Quick answer: Colaba Causeway, officially Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, is a busy shopping street in South Mumbai, a few minutes’ walk from the Gateway of India. It is known for pavement stalls selling clothes, jewellery, bags and souvenirs, and for old cafés such as Leopold Cafe (1871) and Cafe Mondegar (1932). There is no entry fee. Stalls have no official opening hours; they typically trade from late morning into the evening.
Colaba Causeway at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Official name | Shahid Bhagat Singh Road |
| Location | Colaba, South Mumbai, close to the Fort area, the Gateway of India and the Taj Mahal Palace hotel |
| Known for | Street shopping, boutiques, heritage cafés |
| Entry fee | None; it is a public street |
| Timings | No official hours; most stalls open from late morning to evening |
| Best time to visit | October to March; late afternoon or evening on weekdays |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 hours |
An earlier version of this article said the pavement shops open at 10 am and close between 9:30 and 10 pm. Individual stalls set their own hours and we could not confirm a common timing, so treat these as rough.
History of Colaba Causeway
Mumbai was once seven separate islands. Colaba, at the southern tip, and the smaller Old Woman’s Island next to it were cut off from the main island of Bombay by water. In 1796 Colaba was declared a cantonment, and as boat traffic to the area grew, several people died when overcrowded boats capsized. At the same time, the Fort area was overcrowded and the city was spreading; Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay from 1819 to 1827, had built the first house on Malabar Hill.
The British East India Company built the causeway to link Colaba and Old Woman’s Island to the main island. It was completed in 1838, during the tenure of Sir Robert Grant as Governor of Bombay (1835 to 1838). Development picked up after the Cotton Exchange was built at Cotton Green in 1844. The causeway was widened in 1861 and again in 1863, and in 1873 horse-drawn trams were introduced on the road by the firm Stearns and Kittredge.
The road was later officially renamed Shahid Bhagat Singh Road after the freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, but most people still call it Colaba Causeway, or simply “the Causeway”.
Shopping on Colaba Causeway
The Causeway suits every budget. The pavements are lined with stalls selling:
- clothes, scarves and footwear;
- costume and silver jewellery;
- bags, belts and sunglasses;
- books, including second-hand titles;
- home decor, small antiques, curios, carpets and shawls;
- souvenirs for visitors.
Behind the stalls are shops and boutiques, from electronics and cosmetics stores to designer labels. Prices at the stalls are usually negotiable, so bargain politely and compare a few stalls before you buy.
The old version of this article recommended several named boutiques. Shops on the Causeway change often and we could not confirm that those stores still operate at the addresses given, so they have been removed. Browse on foot; the street is best explored walking.
Cafés and food on Colaba Causeway
Leopold Cafe
Leopold Cafe and Bar, opposite the Colaba police station, was founded in 1871 by Irani settlers and named after King Leopold of the Belgians. Over the years the premises have been a cooking-oil store, a restaurant, a shop and a pharmacy. Long popular with foreign travellers, it became widely known through Gregory David Roberts’s novel Shantaram and its sequel, The Mountain Shadow.
On the night of 26 November 2008, Leopold was one of the first places attacked in the Mumbai terror attacks. Gunmen fired into the café, killing about ten people (accounts give 10 or 11) and injuring many more. The café reopened within days and has kept some bullet marks as a memorial.
Cafe Mondegar
Cafe Mondegar, in Metro House on the Causeway, was started in 1932 by Irani Zoroastrians as an Irani café in what was then the reception area of the Apollo Hotel. It later became a restaurant and bar and is said to have had Mumbai’s first jukebox. Its walls and entrance ceiling are covered with murals by the cartoonist Mario Miranda, painted in the 1990s and showing scenes of Mumbai life.
The old version of this article also described a well-known kebab stall nearby with a specific founding story. We could not verify those details, so they have been left out. The area has plenty of restaurants and street-food options at every price.
Tips for visiting
- Go on foot. The pavements are crowded and the road is busy; walking is the easiest way to browse.
- Bargain. First prices at the stalls are often high.
- Mind your belongings. Keep phones and wallets secure in the crowds, especially in the evening.
- Check quality. Look closely at stitching, clasps and “silver” items before paying.
- Combine your visit. The Gateway of India, the museum and the Kala Ghoda galleries are all within walking distance.
How to reach Colaba Causeway
- Suburban rail: Churchgate (Western line) and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Central and Harbour lines) are the nearest suburban stations, each a short taxi ride away.
- Metro: Mumbai Metro Line 3 (the Aqua Line), whose southern terminus is Cuffe Parade, also has stations at Churchgate and Hutatma Chowk.
- By road: Taxis and BEST buses serve Colaba from across South Mumbai. Parking on the Causeway itself is difficult.
Places to visit near Colaba Causeway
- The Gateway of India is a short walk away, as is the jetty for boats to the Elephanta Caves.
- The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai’s main museum, is close to the northern end of the Causeway.
- The Jehangir Art Gallery in Kala Ghoda shows contemporary Indian art, with free entry.
- For antiques and vintage finds, compare the Causeway with Chor Bazaar.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official name of Colaba Causeway?
Its official name is Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, but almost everyone calls it Colaba Causeway.
When was Colaba Causeway built?
The causeway linking Colaba and Old Woman’s Island to the main island of Bombay was completed by the British East India Company in 1838, when Sir Robert Grant was Governor of Bombay.
Is there an entry fee or fixed timing for Colaba Causeway?
No. It is a public street with no entry fee. Stalls and shops set their own hours, generally from late morning into the evening.
What is Colaba Causeway famous for?
Street shopping for clothes, jewellery and souvenirs, and historic cafés such as Leopold Cafe and Cafe Mondegar.
How far is Colaba Causeway from the Gateway of India?
It is within walking distance. Cafe Mondegar, on the Causeway, is about 450 metres from the Gateway.
History and details in this guide were checked in October 2026 against published histories of Colaba Causeway, Leopold Cafe and Cafe Mondegar. Shops and opening hours change, so check locally.
