Leopold Cafe

A Colaba institution
Word to the wise: If you've always dreamed of making it in Bollywood, here's your chance. Casting directors come here regularly to scout foreigners.

Noteworthy for: Undeterred by the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Leopold's reopened four days after the incident. Look carefully: you can still spot bullet holes in the walls.
This legendary institution immortalised in revered backpacker tome 'Shantaram' is a meeting spot for expats, travellers and Mumbai scensters. The cafe often doubles as a film set, and will no doubt feature in the 'Shantaram' flick set to star Johnny Depp as Australian fugitive Gregory David Roberts - if it ever gets off the ground.

While the food here is nothing to write home about, the atmosphere is contagious, as travellers gather around tables to swap tales of traversing India while emptying a 'beer tower' between them, before ordering another. Head here in the afternoon, before it gets too rowdy.