Malabar Hill got its name from the pirates who would come from the Malabar Coast along Kerala’s shoreline centuries ago. This upscale neighbourhood has some of the city’s most
iconic residences such as the Ambani residence, the Governor’s bungalow Raj Bhavan as well as a number of famous temples like the Jain Temple and Balbulnath Temple.
A walk around the area will be a treat: take in the greenery and Hanging Gardens (don’t miss the roasted peanut and coconut water vendors), enjoy the serenity at Bangganga or get some great deals at the popular Heera Panna. Don’t miss the uninterrupted view of the ocean from Priyadarshani Park, where you can munch on some popcorn while you marvel at the beauty of the sunset over the city.
Would you like Malabar Hill to be your new neighbourhood? From the residential options available to all the favorite places that Malabar Hill residents flock to, we’ve listed it all. Read below to understand what living in Malabar Hill is really like.
List of top gated communities in Malabar Hill, Mumbai
1. Mittal Dariya Mahal, Malabar Hill
Life can be a treat all day long with the sea facing view offered by Mittal Dariya Mahal. The building offers a resort environment with a landscaped garden and proximity to trendy restaurants and hangout spots.
Highlights & amenities of Mittal Dariya Mahal
Types of apartments: 3 BHK
Avg size of apartment: 2800 sq ft
2. Tahnee Heights, Malabar Hill
Close to Priyadarshini Park, Tahnee Heights is located on Napeansea Road. It offers enormous 4 BHK apartments.
Highlights & amenities of Tahnee Heights
Types of apartments: 4 BHK
Avg size of apartment: 3320 sq ft
3. Villa Orb, Malabar Hill
Located on Cumballa Hills, Villa Orb offers some of the best views of South Bombay and a landscaped garden. The apartments themselves offer all the modern comforts, plus high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows.
Highlights & amenities of Villa Orb
Types of apartments: 5 BHK
Avg size of apartment: 7700 sq ft
4. Runwal The Residence, Malabar Hill
A new building in Malabar Hill, this Runwal building is a single tall tower with several levels of parking, all the amenities (which none of the older buildings have). However, it is situated away from the sea.
Highlights & amenities of Omkar Bellezza
Types of apartments: 2 BHK, 3 BHK, 4 BHK
Avg size of apartment: 1420 sq ft to 5175 sq ft
5. Orbit Haven, Malabar Hill
Sprawling apartments with a 7 star fitness centre, swimming pool, 8 floors of parking, high speed elevators and more, Orbit Haven is where you get the best of the old and new worlds.
Highlights & amenities of Orbit Haven
Types of apartments: 3 BHK, 4 BHK & 5 BHK
Avg size of apartment: 5100 sq ft to 7700 sq ft
Things to do in Malabar Hill, Mumbai
1. Go for a walk in a beautiful park
Malabar Hill has many parks and gardens worth visiting. One large one is Priyadarshini Park. Here you will find nice walking and running trails, spaces to sit down and relax as well as areas dedicated to playing sports. The place also has a beautiful sea view.
2. Immerse yourself in history
If you are a history buff, head to Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum, a small building on Laburnum Road 3.1 kilometres from Malabar Hill. This was the center of Gandhi’s activities in Bombay for around 17 years (1917-1934). Today, Mani Bhavan has been converted into a museum and memorial to honor those times.
3. Get a relaxing massage
If your body is stiff or your joints are aching, or even if you just want to relax, Sukho Thai Malabar Hill is the perfect place to unwind and untie the knots and the toll everyday stress takes on our physique.
4. Take a stroll on the beach
Under three kilometres from Malabar Hill is Girgaum Chowpatty. Take the scenic route and head there via Marine Drive. Once there, you can take a leisurely stroll on the beach and enjoy the amazing street food such as pav bhaji, bhel puri, pani puri and kulfi on offer.
5. Eat a delicious South Indian meal
Dakshinayan is known for its authentic South Indian dishes, especially its varieties of idlis and dosas. The place is small and the decor is modest but the food more than makes up for this.
6. Have a beer at an iconic cafe
At Café New York you will feel as if you have been transported back in time. This iconic restaurant and bar (about 2 kilometres away from Malabar Hill) has a cool and casual atmosphere and serves up some delicious American, Indian and Chinese food.
Places to visit in Malabar Hill, Mumbai
1. Hanging Gardens
You cannot go to Malabar Hill without visiting the iconic Hanging Gardens. Also known as Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, these are gardens that sit at the very top of Malabar Hill. The view is beautiful – you can see the gorgeous Arabian Sea and admire the hedges made into animal shapes. Kamala Nehru Park, in the Hanging Gardens complex, is another lovely space you must visit – with nursery rhyme-themed structures (like the ‘boot house’ from the ‘There was an old woman who lived in a shoe’ tale) for kids to enjoy.
2. Pramod Navalkar Viewing Gallery
This is the best place to get a bird’s eye view of Mumbai. Pramod Navalkar Viewing Gallery is a multi-story gallery on top of Malabar Hill, opposite the Hanging Gardens, where you can take in the beautiful panoramic views of the Queen’s Necklace (Marine Drive) and Girhgaon Chowpatty. Photographers will love going to this gallery on the first floor where taking pictures is allowed. Entry is free.
3. Babulnath Temple
Head to this ancient mandir that is dedicated to Shiva for an uplifting experience. A short walk from Girgaum Chowpatty, this mandir worships Shiva in the Lord of the Babul tree form. It’s nicely maintained and the ancient structure is a sight to behold.
4. All Saints Church
If you love admiring the architecture of heritage structures, you will appreciate All Saints Church. This is a wonderful place of Christian worship on Little Gibbs Road, Malabar Hill. It was built way back in 1881, with a semi-circular chancel and a facade made from Porbandar stone.
5. Banganga Lake
Banganga Lake or Banganga Tank is a temple tank. This is a rectangular water body that is a part of the Hindu Walkeshwar Temple complex. It is a peaceful place to visit in Malabar Hill and spend some quiet moments enjoying the view.
6. Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple
Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple or ISKCON Chowpatty is a short distance from Malabar Hill and is frequented by residents of South Mumbai. There are daily morning prayers and meditation sessions here. You can also hear philosophy classes and attend seminars, or take Darshan and observe the aarti ceremonies.
7. Gateway of India
Head to the Gateway of India, the historic arch built to commemorate the arrival of King-Emperor George V in the early 20th century. Just 7 kilometres from Malabar Hill, this grand tourist attraction overlooking the Arabian Sea is beautiful and in the heart of the city centre with plenty of things to do around.
FAQs about Malabar Hill, Mumbai
The travel distance or driving distance between Malabar Hill and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is 24.5 kilometres via Western Express Highway.
The bus depot in Malabar Hill is in Walkeshwar, but there are bus stops all over the neighbourhood with strong connectivity to all parts of Mumbai.
Not yet, but the nearest railway stations are Charni Road and Grant Road.
Malabar Hill has many gorgeous parks to walk or hang out in such as Priyadarshini Park, Kamala Nehru Park, Eco Park and Hanging Gardens. If you are heading out for a meal or a drink, go to Cafe New York, which is just 2 kilometres away. Fine dining restaurants and bars such as The Table or The Bombay Canteen are also close by in the Colaba area – about a 30-minute drive away.
The quickest way to get from Mumbai International Airport to Malabar Hill is by taxi which costs ₹600 to ₹1000 and takes 90 to 120 minutes depending on traffic. However, if it’s peak hour, you might wish to consider taking a train to the nearest railway station and then take the train to Grant Road; then take a cab to Malabar Hill.
Yes, Malabar Hill is a very posh area with the most expensive real estate in the country. A single apartment can cost upwards of Rs.50 crore.
Yes, Malabar Hill is a very safe area. It has plenty of good residential and commercial establishments in the area. There are good schools, restaurants, shops, hotels, hospitals and banks all in the vicinity.
The hospitals in Malabar Hill include St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DESA’S HOSPITAL, Smt. Motiben B. Dalvi Hospital, The B.D. Petit Parsee General Hospital and Asian Cancer Institute and ACI Cumballa Hill Hospital.
Some of the best schools in Malabar Hill are Gopi Birla Memorial School, Manav Mandir High School, Walsingham House School, B.K.M. High School, St. Stephen School, Cumballa Hill High School, The Cathedral & John Connon Infant School, Banganga School, Birla Open Minds International School and Pranjali International School.
There are several parks in Malabar Hill. Some of these are Priyadarshini Park, Kamala Nehru Park, Eco Park, Shantivan, Kamala Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens.
There are several good gyms and fitness centres in and around the Malabar Hill area. If you want to work out, check out Anytime Fitness, Beyond Fitness, KPC FITNESS, Yasmin Karachiwala’s Fitocratic, Hanuman Gym, F 2 Fun & Fitness India Private Limited, Mould Fitness, Zumasaa Studios, Transform Gym and Reebok CrossFit at PDP.
The Malabar Hill Police Station is on BG Kher Road, Walkeshwar, Malabar Hill. The contact number is 022 2363 5513.