Natraj Pani Puri in Marine Lines Will Entice You—Just as It Once Did Raj Kapoor!

Often missed, there’s an iconic chaat shop just a few steps away from the famous Marine Drive in Mumbai. The Natraj Pani Puri, which is famous among the masses as B Road Pani Puri, has been winning the hearts of audiences and Bollywood celebrities for 74 years. Started by Shri Kashiprashad Tiwari in 1951 at the B Road in Marine Lines, in a small setting, this stall has been the talk of the town since then. 

Mumbai and its love for street food go a little further with pani puri—the queen of street foods (tag given as an ardent Mumbai street food lover). So, people here don’t like to compromise on taste when it comes to gol gappe (giving credit to my friends in Delhi), and Kashiprashad and his 3 generations absolutely know how to nail this likeness. They serve some mouthwatering pani puri with two options; one with ragda (the raja of Mumbai pani puri) and the other with aloo and matki (sprouts—the original contender). No matter the stuffing, the people of Mumbai have always loved the taste here so much that it was Raj Kapoor, the famous Bollywood actor’s favourite place once. As quoted by the 3rd generation of Natraj Pani Puri, “Raj Kapoor ji hamare dada ke hath ki dahi pakodi chat aur 40 pani puri kha jate the.” Other famous celebrities like Nargis Dutt, Rohit Sharma, Akshay Kumar and Anant Ambani have also visited their stall. 

The stardom of this pani puri is such that it attracts stars and the common public alike. While the shop got its name from the now-gone Natraj Hotel, it quickly gained popularity with other variety of chats, such as dahi puri, ragda puri, ragda pattice, dekhi chaat, dahi pakodi, pakodi puri, dahi bhalla, chur mur chat, while pani puri being the centre of attraction. 

All of this is enough to make your mouth water and send you rushing to B Road to try the pani puri at Natraj. 

Where: 135 Chateau Marine Building, Opp Intercontinental Hotel B Road, Marine Drive, Mumbai.

When: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM