August 2025
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Gadbad icecream Net +1
“Gadbad icecream took me back to my memories of mangalore visit, however I must say I liked it better here .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Gadbad icecream took me back to my memories of mangalore visit, however I must say I liked it better here .”March 2019
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Kutchi dabeli Net +1
“Kutchi Dabeli was absolutely delectable and it calls for a repeat , unlike the regular Dabeli I had tried this is very unique with some special masala and loved it every bite.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Kutchi Dabeli was absolutely delectable and it calls for a repeat , unlike the regular Dabeli I had tried this is very unique with some special masala and loved it every bite.”March 2019
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Masala papad Net +1
“They have an extensive menu. We tried a variety of items from their list some being Pav Bhaji, Manchow Soup, Masala Papad, Schewan Masala Dosa, Soya Chilly, Chilly Idli, Cheese Masala Papad, Grilled Cheese papad. We ended our meal with Masala tea & Fruit Custard. Everything was good but the best was the Pav Bhaji which was just like the one we get in Mumbai. Perfect colour, taste & buttery.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“They have an extensive menu. We tried a variety of items from their list some being Pav Bhaji, Manchow Soup, Masala Papad, Schewan Masala Dosa, Soya Chilly, Chilly Idli, Cheese Masala Papad, Grilled Cheese papad. We ended our meal with Masala tea & Fruit Custard. Everything was good but the best was the Pav Bhaji which was just like the one we get in Mumbai. Perfect colour, taste & buttery.”December 2020
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Mini vada pav Net +1
“Absolutely loved my experience at Mumbai Express! From the famous Mini Vada Pav to the cheesy sandwiches, every bite felt like a taste of Mumbai in Dubai.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Absolutely loved my experience at Mumbai Express! From the famous Mini Vada Pav to the cheesy sandwiches, every bite felt like a taste of Mumbai in Dubai.”August 2025
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Mysore masala dosas Net +1
“We also had Dabelo, Sandwich and Mysore Masala Dosa. Everyone liked it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We also had Dabelo, Sandwich and Mysore Masala Dosa. Everyone liked it.”March 2019
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Nimbu pani Net +1
“You'll get Mumbai style nimbu Pani (lemon juice) too.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“You'll get Mumbai style nimbu Pani (lemon juice) too.”January 2022
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Sevpuri Net +1
“We asked for variety of their signature dishes like Sevpuri, panipuri, vegetable grill sandwiches, frankies. Everything was amazing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We asked for variety of their signature dishes like Sevpuri, panipuri, vegetable grill sandwiches, frankies. Everything was amazing.”July 2019
Drinks 1
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Masala tea Net +3
“And the masala tea? A warm, spiced hug in a cup that had me going back for seconds without hesitation.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“And the masala tea? A warm, spiced hug in a cup that had me going back for seconds without hesitation.”April 2025
“The masala tea was exceptionally good, prompting me for a second serving.”January 2024
What to Avoid (2)
Food 2
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Paneer manchurian dry Net −1
“Come on; you shouldn't be charging AED 27 for a paneer Manchurian dry that is only half filled in your small serving plate and the rest with raw cabbage.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Come on; you shouldn't be charging AED 27 for a paneer Manchurian dry that is only half filled in your small serving plate and the rest with raw cabbage.”October 2024
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Potato fritters Net −1
“We ordered potato fritters and what we received was clearly rotten—the smell was unbearable and the taste confirmed it.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We ordered potato fritters and what we received was clearly rotten—the smell was unbearable and the taste confirmed it.”February 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Start classic. Order the pav bhaji first; it is the dish most consistently singled out for Mumbai-style flavour.
Ask pav. If you want plain bread rather than the usual masala pav, request it specifically when ordering.
Avoid weekends. For easier parking, seating and ordering, consider a non-weekend visit rather than peak weekend hours.
Choose carefully. If authenticity matters, consider skipping the Frankie: one regular customer found it unlike Bombay street style.
Plan the visit
Practical details
B-10, Shop # 5 & 6, Shaikh
Al Karama - Sheikh Hamdan Colony, Dubai
| Mon | 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Tue | 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Wed | 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Thu | 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Fri | 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sat | 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sun | 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
Common Concerns
High pricing
Several customers feel the prices are high for Karama, especially when ordering extra pav or comparing nearby restaurants.
Weekend crowding
Weekend visits can mean parking trouble, packed seating and longer waits.
Tight tables
One customer found the tables too close together, while another said weekend AC seating could be insufficient.
Inconsistent orders
Feedback ranges from excellent meals to complaints about a dry sev puri, a disappointing Frankie and one alleged spoiled delivery item.
Food complaint
A delivery customer reported receiving potato fritters they believed were spoiled; this was a serious single-review allegation.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
AED 27
paneer Manchurian dry
“you shouldn't be charging AED 27 for a paneer Manchurian dry that is only half filled in your small serving plate and the rest with raw cabbage”Google review · October 2024
DXB
LOCAL
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The Bottom Line
Mumbai Express is a vegetarian restaurant in Al Karama for the kind of food people seek when they miss Mumbai. Pav bhaji is the clear anchor: reviewers describe the buttery bhaji and soft pav as close to the street version, while vada pav, dabeli and chaat provide quick, snack-sized options. It is also useful for a broader meal, with sandwiches, South Indian dishes, Indo-Chinese plates and desserts.
The experience is more casual than polished. There is indoor and outdoor seating, and the late opening—reported until 1 am—works well for an evening snack or takeaway. Regulars often mention friendly, attentive hospitality, and some customers receive a small welcome drink even when collecting an order.
Plan around the trade-offs. Weekends can bring crowds, parking difficulty and waits, while one review found the tables too close together. Pricing is a recurring concern: customers specifically questioned the cost of extra pav and portions compared with nearby Karama restaurants.
Food feedback is mostly strong but not uniform; Frankie and sev puri received criticism, and one delivery review alleged spoiled potato fritters. For a first visit, pav bhaji is the safest starting point; ask for plain pav if that is what you prefer.