There are meals, and then there are moments — the kind that sit comfortably between nostalgia and a well-earned food coma. My recent visit to Pizza By The Bay in Mumbai was precisely that: a coastal breeze, carbs, and cheesy contemplation bundled into one unforgettable evening.
Now, if you’ve never heard of Pizza By The Bay, allow me to take you on a little trip down memory lane. Perched right on Marine Drive with an enviable view of the Arabian Sea, this place has stood the test of time like a loyal Bollywood extra—always in the background but oddly essential to the scene. Formerly known as Jazz By The Bay, the restaurant once thrummed with live music and soulful saxophones. Over time, the vibe shifted from smoky jazz to sizzling pizzas, but the spirit? Still deliciously dramatic. With its crisp white interiors, enormous windows, and the hum of waves just outside, Pizza By The Bay feels less like a restaurant and more like an edible love letter to Mumbai’s coast.
Now, onto the good stuff — the food. After being seated by the window (pro tip: always ask for the sea-facing view if you can), I kicked things off with a bowl of Pink Sauce Pasta — penne with chicken. Now, I know what you’re thinking — pink pasta sounds like something Barbie might order after yoga, but hear me out. This wasn’t your average cafeteria concoction. It was the perfect marriage of tomato tang and creamy comfort, coating the penne in a sauce so velvety, it practically whispered sweet nothings with every bite. The chicken? Juicy, generously portioned, and clearly not just there for moral support. Every forkful was a creamy, cheesy, tomatoey hug — the kind you want after a long week and a longer diet you weren’t really sticking to anyway.
Then came the showstopper: BBQ Chicken Pizza with stuffed crust. I can already feel the cheese stretching in slow motion as I write this. First off, this isn’t your timid, bite-sized pizza pretending to be fancy. This is a bold, hearty slab of indulgence. The crust was stuffed like it had secrets to tell, oozing with molten cheese that deserved a standing ovation. The BBQ chicken topping was tender, smokey and ever so slightly sweet—just enough to make your taste buds do that Bollywood head tilt in approval. Drizzled with just the right amount of tangy BBQ sauce, the flavours danced between rich and playful, much like the people jogging past Marine Drive trying to pretend they’re not staring at your plate.
Portion-wise, both dishes were generous — the kind you order thinking you’ll split but end up guarding with the intensity of a sleep-deprived dragon. The pasta was enough for a satisfying main, while the pizza was ideal for sharing (if you’re feeling charitable).
As for the service? Smooth as mascarpone. The staff were attentive without hovering, and the food came out at that Goldilocks tempo—not too fast, not too slow, just right. Price-wise, it’s on the slightly premium side, with my meal setting me back around ₹2,400–₹2,600 all in. But considering the view, the quality, and the sheer serotonin of that stuffed crust, I’d say it’s money very well spent.
So, if you ever find yourself at Marine Drive with the sea calling and your stomach growling, Pizza By The Bay is your siren song. Go for the view, stay for the cheese, and leave with a belly full of happiness and just a little existential guilt. You know, the good kind.
Final Verdict?
Come for the coastline, stay for the crust.
This has been another slice of life from Verdicts of Vipul. Catch you next bite.
Verdicts of Vipul 
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