Dive into Mumbai's best pani puri hotspots

Pani Puri that she made for the Australian reality show. Pics courtesy/Youtube

Call it pani puri, phuchka or gol gappa, the indisputable star of the dish - an extra sukha puri towards the end - unites most Indians across the planet. This famous desi street food created a stir globally when in a recent episode of MasterChef Australia, participant Sumeet Saigal won over the judges by showing them how to assemble the different elements of pani puri before indulging in it.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver tastes (right) Sumeet Saigal's

In other news, Bandra's famous Elco Pani Puri, which serves the snack at Rs 190 at its Hill Road outlet, was slammed for selling the same chaat for Rs 333 at a Mumbai airport. If all this talk is making you salivate, and eager to tuck into a plateful of savoury goodness, here are our picks of the best finds that we've tasted across the city and suburbs. You can thank us later.

Pricey spice

This pani puri is best known for its science lab-like presentation. The teekha pani in test tubes arrive in a smoke-filled glass. The tamarind chutney, on the other hand, is served with a gigantic injection.
At Spiceklub, Phoenix Mills 8A, Lower Parel.
Call 46104604
Log on to spiceklub.com
Cost Rs 600

Mumbai to Kolkata
If you are looking for a break from the ragda-filled pani puris of the city, try these Kolkata-style phuchkas, packed with a spicy mix of mashed potatoes. For those in the mood for further experimentation with the chaat, options here include cheese corn pani puri, paneer pani puri and cheese moong pani puri.
At Guru Kripa Pani Puri House, Sion West; also at Bandra West.
Call 9820501313
Cost Rs 70

Awesome four-some

PICS COURTESY/INSTAGRAM

This newly opened haunt is winning over pani puri lovers for its automatic pani puri service where a machine pours the pani into your puri. The four flavours available include khatta meetha, garlic, jaljeera and regular pani. They serve Jain options as well.
At Hygienic Pani Puri, Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali West
Call 8291055667
Cost Rs 40 for six in a plate; Rs 50 for Jain variety

Pineapple inspiration
One of pizza's most loved and hated toppings, pineapple, has made its way to the classic ragda and moong pani puri. Other flavours available at this stall include hajma, guava, garlic, mint, lemon, cumin, green mango, tomato, watermelon and ajwain.
At Maharaj Chat Center, Matunga East.
Call 932660125
Cost Rs 50 (for a plate of six different-flavoured puris)

Also check out

>> Pani puri shots
At DPs Fast Food; outlets at Dadar, Chembur and Matunga.
Call 2224145326
Cost Rs 60

>>Delhi-style gol gappa
At Angrezi Desi Café, Vile Parle East.
Call 9871259234
Cost Rs 60

>>Simply Sindhi
At Sindh Pani Puri, Chembur.
Call 9819984649
Cost Rs 50

>>Mineral water pani puri
At Bhola Chat Bhandar, Andheri East.
Call 9819425036
Cost Rs 50

>>Real deal
At Amar Fast Food and Restaurant, Tardeo.
Call 223854153
Cost Rs 100

>>Hand-made puris
At Ram Shyam Bhel, Ghatkopar East.
Call 9321022102
Cost Rs 50