Ram Ashraya Menu & Prices 2026: Idli, Dosa & Coffee

Quick answers

What to order at Ram Ashraya -- four essentials

The four things every first-time visitor should know before sitting down.

Most celebrated item

Filter Coffee Rs. 57

Served in a stainless-steel tumbler-and-dabara. Strong, aromatic decoction coffee. One of the best in Mumbai.

Signature dish

Pudi Idli (Podi Idli) Rs. 50

Soft steamed idlis tossed in gunpowder spice mix and ghee -- the item most reviewers mention first.

Must-try sweet

Pineapple Sheera Price varies

Semolina halwa with fresh pineapple and ghee. Available from ~10 AM; sells out by late morning.

Best dosa

Mysore Masala Dosa Price varies

Spicy Mysore chutney spread inside a crispy dosa shell, filled with potato masala. A Ram Ashraya favourite.

Must-try dishes

The 8 most celebrated items at Ram Ashraya

Ranked by frequency of mention across 85+ years of food writing, reviews, and local word-of-mouth. These are the dishes that built Ram Ashraya's reputation.

1Filter CoffeeTraditional tumbler-and-dabara. The house speciality.Rs. 57
2Pudi IdliIdlis tossed in gunpowder spice and ghee.Rs. 50
3Pineapple SheeraSemolina-pineapple-ghee halwa. Available ~10 AM.varies
4Mysore Masala DosaCrispy dosa with Mysore chutney and potato masala.varies
5Neer DosaThin, soft Mangalorean rice crepe. Delicate and light.varies
6Medu VadaCrispy lentil doughnuts with sambar and chutney.Rs. 65
7Bisi Bele BathKarnataka one-pot rice-lentil dish. A hearty meal.Rs. 90-120
8Goli BajjiSoft Mangalorean fried fritters with coconut chutney.varies

Visitor guide

How to visit Ram Ashraya: tips from regular visitors

Practical advice for getting the most out of a visit to one of Mumbai's most beloved breakfast institutions.

Best time

Arrive between 7 AM and 9 AM

The menu is at its most complete and food is freshest during the early morning breakfast window. The restaurant fills up fast after 8 AM -- expect to share tables at peak hours.

Pineapple Sheera

Wait for the sheera (available ~10 AM)

Pineapple Sheera typically becomes available around 10 AM and often sells out within an hour. If you want it, plan your visit accordingly or arrive shortly after 10 AM.

Menu

No printed menu -- look at the blackboard

The daily menu is chalked on the kitchen wall. Items are erased as they sell out. The selection rotates, though filter coffee and core tiffin items are almost always available.

Payment

Cash or Paytm only

Ram Ashraya does not accept credit or debit cards. Bring cash (small denominations are easiest) or have the Paytm app ready. The bills are very affordable -- budget Rs. 150-250 per person.

Getting there

Walk from Matunga Central Station

The restaurant is a short walk from Matunga Railway Station (Central Line). Exit towards Kabutar Khana (pigeon square) and you will find it on Laxmi Narayan Lane, opposite the square. Auto-rickshaws from Dadar take about 5 minutes.

Seating

Shared tables; quick turnover

The dining room has limited seating and it is common to share a table with strangers. Service is fast -- most orders arrive within a few minutes. Do not expect solo seating during busy hours.

Location & contact

Find Ram Ashraya

Shop 3-6, Ground Floor, Jamnadas Mansion, Laxmi Narayan Lane, Matunga East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400019.

Phone: +91 22 2410 2369

Ram Ashraya does not maintain an active official website with a current menu. Confirm hours by phone before visiting.

Hours: ~5:30 AM - 9:30 PM (varies; check by phone)
Closed: Some sources report Monday closure -- confirm
Payment: Cash and Paytm only
Cuisine: 100% vegetarian South Indian / Udupi
Cost for two: Rs. 200-400
Nearest station: Matunga (Central Line)

Browse the menu

Jump to a category

All menu categories at Ram Ashraya with item counts.

The full menu

Ram Ashraya menu with prices (2026)

All categories and items below. Tags flag vegetarian dishes (all items at Ram Ashraya are vegetarian).

About these prices. Ram Ashraya does not have a printed menu -- the daily menu is written on a blackboard and items are erased as they sell out. Prices shown are sourced from publicly documented bills and review aggregators (including a 2021 itemised receipt from 40kmph.com and the 2026 Justdial listing). Individual prices may vary day-to-day and have increased since the earliest available receipts. Items marked "Price varies" have no confirmed individual price across available sources. Confirm current prices in-house.

Idli & Tiffin 7 items

Dosas 7 items

Uttapam & Vada 4 items

Snacks & Bajji 5 items

Rice Dishes & Meals 4 items

Sweets & Desserts 4 items

Beverages 4 items

About Ram Ashraya

Mumbai's oldest Udupi breakfast house -- since 1939.

Ram Ashraya opened in Matunga East in 1939 and has served uninterrupted for over 85 years. It is one of a cluster of legendary South Indian tiffin houses in Matunga -- a neighbourhood that has been the heart of Mumbai's Tamil and Kannada community since the colonial era. Alongside Cafe Madras and Arya Bhavan, Ram Ashraya helped establish Matunga as the definitive destination for authentic Udupi food in the city.

The kitchen follows the Udupi vegetarian tradition: no onion or garlic in certain preparations, fresh grinding of spice pastes, and an emphasis on rice-based dishes, lentil preparations and fresh coconut. The restaurant is known for never compromising on quality -- a philosophy that has kept the same families returning across three and four generations.

The restaurant is family-run, seats around 30 people, and operates on a no-frills model: shared tables, blackboard menu, fast service, and cash payment. The emphasis is entirely on the food.

1939Founded

85+Years serving

4.4+Rating (avg)

100%Vegetarian

Dietary information

Vegetarian, vegan-friendly, and allergen notes

Ram Ashraya is strictly 100% vegetarian -- no meat, fish or eggs are served or used in preparation. The cuisine is inherently dairy-rich (ghee, curd, buttermilk feature prominently), so strict vegans should inquire about specific items. Several items (lemon rice, most rice dishes, plain dosas) can be prepared without ghee on request.

Cross-contact: the kitchen is a shared vegetarian environment. No gluten-free certification; rava (semolina) dosas and some preparations contain wheat derivatives. Coconut is used extensively in chutneys -- note if you have a tree-nut allergy.

Confirm allergen details with the restaurant before ordering.

100% vegetarian -- no meat, fish or eggs, ever
Vegan-friendly options: lemon rice, curd rice (without curd), plain dosas on request
Ghee used: in Pudi Idli, Ghee Pudi Dosa, Bisi Bele Bath and others
Coconut in most chutneys -- note if allergic
Gluten: rava dosa and Masala Toast contain wheat

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Common questions

Ram Ashraya -- frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about Ram Ashraya's menu, prices, hours, location and history.

What is Ram Ashraya and why is it famous?

Ram Ashraya is a 100% vegetarian South Indian restaurant in Matunga East, Mumbai, established in 1939. It is widely regarded as one of the finest Udupi/Mangalorean tiffin houses in the city and a landmark of the Matunga food scene. The restaurant is famous for its soft idlis, crispy dosas, pineapple sheera, and strong filter coffee served in traditional stainless-steel tumblers. It holds a 4.4-4.5/5 rating across major platforms with hundreds of reviews. Tripadvisor ranked it #78 of 9,318 restaurants in Mumbai.

What are the opening hours of Ram Ashraya?

Ram Ashraya is open daily from approximately 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. The restaurant is at its busiest during the breakfast window (7 AM to 11 AM). Some sources indicate the restaurant may be closed on Mondays -- confirm by calling ahead at +91 22 2410 2369. Hours have varied slightly since the COVID period; the most common reported hours are 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM on weekdays and 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM on weekends.

What is the price range at Ram Ashraya? How much does a meal cost?

Ram Ashraya is one of Mumbai's most budget-friendly breakfast restaurants. A typical meal for one (two items + filter coffee) runs Rs. 100-200; for two people, expect to spend Rs. 200-400 depending on how much you order. Confirmed prices from public receipts include: Pudi Idli Rs. 50, Coconut Sevai Rs. 55, Filter Coffee Rs. 57, Idli (2 pcs) Rs. 65, Medu Vada (2 pcs) Rs. 65, Podi Upma Rs. 75. The restaurant accepts cash and Paytm.

Does Ram Ashraya have a printed menu or menu card?

No. Ram Ashraya does not use a printed menu card. The daily menu is written on a blackboard on the kitchen wall, and items are erased as they sell out. The selection varies daily, though core items (idli, dosa, filter coffee, pineapple sheera) are almost always available during breakfast hours. Pineapple sheera is typically available from around 10 AM. Because of this rotating blackboard model, individual item prices can vary slightly day-to-day.

What are the must-try dishes at Ram Ashraya?

The dishes most consistently praised across reviews and travel guides:

Filter Coffee -- served in the traditional tumbler-and-dabara, strong and frothy. Widely considered the best in Matunga.
Pineapple Sheera -- semolina halwa with fresh pineapple and ghee; typically available from 10 AM and often sells out.
Mysore Masala Dosa -- dosa with spicy Mysore chutney inside and potato masala filling.
Pudi Idli (Podi Idli) -- idlis tossed in gunpowder spice and ghee; a signature at Ram Ashraya.
Neer Dosa -- thin, soft, snow-white Mangalorean rice crepe.
Bisi Bele Bath -- the Karnataka rice-lentil one-pot dish.

Is Ram Ashraya fully vegetarian? Do they serve non-vegetarian food?

Yes. Ram Ashraya is 100% vegetarian. The restaurant has never served non-vegetarian food since its founding in 1939. It follows the traditional Udupi vegetarian model. Vegan-friendly options include most rice dishes (Bisi Bele Bath cooked without ghee, lemon rice, curd rice without the curd) and many tiffin items, though ghee is used in several preparations -- inquire in-house if you have strict vegan requirements.

How do I get to Ram Ashraya in Matunga?

Ram Ashraya is located at Shop 3-6, Ground Floor, Jamnadas Mansion, Laxmi Narayan Lane, Matunga East, Mumbai 400019. The restaurant is a short walk from Matunga Railway Station on the Central Line (CR), opposite Matunga Kabutar Khana (pigeon square). It is easily accessible by auto-rickshaw or taxi from Dadar, Sion, and surrounding areas. Limited street parking is available; public transport is strongly recommended during peak hours. Phone: +91 22 2410 2369.

What is the history of Ram Ashraya?

Ram Ashraya was established in 1939 in Matunga East, a neighbourhood that has long been the heart of Mumbai's South Indian Tamil and Kannada community. The restaurant has operated continuously for over 85 years, making it one of the oldest surviving Udupi restaurants in Mumbai. Matunga's concentration of authentic South Indian tiffin houses -- including Ram Ashraya, Cafe Madras and Arya Bhavan -- has made the area a pilgrimage destination for food lovers across the city. Ram Ashraya remains a family-run establishment and draws a loyal clientele of locals, office workers, and food tourists.

When is the best time to visit Ram Ashraya?

The restaurant opens very early (from 5:30 AM on weekends) and is best experienced between 7 AM and 10 AM for breakfast. This is when the menu is at its most complete, items are freshest, and the atmosphere is most vibrant. The restaurant gets extremely crowded from 8 AM onwards; table-sharing is the norm during peak hours. If you want pineapple sheera, note that it typically becomes available around 10 AM and often sells out by late morning. Lunch (12 PM - 2 PM) also sees a rush. The quietest period is mid-afternoon (2 PM - 5 PM). Payment is cash or Paytm only.

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