Moving back to Bandra has been like reconnecting with an old friend, one that’s always changing, but still has that main-character energy. There’s nostalgia in its leafy bylanes but also a steady stream of new things to stumble upon. One day it’s a thrift store tucked behind a service door. Another day it’s a café full of eclectic personalities and unique stories. What I enjoy most is walking through the neighbourhood and curating the perfect day when friends visit. A bit of catching up, a bit of a haul.
Maybe you’re in the mood to stroll around with an iced matcha and spend the day hopping between stores. Bandra is good for that. No fixed plan, just a solid mix of stops. This is your guide to the neighbourhood’s coolest ones.
1. Chyndy – Thrift Shop
Almost a speakeasy of a store, I was surprised to find this thrift store hidden in the basement of a building in the neighbourhood behind a service door. This sustainable fashion label is all about upcycling and reimagining textiles as edgy, deconstructed silhouettes. If your taste leans towards the unconventional, this one hits the spot.
2. Fluxus Chapel
Next to the beloved Subko on Chapel Road, this is where you come for indie zines, experimental magazines, and small-batch art books you didn’t even know you needed. The owner is generous with recommendations and stories behind the finds. You might leave with more postcards than you planned for.
3. Two Extra Lives
Founded by stylist and curator Anchal Notani, the store specialises in reworked vintage clothing and accessories that are unique, handpicked pieces sourced globally. The store is a treasure trove of rare vintage bags, handcrafted jewellery, and one-of-a-kind apparel. Great if your style sits somewhere between vintage archive and a refined take on Y2K.
Tucked inside the winding lane of Chimbai village, Lune stocks minimal, well-crafted jewellery. You’ll find fine chains, stackable rings and everyday pieces in gold and silver.
A small space on the slope of Pali Hill, Cord’s aesthetic is all about ease. Artsy prints, easy silhouettes and leather goods that are hard to leave behind.
Neighbouring Cord on Pali is Dhora, which feels like stepping straight into Jaipur. Dhora brings a refined, earthy aesthetic to Bandra. The store retails its own label alongside a curated edit of homegrown brands. It has perfumes and bags, but it’s the jewellery that will make you hover inside the store longer than you intended.
7. Bodements
Set in an old Bandra bungalow, the space is as charming as its contents. The painted ceilings alone are worth a photo. This multi-designer concept store leans towards the eclectic. You’ll find sustainable fashion, global brands and beauty carefully curated across the space.
Streetwear loyalists, this one’s for you. Capsul stocks some of the biggest global and homegrown names. Think limited-edition drops, sneakers and bold graphic bodycons. It hosts various events and you tend to meet your kin here.
10. Veg Non Veg
India’s first multi-brand sneaker boutique, offering everything from classic Jordans to the latest drops. A sneakerhead’s candy shop right in the heart of Bandra. It has a few racks of apparel too, whether you’re here to window-shop or seriously add to your collection.
11. Something Special
If you know, you know. This shop has been a Bandra institution for years. A bit of everything—ribbons, lace and drawer after drawer of buttons and odd finds that make it a magnet for costume designers and stylists. A happy place for people who like to make things, think Ollivander’s Wand Shop but more chaotic.
12. Nappa Dori
The brand is synonymous with beautifully crafted leather goods, travel accessories and artisanal stationery. A solid stop if you’re looking for gifts or just want to level up your desk or suitcase. It gets brownie points for its own in-house café, where you can stock up on more iced coffee and cake post-haul.
13. Cherry Fig
Popular shopping haunt for basics in the neighbourhood and for good reason. It’s got racks of export surplus fashion at wallet-friendly prices, plus a mix of homeware and bags. Walk in with low expectations and you’ll probably leave with a full bag.
14. Mirchi Mirchi
Bringing a touch of the Mediterranean aesthetic to Mumbai, this store offers Indian handloom and artisanal curio lifestyle products, from ceramics to pure cotton sets. The curation leans towards warm-weather living.
15. Call of the Valley
A perfume studio that draws from Indian landscapes and memory. The scents are layered and poetic. Owner Jean-Christophe Bonnafous is usually around to walk you through each blend and help you pick one that matches your mood or season. Bonus: his adorable little dog sometimes naps on the counter and steals the show.
Special Gallery Mention: Art and Charlie
Because sometimes you need a break from shopping to reset, and looking at good art does the job. Tiny but packing a punch, this space showcases a mix of emerging and established artists with a focus on contemporary work. You’ll find paintings, sculptures and the occasional installation. It’s also conveniently located next to the teensiest Subko, almost a window, so you can take in some art and grab a croissant on the way out.
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