Specialising in spicy Sichuan cusine, China House is one of the most-loved Chinese restaurants in Mumbai. Grab a booth if you can for added intimacy and order from a set menu or à la carte. There are plenty of inspiring dishes to choose from, but standouts include Kung Po prawns, Dan Dan noodles and steamed crystal dumplings – the Beggars Chicken also comes out tops.

The reason this restaurant succeeds time and time again is simple: great design, a thorough menu, friendly service and a crack team of Chinese chefs that presides over the kitchen. The crowd is a mix of business people slurping noodles and cutting deals and full-on foodies who’ve made the pilgrimage from the city centre.

There’s also the late-night, cocktail-slurping drinking contingent that heads straight to the China House lounge; we’d suggest following them for an Appletini or two.