Why O Pedro remains one of Mumbai's most talked-about restaurants

Mumbai has no shortage of acclaimed restaurants. New openings arrive every month, tasting menus evolve with the seasons and social media is constantly crowning the next big thing. Yet nearly a decade after opening its doors in Bandra Kurla Complex, O Pedro continues to find itself in conversations about the city's most influential restaurants.

Part of that has to do with awards and accolades. Part of it has to do with the team behind it. But perhaps the biggest reason is that O Pedro managed something many restaurants struggle to achieve: it took a cuisine people thought they knew and presented it in a way that felt both familiar and fresh.

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A love letter to Goa, not a copy of it

Opened in 2017 by Mumbai-based hospitality group Hunger Inc Hospitality, O Pedro was conceived as a contemporary interpretation of Goan food and culture. The restaurant sits in BKC, far removed from Goa's beaches and village taverns, yet its menu draws heavily from the state's culinary traditions.

Rather than positioning itself as a traditional Goan restaurant, O Pedro leans into a more playful, modern approach. The result is a menu that references Goa's Portuguese influences, local ingredients and tavern culture while still feeling distinctly urban.

The dishes people keep returning for

People have also chosen their favourites, as per reviews across food aggregator websites like Zomato and Swiggy.

The Prawn Balchao, cooked with red chillies, garlic and toddy vinegar, is among the restaurant's most recognisable dishes and remains one of its most frequently recommended plates.

The Choriz Chilli Fry, featuring spicy Goan sausage topped with caramelised onions and a fried egg, has developed something of a cult following, while the Choriz Poee Sandwich offers a more casual introduction to the restaurant's flavours.

Seafood lovers often gravitate towards the restaurant's crab and fish preparations, while vegetarians praise its surprisingly extensive non-meat offerings. Diners on Reddit frequently note that the menu caters well to different dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Then there is dessert. Among Mumbai food enthusiasts, O Pedro's Pastel de Nata, the Portuguese custard tart, has become one of the restaurant's most beloved menu items. Multiple diners have described it as a must-order dish and a reason to return in itself.

What does a meal cost?

O Pedro falls firmly into Mumbai's premium dining category.

A meal for two generally costs around Rs. 3,500 before alcohol, though the final bill can vary significantly depending on cocktails and the number of dishes ordered.

Menu prices span a wide range. A simple poee bread starts at under Rs. 100, while signature seafood and meat dishes can cost several hundred rupees each. Popular dishes such as Prawn Balchao and Choriz Chilli Fry typically fall in the mid-to-premium range.

As with most high-profile restaurants, O Pedro has its detractors. Discussions among Mumbai diners frequently debate whether it lives up to its accolades, particularly given its pricing. Yet even sceptics tend to acknowledge its role in bringing Goan cuisine into the mainstream conversation around contemporary Indian dining.

Awards are only part of the story

O Pedro's reputation has been bolstered by regular appearances on lists celebrating India's best restaurants. The restaurant has often been cited among Mumbai's leading dining destinations and has benefited from the wider reputation of Hunger Inc Hospitality, which also operates some of the city's most influential food establishments.

O Pedro's reputation is not built on hype alone. Over the years, the restaurant has consistently appeared on some of the country's most influential dining lists, a notable achievement in a market where restaurants often struggle to stay relevant beyond their first few years.

In 2019, it was ranked No. 8 on the Condé Nast Traveller India Top Restaurant Awards list, making it one of the highest-ranked new-generation restaurants in the country. The publication praised its ability to bring Goa's culinary diversity to Mumbai while maintaining a relaxed, approachable atmosphere.

More recently, O Pedro featured on the Condé Nast Traveller x District Top Restaurant Awards 2025, where it secured the No. 14 position nationally, reaffirming its standing among India's leading restaurants.

The restaurant has also earned a place on the prestigious World's 50 Best Discovery platform, an international guide that highlights noteworthy restaurants across the globe. The listing singled out O Pedro's contemporary interpretation of Goan and Portuguese cuisine, particularly its seafood dishes, vegetable-forward cooking and inventive bar programme.

Its bar programme has received recognition in its own right. O Pedro has featured on 30 Best Bars India, a ranking that celebrates the country's most influential cocktail destinations, reflecting the restaurant's long-standing focus on Goan-inspired drinks and tavern culture.

In 2025, it also appeared at No. 47 on Opinionated About Dining's (OAD) Casual Restaurants in Asia list, placing it among a select group of Asian restaurants recognised for consistent quality and dining experience.

More than just a restaurant

What O Pedro arguably achieved better than many of its contemporaries was helping broaden perceptions of Goan cuisine. For years, Goan food in metropolitan restaurants was often reduced to a handful of familiar curries and seafood dishes. O Pedro's menu explored a wider range of influences, drawing attention to the state's Portuguese heritage, local breads, pickles, vinegars and tavern traditions.