Malhar Tribes, Marol, Mumbai

Restaurant Name: Malhar Tribes, Marol, Mumbai
Phone: +917666000444 / +917666000555
Address: Marol Marushi Road, Steelmade Industrial Estate, Opposite Jalaram Traders, Marol, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400606 India
Time: 11:00 AM – 01:30 AM
Meals for two: Rs. 1600
Cuisines: Biryani, Seafood, Goan, Chinese, North Indian, Maharashtrian
Facilities: Breakfast, Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar Available, Live Sports Screening, Indoor Seating, Valet Parking Available, Table booking recommended, Group Meal, Smoking Area, Outdoor Seating

Malhar Tribes Coastal Indian Dinner

I love discovering the unusual! I also love dining in the suburbs. Today’s Marol restaurant combines coastal cuisine, live music, a rocking bar and (hold your breath) has a dormitory attached too. Past three decades of tracking Mumbai’s restaurant-scape through my columns and food guides has been exciting. Watching it expand and sprawl in the suburbs is the most exciting trend. Past few days I’ve been dining in Goregaon, Powaii and today in Marol, Andheri East at Malhar Tribes.

Foodie Blind Date, Live Music & Coastal Indian Food

Three of my passions come together: Coastal Indian food, live music and my foodie blind dates. This time, it’s a double foodie blind date. The lovely, and lively Moumita S sparkles the restaurant with her smiles. It’s pure joy to spend time with corporate PR turned homemaker turned food videographer, travel and lifestyle blogger. It was wonderful to meet Aspy Engineer, industry expert on ATMs and Digital Channels with over 22 years of banking experience and is a passionate food, travel and lifestyle blogger. We have a fun and yummy evening.

Rocking Vibe

Located close to the International Airport, Malhar Tribes sprawls indoors and outdoors. This 200-seater also has a cozy party space named Retro Den and Purple Room. Lively lighting and comfy seating here. There is Bollywood unplugged live music after 8pm. On inquiring about where the stairs lead to, I’m told that it’s a dormitory named Maple Social Hubz. Of course I can’t resist walking up to check it. Air-conditioned and separate for males and females. Mainly for backpackers and Bollywood hopefuls.

Thalis, Moilee to Schezwan Noodles

Bypass the Chinese and zero in on the coastal Indian dishes. Make an exception and ask for the crisp and tangy Palak Papdi Chaat. The kitchen aces it and also the well-marinated Pomfret Tawa Fry. I recommend their silky, mellow Fish Moilee, fluffy and soft Thatte Idli, beetroot appam. The VFM thalis are a must. Our Crab Thali (Crab Malvani Gravy, Mutton Ghee roast, Crab Mangalorian Sukha, Dry Veg Curry (thoran) papad, chutney, solkadi, one gulab jamun unlimited rice and bhakri). End with the tender coconut payasam.

Minus Points : Malhar Tribes

Can get noisy outside, so if you looking for a quiet experience opt for the cozy indoor room. The long winding menu confuses and wanders all over North India. It fumbles on a few dishes. My favorite avail is mushy, as is the Paneer Srilankan and the Tandoori Shakerkandi

My Point

After paying our dinner bill (10342, including a bottle of wine 3600), we find out that Arvind and Ashok Shetty had set up this coastal diner six years ago. Covid slowed down everything, they lost their chef Joseph too. It was post-covid that Pallavi Shetty and Jaypali Shetty took upon themselves to recreate, rework and renovate the place and the menu. Kudos on doing so. Pallavi, Masters in classical dance, software engineer, birth educator Jaypali, sure have their fingers on the foodie pulse of the city. From bringing in their family recipes, adding on popular North Indian ones, live music, a full bar and even an air-conditioned dormitory on the premises, all affordably priced too. There’s something for everyone here