Bandra West is the Brooklyn of Mumbai.
Bandra West named the Brooklyn of Mumbai
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Bandra West the Brooklyn of Mumbai.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Mumbai's verdict went to Bandra West ahead of Colaba, Lower Parel and Kala Ghoda, which take the runner-up positions.
"We named Bandra West the Brooklyn of Mumbai, and honestly the call was not hard. Murals on the walls, a seafront where the city goes to breathe, and old Goan-Catholic character sharing space with new independent ambition. Mumbaikars are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Bandra West's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Mumbai verdict: brooklynof.com/mumbai
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/mumbai
Runner-up neighborhoods: Colaba, Lower Parel, Kala Ghoda
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.