Fast, fresh, and healthy homestyle Indian cooking can be found right next to Jefferson Hospital at 10th and Locust. Mumbai Bistro, is a quaint BYOB family business that opened 6 years ago and has drawn a loyal following from residents of the neighborhood and Jefferson employees a like. The menu contains gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. Most items are also nut-free. And all dishes are made without ghee- a clarified butter commonly used in Indian cooking containing high amounts of fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.

Open everyday except Monday, 11:30 am -9 pm. You can walk in and sample from the buffet for $5.25/pound (changes weekly) or order from the a la carte menu. Portion control is key here so a la carte entrees are served in 10 oz. containers while the biryanis are 16 oz. This restaurant is ideal for parties of 4 or less and outside seating is available. Delivery is also offered for a small charge via Grubhub, Eat 24, Seamless, and  Dining In. Catering is also offered.

Start off with some Samosas, whether stuffed with vegetable, chicken, or lamb these triangular shaped turnovers are served with tamarind chutney sauce and have a crunchy exterior with soft creamy filling. The Vegetable Samosas are also vegan. We’d also recommend trying some Naan. This baked flatbread is available with various toppings; it can even be made gluten-free and vegan. Don’t forget to grab some Raita sauce for dipping, this fresh whipped yogurt is mixed with grated cucumbers, carrots, and a blend of spices.

Mumbai Bistro has plenty of vegan options too. Try the popular Mumbai Dal with dark lentil beans cooked with herbs and spices, or Channa Masala chickpeas cooked with herbs and spices in a medium-hot sauce. We loved the Gobi Masala cauliflower and potatos cooked with spices (pictured below on the right) and the vegetarian Saag Paneer minced spinach cooked with cheese cubes and spices (pictured below on the left)

Don’t forget some of your traditional Indian favorites like Chicken Tikka Masala (gluten-free and pictured above) with chicken cubes cooked with onions and peppers in a tomato sauce. A side of Basmati Rice will help fill you up and its also gluten-free! Customers with a taste for spice also love the Chicken Vindaloo (gluten-free) with pieces of chicken cooked in a sharply spiced sauce. Let me tell you, its actually very spicy!

Whether you want dessert or a refreshing beverage on a hot day, try a Lassi which is a cool yogurt drink with different flavors such as mango. For something sweeter why not try the Gulab Jamm which are milk-balls dipped in honey syrup or Ras Malai which are dumplings made from cheese soaked in sweetened milk, and flavored with cardamom (contains nuts). And when you stop in grab a Mubai Bistro Rewards Card where after 10 buffet purchases you’ll recieve a free 1 lb!

-Lea