Encompassing some of Mumbai’s trendiest districts, South Central is a mecca for Bollywood starlets, CEOs and tourists alike. Gleaming office buildings line the streets, housing everything from blue chips and banks to advertising agencies and film production houses. The Worli Seaface promenade is a great place to people watch and admire the ocean views, with the magnificent Siddhivinayak Temple stepping up as one of Mumbai’s most famous Lord Ganesha shrines.
When it comes to shopping, South Central boasts some of Mumbai’s best mega malls. High Street Phoenix and Atria are two of the best, attracting flocks of fashionistas. The area is also dotted with fantastic restaurants, cafes and upmarket hotels, and is home to a trio of Mumbai’s exclusive British style clubs.
South Central is well connected by roads, with plenty of local bus routes running through the area. From Colaba, South Central is a 45-minute drive or a one-hour bus ride. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is 30 minutes by car, with Mumbai’s main railway station a 35-minute drive to the south-east.
Back in the late 19th century, South Central was a textile powerhouse. The mills attracted migrant labour, mostly from the Maharashtra region. Today, South Central is considered the beating heart of Mumbai’s Marathi culture and is a fantastic place to sample the kaleidoscopic masala spice blends that define Maharashtra cuisine.