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Mumbai’s sports clubs are the ultimate in distinction—post-colonial hangovers that are unlikely to ever go away. But they’re nothing if not exclusive so just think of a membership as a passport to cool that entitles you to infinite bragging rights, stellar facilities that aren’t available to most people and, well, some killer food. While most of the food on offer isn’t exactly food you can’t get elsewhere, somehow, each of these clubs manage to make their offerings taste incredibly distinct.
Sadly, you can’t get into any of these places unless you know a member, and most people will go through life without ever setting foot in one of these elite clubs but if you’re one of the lucky few that does know a member, we’ve got you sorted with a quick guide to some of the best dishes to gorge on at some of Mumbai’s most-loved clubs.
The Eggs Kejriwal @ The Willingdon Sports Club, Mahalaxmi
The Willingdon Sports Club was founded in 1818 and closed its membership to outsiders in 1985. Hanging at Willi (as it’s popularly called) usually means spending all day lounging in or by the pool, playing golf for the older lot, and ordering snacks every few hours. If you find it hard to get the waiter’s attention just ring the golden bell found on every table. No, really. That’s what it’s there for anyway.
Its standout dish, the eggs kejriwal is a legendary snack that was actually born at The Willingdon. It was the invention of a certain Mr. Devi Prasad Kejriwal, and no one does it as well as they do.
Other options: Try the chicken sandwich (in brown bread, with mustard and lettuce), sev puri, waffles, grilled ham and cheese sandwich, masala mushroom on toast, french fries, melba toast, and the egg sandwich (either hard-boiled with cracked pepper and mayonnaise or the cheese omelette).
What to drink: The iced tea. It’s really old school and comes in a tray with a pot of freshly brewed tea, ice, slices of lemon, sprigs of fresh mint, lemon juice and sugar syrup so that you can make it just the way you like it.
Steak Maneckji @ Bombay Gymkhana, Fort
Bombay Gym was founded it 1890 and is famous for its raucous bar nights held on Fridays. Easily the most popular place to hang out here is the longer-than-long veranda that overlooks the rugby field and lawn. Think of it as a social obligation as well as a culinary one. You can indulge in a bit of people watching while scarfing down some of the great food that ‘the gym’ is known for.
The steak in question is the most-loved of all steak dishes at any club across the city and consists of cubed pieces of steak (now buff) cooked with the Bombay Gym’s in-house BBQ sauce. It comes with mashed potatoes and grilled veggies.
Other options: Sausages & bacon, chow chow chicken, crispy shredded chicken, bbq chicken pizza, pepper chicken, and salt and pepper prawns.
What to drink: Mint tea. It’s made the proper way. You can tell by the aroma.
Sev puri @ CCI, Churchgate
The Cricket Club of India was built in 1933 as India’s answer to London’s famous Marylebone Cricket Club. The best place to sit is the lawns, where wicker armchairs and wooden tables await, and a cool breeze comes off the towering walls of the stadium down into the bowl-shaped area that holds the club lawns.
The sev puri is fondly referred to as the lala puri—named after cricketer Lala Amarnath as it was his favourite dish. And somehow, the CCI gets the meetha vs. theeka chutney spot on.
Other options: Chicken tikka roll, grilled ham & cheese sandwich, kakori rolls, chocolate mousse.
What to drink: Mint tea, fresh lime soda, coconut water.
The Gin Chicken @ The Bombay Presidency Radio Club, Colaba
If you’re wondering how this club got its name, it’s because India’s first radio broadcast was made from here. And up until 1927, it was the only radio operating station in Mumbai. Radio Club has the best view of any club in the city—a sweeping vista of the bay, with numerous private boats and yachts gleaming in the sun.
The gin chicken is so good that none of the city’s many Chinese restaurants even come close to it.
Other options: Chilli cheese toast, chow chou potatoes, sev puri, and the curiously named sholay kebab.
What to drink: Fresh lime soda. If you like milkshakes, their chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla ones are particularly good.
The Chicken Sandwiches @ Royal Bombay Yacht Club, Colaba
The Royal Bombay Yacht Club was founded in 1846 and is the oldest yacht club in Asia. It was founded when the British took up sailing as a sport, an activity that is still popular today. It’s the only club in the city that has its own boats that can be hired by members to take their guests out sailing. What are you waiting for? Grab hold of a member, pack some of the club’s delicious sandwiches and set sail.
Why the chicken sandwiches? The ratio of mustard to mayonnaise is just right and the bread is soft and fluffy.
Other options: Ham and cheese sandwich, melted Morbay Pie.
The Mini Cheese-stuffed Cocktail Naans @ Breach Candy Club, Breach Candy
Everybody knows the Breach Candy Club because of its giant, outdoor saltwater pool. You can’t have lived in the city and not heard of it. If you’re here, the poolside is the only place you want to be. Those deck chairs are ridiculously hard to get out of—more so once you’ve chowed down some grub.
If you haven’t eaten their mini cocktail naans just oozing out melty cheese, you haven’t lived. They go down really quick so order a couple of platefuls. You can always swim off the excess carbs later.
Other options: Their melt-in-the-mouth reshmi kebabs are pretty good too, as is the whopper of a club sandwich, which of course, comes with a hearty helping of fries.
Beef Chilly @ Catholic Gymkhana, Marine Drive
Catholic Gymkhana has always been known for its delicious food. And frankly, we’d have expected nothing less. The first floor veranda is where you want to be. It overlooks the parking lot that doubles up as a football field. If you’re lucky, there may even be a football game on when you visit. Grab a chair, order some beer and pick a side to cheer for.
If you’re not convinced about the beef chilly, don’t take our word for it. Show up and try it yourself.
Other options: Goan prawn curry, and fried fish. They find their way to the top of our list every time.
What to drink: Honestly, with this kind of food, beer is the only sensible option.
Akuri @ Parsi Gymkhana, Marine Drive
Another Marine Drive stalwart, this club belongs to another food-loving community, the Parsis. And where there are Parsis, you know there’s good food.
The akuri (Parsi-style scrambled eggs) on toast is both the obvious choice and a winning one. It’s made exactly the way you’d expect an authentic akuri to be—plenty of ginger and just the right consistency.
Other options: Crispy chicken, BBQ pork, and if you really must go all out—the dhansakh. Any plans after eating here that don’t involve being horizontal should be scrapped.
Cheese Balls @ Bandra Gymkhana, Bandra
Since 1935, Bandra Gymkhana has been serving its lucky members and their guests food that’s so good you need to unbutton your jeans after your meal. Go right on upstairs to the AC room that is usually full of youngsters taking advantage of the delicious fare. It also plays some groovy tunes.
Mind your tongue with those cheese balls though, that cheese is molten.
Other options: Chicken kebabs, tongue roast and pork ribs.
What to drink: Beer or wine. What is ‘water’?
Schezwan French Fries @ Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana, Santacruz (W)
Santacruz’s Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana started in 1928 and has expanded quite a bit in the time since. It’s where the neighbourhood’s residents go to unwind and eat some great food. The best place to sit is on the rooftop, but the poolside can be pretty great too.
About our outstanding dish choice—few things taste as good as French fries doused in tangy, spicy Schezwan sauce.
Other options: Beef chilly fry. It’s juicy, spicy and all-round amazing.
What to drink: They make a mean pina colada. But if you aren’t in the mood for alcohol, try their nimbu paani. Sweet and salty, of course.
The Naidu Sandwich @ Bombay Presidency Golf Club, Chembur
One of only two golf clubs in Mumbai (the other being The Willingdon at Mahalaxmi), BPGC makes you feel like you’re not in the city at all when you’re within its boundaries. If you want to get out of the city without actually getting out of the city and eat some great food while you’re at it, this is the place to be.
Like Willingdon’s famous Kejriwal, this dish was cooked up by a member too. Chicken is sautéed with onions and tomatoes before being stuffed between slices of bread.
Other options: Their non-vegetarian kebab platters are also held in high esteem by most who have tried them. The malai reshmi kababs melt in your mouth.
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