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Host: Lavina

Mumbai (Bombay), India

USD
$24-$34 per person

Experience Authentic Mangalorean Cooking in Mumbai with Lavina

Host offerings
  • Apartment
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Lavina

Lavina was born and raised in Muscat, Oman. After completing her formal education there, she moved to Mumbai to pursue a Master’s in Business Management, specializing in Human Resource Management. Lavina worked as an HR professional for several years before life took a beautiful turn with the arrival of her twins. Cooking has always been her true passion. Growing up, she had the privilege of learning from her grandmother, watching her create authentic Indian delicacies with love and skill. Lavina also inherited her grandmother's handwritten recipe book, a treasured family heirloom she holds dear. Since 2019, Lavina has embraced her love for food as a home chef, running her own catering business and offering in-home dining experiences. Now, she is thrilled to share her culinary expertise through cooking classes that showcase the rich food, culture, and history of India. Come join Lavina and her family for an unforgettable culinary journey in her home in Mumbai. Experience the diversity and depth of Indian cuisine firsthand, and discover the stories behind each dish.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-4 guests) Authentic local food experience in Mumbai – dine with a local family! Lavina lives in a cozy apartment in Santacruz, an upscale residential neighborhood near Juhu Beach, with her husband and twins. She invites travelers to experience the rich flavors of Mangalorean cuisine through a home dining experience in Mumbai. This unique experience is perfect for those looking to connect with Indian culture through food, enjoy traditional Indian dishes, and dine in the comfort of a local's home. Lavina hails from Mangalore, a coastal city in Southern India known for its distinct culinary traditions. During your visit, she will share some of her favorite Mangalorean dishes that she grew up eating, offering you an authentic taste of her heritage.

The experience begins with a welcome drink and an introduction to Indian spices, followed by a seat at the family dining table. Here, you’ll enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal served the traditional way—on a banana leaf or a steel thali. The meal includes an appetizer, chicken pepper fry, pickles, and salad, followed by a main course, chicken stew paired with spongy appams (rice pancakes, and dessert such as payasam, followed by traditional mukhwas (mouth refreshers). End the meal with a refreshing cup of filter coffee, a beloved South Indian classic. This local food experience in Mumbai offers a true taste of Indian culinary traditions and is an ideal way to immerse yourself in the culture and flavors of Southern India. Whether you're visiting Mumbai for the first time or exploring the city's rich heritage, Lavina’s home dining experience promises to be a memorable and authentic culinary journey.

Cooking experience: (2-3 guests) Hands-on Indian cooking class in Mumbai, learn to cook authentic dishes with Lavina in her home kitchen. Looking for fun things to do in Mumbai or interested in learning authentic Indian cuisine? Join Lavina for a 1.5-hour hands-on Mumbai cooking class where you’ll learn to cook two traditional Indian dishes. During this interactive cooking class, Lavina will teach you how to fry crispy dosas (please note, the dosa batter needs to be fermented in advance, so it will be pre-prepared for the class), prepare a flavorful potato stuffing, and make a delicious semolina pineapple halwa. She will guide you step by step through the cooking process, while sharing stories, tips, and culinary traditions that are passed down through generations. This is not just a cooking class; it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in Indian food and culture, while learning to cook a home-cooked meal loved by locals. After cooking, sit down together to enjoy the meal you helped prepare.

Notes: Lavina's home is in Santacruz West, 20 mins from the International airport and 10 mins from the Domestic airport in Mumbai. She can accommodate a vegetarian diet on request, if informed in advance.

Languages spoken: English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Meal only menu: pepper chicken or prawn fry, appam and chicken or veg stew, channa sukka, pickle, papad, yogurt and payasaam
  • Cooking class + meal menu: masala dosa, sambar, chutney, semolina pineapple halwa, filter coffee or masala chai.

Traveler reviews

This is a new host who does not yet have any reviews. You can see reviews of our other Mumbai Traveling Spoon experiences on TripAdvisor:
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Lavina

$24-$34 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $24 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $34 Not offered
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $24 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $34 Not offered
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 1:00pm-3:00pm 6:30pm-8:30pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm

Meet Lavina

Lavina was born and raised in Muscat, Oman. After completing her formal education there, she moved to Mumbai to pursue a Master’s in Business Management, specializing in Human Resource Management. Lavina worked as an HR professional for several years before life took a beautiful turn with the arrival of her twins. Cooking has always been her true passion. Growing up, she had the privilege of learning from her grandmother, watching her create authentic Indian delicacies with love and skill. Lavina also inherited her grandmother's handwritten recipe book, a treasured family heirloom she holds dear. Since 2019, Lavina has embraced her love for food as a home chef, running her own catering business and offering in-home dining experiences. Now, she is thrilled to share her culinary expertise through cooking classes that showcase the rich food, culture, and history of India. Come join Lavina and her family for an unforgettable culinary journey in her home in Mumbai. Experience the diversity and depth of Indian cuisine firsthand, and discover the stories behind each dish.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-4 guests) Authentic local food experience in Mumbai – dine with a local family! Lavina lives in a cozy apartment in Santacruz, an upscale residential neighborhood near Juhu Beach, with her husband and twins. She invites travelers to experience the rich flavors of Mangalorean cuisine through a home dining experience in Mumbai. This unique experience is perfect for those looking to connect with Indian culture through food, enjoy traditional Indian dishes, and dine in the comfort of a local's home. Lavina hails from Mangalore, a coastal city in Southern India known for its distinct culinary traditions. During your visit, she will share some of her favorite Mangalorean dishes that she grew up eating, offering you an authentic taste of her heritage.

The experience begins with a welcome drink and an introduction to Indian spices, followed by a seat at the family dining table. Here, you’ll enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal served the traditional way—on a banana leaf or a steel thali. The meal includes an appetizer, chicken pepper fry, pickles, and salad, followed by a main course, chicken stew paired with spongy appams (rice pancakes, and dessert such as payasam, followed by traditional mukhwas (mouth refreshers). End the meal with a refreshing cup of filter coffee, a beloved South Indian classic. This local food experience in Mumbai offers a true taste of Indian culinary traditions and is an ideal way to immerse yourself in the culture and flavors of Southern India. Whether you're visiting Mumbai for the first time or exploring the city's rich heritage, Lavina’s home dining experience promises to be a memorable and authentic culinary journey.

Cooking experience: (2-3 guests) Hands-on Indian cooking class in Mumbai, learn to cook authentic dishes with Lavina in her home kitchen. Looking for fun things to do in Mumbai or interested in learning authentic Indian cuisine? Join Lavina for a 1.5-hour hands-on Mumbai cooking class where you’ll learn to cook two traditional Indian dishes. During this interactive cooking class, Lavina will teach you how to fry crispy dosas (please note, the dosa batter needs to be fermented in advance, so it will be pre-prepared for the class), prepare a flavorful potato stuffing, and make a delicious semolina pineapple halwa. She will guide you step by step through the cooking process, while sharing stories, tips, and culinary traditions that are passed down through generations. This is not just a cooking class; it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in Indian food and culture, while learning to cook a home-cooked meal loved by locals. After cooking, sit down together to enjoy the meal you helped prepare.

Notes: Lavina's home is in Santacruz West, 20 mins from the International airport and 10 mins from the Domestic airport in Mumbai. She can accommodate a vegetarian diet on request, if informed in advance.

Languages spoken: English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Meal only menu: pepper chicken or prawn fry, appam and chicken or veg stew, channa sukka, pickle, papad, yogurt and payasaam
  • Cooking class + meal menu: masala dosa, sambar, chutney, semolina pineapple halwa, filter coffee or masala chai.

Traveler reviews

This is a new host who does not yet have any reviews. You can see reviews of our other Mumbai Traveling Spoon experiences on TripAdvisor:
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $24 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $34 Not offered
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $24 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $34 Not offered
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 1:00pm-3:00pm 6:30pm-8:30pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

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    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

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    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

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    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

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