CT Review: Portal Mumbai Serves Sepia-Toned Charm With Shakshuka In A Croissant & Cocktails To Stay For

Some restaurants try very hard to look vintage. But recently, I visited a restaurant in the bylanes of old Mumbai where the place didn’t really need to try hard. The moment you step inside the heritage bungalow, the whole place already feels like it belongs to another decade. Warm lighting, old-world corners and everything slightly in the sepia tones. Portal: Bistro & Bar gives you the vibe where everyone comes to indulge in a quick meal but stays for hours! 

Portal Mumbai Feels Less Like A Restaurant And More Like A Stylish Old Home

 

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The space is actually quite small, though somehow it never feels cramped. Right at the entrance, there’s an open bar catching most of the attention while a tiny coffee corner quietly sits to the side doing its own thing. Tables are tucked around carefully enough that people can laugh loudly without bumping elbows every two seconds.

And people really do get loud here, but in a good way.

One table had a group of girls fully invested in gossip. Another bunch nearby were debating which dish was the best on the menu, like it was a courtroom argument. Glasses clinking, sharing plates moving around, somebody calling for “just one more drink”. The place has energy without becoming exhausting.

Here’s What We Gorged On! 

Food arrived pretty quickly, too.

The Croissant Shakshuka ended up being the clear winner of the night for me. I actually saved the last piece of croissant till the very end because it had soaked up all the sauce and pesto underneath. The eggs were perfectly runny without becoming messy, the cheese pulled everything together, and the pesto quietly carried the whole dish without screaming for attention. One of those plates where nobody talks for a minute because everyone’s busy eating.

Then came the Tomato Tartar Style dish, which looked very delicate but had more happening than expected. Different tomatoes layered with walnut cream underneath, quinoa adding body, and little fried avocado pieces bringing crunch. It sounds slightly complicated when written down but it didn’t taste like a complicated dish.

The Roasted Beetroot Salad was subtle but not boring. Peppery rocket leaves, little bursts of citrus sweetness, creamy cheese and pistachios give that nutty bite at the end. For many people, this would probably be the safe order but in a satisfying way.

I also tried the Rice Sandwich Du Jour with tofu, which was actually my first proper onigiri experience. The wasabi hit harder than expected, honestly. Cleared the senses immediately. But overall, really enjoyable and surprisingly filling.

Then arrived the chicken dishes. Probably the strongest section of the meal after the shakshuka.

The Chicken Scallopini had a crisp outer layer while staying juicy inside, which sounds basic until you realise how many places mess that up. Underneath were crispy courgette slices, and on top sat tomato marmalade, capers and sage, bringing salty little pops of flavour. Even the croutons added something instead of just existing for decoration.

Also Read: CT Review: I Travelled From Tokyo To Barcelona, One Cocktail At A Time, At Bandra’s District 11

The other chicken main was simpler but comforting. Proper succulent meat, rich jus, truffle mash that didn’t go overboard, plus grilled beans and broccoli with just enough char. 

The prawn main held its own, too. Nicely cooked, not rubbery, thankfully. Also, both mains came with focaccia toast, which disappeared from the table embarrassingly fast.

Cocktails That Played The Main Character

Drinks here deserve attention, too, because the cocktail menu clearly isn’t an afterthought.

The 6PM cocktail was probably the standout. Coffee notes, slight saltiness and a brûlée-style top that made it feel almost dessert-like without becoming heavy. Definitely order that.

Chilli Canvas starts sweet and refreshing with watermelon before the spice slowly creeps in at the end. Very summer-coded drink. 

Decor Pillar had softer coconut and citrus flavours, while Space Jam leaned sweeter overall.

Then there was Art School Dropout, which honestly tasted like vanilla and citrus decided to behave surprisingly well together inside a vodka glass.

Overall Thoughts About Portal: Bistro & Bar! 

Portal Mumbai feels lively, slightly chaotic, warm and personal. Somewhere you go to spend time, not just eat and leave. Also, that Croissant Shakshuka has been on my mind ever since. 

Cover Image Courtesy: Deeplata Garde, Bhavesh Hagwane