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Last updated: May 2026 · By the magicpin Mumbai editorial desk. If you are landing on this page in May 2026, the short answer is: Chor Bazaar is open Saturday to Thursday, 11:00 am to 7:30 pm, and closed every Friday for Jumma prayers. The market still runs on Mutton Street in the Bhendi Bazaar pocket of South Mumbai, even though parts of the surrounding lanes have been redeveloped under the SBUT cluster project. Below is the full May 2026 walkthrough — what to buy, how to bargain, how to get there from Sandhurst Road or Grant Road station, and where to eat once you are done shopping.
What is Chor Bazaar Mumbai (and What is Left in May 2026)
Chor Bazaar — literally “Thieves’ Market” — is roughly 150 years old and is widely treated as the largest flea market in India. Folk legend says it began as Shor Bazaar (“noisy market”) and got mispronounced; another tale claims a violin set belonging to Queen Mary was once recovered here. What is true: the market has been Mumbai’s recycled-goods, antiques and curio district since the 1870s.
In May 2026, the headline change is the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) redevelopment of Bhendi Bazaar. Around 122 Chor Bazaar shops are being moved into the new Al-Ezz towers; two of four phase-2 towers have part-occupancy and 270 shop owners have been handed keys in phased allotments. The skywalk-connected high street will eventually replace the chaotic spill-out of Mutton Street — but as of May 2026 the original lanes are still alive, and you are catching Chor Bazaar in its last unredeveloped chapter.
Chor Bazaar Mumbai Timings & Days (May 2026)
The single most useful fact for any first-time visitor: Chor Bazaar is closed on Fridays. Most of the shopkeepers are Dawoodi Bohra Muslims who shut for Jumma (Friday congregational) prayers, and the surrounding Bohri Mohalla follows the same rhythm. Showing up on a Friday afternoon is the single most common rookie mistake and almost guarantees a wasted trip.
| Day | Timings (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 11:00 am – 7:30 pm |
| Sunday | 11:00 am – 7:30 pm (busiest) |
| Monday | 11:00 am – 7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 11:00 am – 7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 11:00 am – 7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 11:00 am – 7:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed (Jumma) |
Friday morning exception — the Juma Bazaar: Between roughly 4:00 am and 9:00 am on Fridays, a separate dawn market called Juma Bazaar runs in Dedh Galli (the half-lane parallel to Mutton Street). This is where serious bargain-hunters and prop-masters from Bollywood productions go for the very best deals on second-hand shoes, gadgets and odds-and-ends. By 10 am everyone has packed up for prayers. If you can drag yourself out of bed at 4 am, this is the most authentic Chor Bazaar experience left in the city.
Best time of day: Aim for 11:30 am to 2:00 pm on a Saturday or Tuesday. Sunday is the most crowded; Monday is the slowest. Avoid the 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm window during Ramzan (next observed mid-Feb to mid-Mar 2026 — already over by the time you read this), when many shutters drop for the afternoon.
Chor Bazaar Mumbai Address & Exact Location
Address: Mutton Street, Bhendi Bazaar, Kumbharwada, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400003.
The market sits on the South Mumbai peninsula between Mohammed Ali Road and J.J. Hospital. Antique and bric-a-brac shops cluster along a 400-metre stretch of Mutton Street, with parallel lanes Saifee Jubilee Street, Khara Tank Road and Kakad Market. Pin 400003 covers the whole Bhendi Bazaar / Mohammed Ali Road / Pydhonie cluster. If a cab driver looks blank, say “Mutton Street, J.J. Hospital ke paas”.
Best Things to Buy at Chor Bazaar in May 2026
Chor Bazaar is informally divided into themed lanes. Here is what is actually worth your money in May 2026, and what is not.
1. Vintage Bollywood Memorabilia & Hand-Painted Posters
The most exportable thing the market sells. Mini Market, Bollywood Bazaar and Poster Stuff still stock original hand-painted Bollywood posters from the 1950s through the 1980s — Mughal-e-Azam, Sholay, Mother India, Pakeezah. Authentic large-format posters sit in the ₹3,500 to ₹15,000 range as of May 2026; smaller lobby cards run ₹500 to ₹1,500. Reprints are cheaper but visibly newer. Look at the back of the canvas — period-original posters have brittle cloth backing and faded studio stamps.
2. Gramophones, Antique Cameras & Pocket Watches
R-World on Mutton Street and Mini Market further down stock the city’s deepest collection of HMV gramophones (working models ₹12,000 to ₹45,000), brass-horned phonographs, antique Yashica/Rolleiflex cameras, ship’s telegraphs, brass sextants, kerosene lamps, ship anchors and 1930s Bakelite telephones. If you are decorating a restaurant, this is your hunting ground.
3. Colonial-Era Furniture, Chandeliers & Decor
Hidden on upper floors off the main street: rosewood writing desks, Burma teak almirahs, Anglo-Indian planter’s chairs, brass-and-crystal chandeliers, Victorian fountains. Expect ₹8,000 for a side table, ₹25,000-80,000 for a dining set, ₹15,000-1,00,000 for a chandelier. Most shops ship pan-India for 8-12% extra.
4. Second-Hand & Refurbished Electronics
The northern end is dense with stalls selling refurbished iPhones, Androids, used speakers and vintage radios. Be very cautious: many phones are re-cased with unverifiable IMEI history. Refurbished Bluetooth speakers and old transistor radios are the safer buys.
5. Auto Parts, Brass Artefacts & Books
Closer to Maulana Shaukat Ali Road, you enter the auto-parts cluster — replacement Ambassador, Premier Padmini and old Fiat parts, plus retro motorcycle headlamps and Royal Enfield brass badges. A separate pocket carries Chola-style bronzes, brass diyas, antique pooja bells and Tibetan singing bowls (genuine antiques carry hallmarks; unmarked pieces are repro). Near Bismillah Hotel a small bookstall sells second-hand Penguin paperbacks, vintage Bombay Presidency maps and Indian-state postal stamps under ₹500.
Skip: branded sneakers (almost always fakes), “diamond” jewellery, “Persian carpets” over ₹5,000 without provenance, and “antique” Mughal coins — the market is awash in convincing fakes.
How to Reach Chor Bazaar Mumbai (Train, Metro, Cab)
Driving here is a mistake. Mutton Street is barely wide enough for a handcart, parking is non-existent, and the surrounding lanes are routinely blocked by delivery trucks. Use public transport.
By Local Train (the Mumbai answer)
- Sandhurst Road (Central/Harbour line) — closest at ~1.0 km / 14-min walk via Maulana Shaukat Ali Road. Best from CSMT, Byculla, Vashi.
- Grant Road (Western line) — ~1.6 km / 18-min walk or 5-min auto. Best from Churchgate, Mumbai Central, Bandra.
- Marine Lines — 2.5 km, viable in a cab.
By Metro (May 2026 status)
Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line) opened the full Cuffe Parade-to-Aarey stretch in late 2024. Nearest Line 3 stops are Girgaon (~2 km, 8-min cab) and Grant Road Metro (Western Railway interchange). Line 2B and Line 7 do not yet serve South Mumbai.
By BEST Bus & Cab
Routes 11 LTD, 51, 165, A-1, A-4, A-6, A-7 and A-134 stop within 200 m. From Bandra: 45-60 min, ₹350-500 Uber. From T2 airport: 50-75 min, ₹550-800. Auto-rickshaws don’t enter South Mumbai — use a cab or kaali-peeli for the last leg.
Bargaining at Chor Bazaar: A Practical Playbook
Opening prices are almost always 3x to 4x what the seller will accept. The script that works:
- Walk past once — note what you like but don’t pause. Stopping too long burns leverage.
- Ask price casually, then counter at 30% of asking.
- Be ready to walk away. The seller will follow for 5-10 metres if serious; price drops fastest in that window.
- Settle at 40-50% of original asking. Genuine antiques: 60% is fair. Reproductions: 35% achievable.
- Cash > UPI > card. About 60% of stalls take UPI. Carry ₹500 and ₹100 notes.
- Bundle buys. Two posters together will cost 30% less than two separate purchases.
Never tell the seller it’s your first time, never mention a flight tomorrow, never reveal a second item you want until the first deal closes.
Food Stops Near Chor Bazaar: 8 Mohammed Ali Road & Bhendi Bazaar Restaurants on magicpin
Once you have shopped, walk five minutes north-east into Mohammed Ali Road — the most legendary Mughlai-and-Bohri food street in India. Here are eight places we have personally vetted, all bookable / discount-able via magicpin in May 2026.
Shalimar — Mohammed Ali Road
The grand-daddy of South Mumbai Mughlai. Order the Mutton Raan, Chicken Sanju Baba and Khichda, especially during Ramzan. Booth seating, decades-old menu, surprisingly fast service. View Shalimar on magicpin.
Sarvi — Nagpada
The kebab institution of Bhendi Bazaar — in business since 1949. The Bheja Fry, Sarvi Kebab and Khichda are the orders. Always crowded after 8 pm. Five-minute walk from Mutton Street. View Sarvi on magicpin.
Noor Mohammadi Hotel — Mohammed Ali Road
1923-vintage restaurant credited with inventing the “Chicken Sanju Baba” (apocryphally for Sanjay Dutt). Order the Nalli Nihari, Mutton Marag and a kulcha. Four-minute walk from Chor Bazaar. View Noor Mohammadi on magicpin.
Taj Icecream — Bhendi Bazaar
Run by the same Bohri family for four generations — this is the place for handmade fruit ice creams (sitafal, mango, chickoo). Tiny corner shop, no seating; eat your scoop on the curb. Two-minute detour from Mutton Street. View Taj Icecream on magicpin.
Surti 12 Handi — Nagpada
Twelve simmering handis lined up at the door — pick a curry, they ladle it onto rotis or rice. Surti Mutton Curry and Bara Handi Paya are the calls. Cheap, authentic, no frills. View Surti 12 Handi on magicpin.
Shabbir’s Tawakkal Sweets & Eats — Mohammed Ali Road
Bhendi Bazaar’s favourite stop for Malpua, Shahi Tukda and Aflatoon — a dense semolina-and-nut Bohri sweet. The savoury counter does respectable seekh rolls too. View Shabbir’s Tawakkal on magicpin.
Cafe Layl — Mohammed Ali Road / Byculla West
Newer entrant (opened 2023), targeting younger crowds with Arabic-style mandi platters, mocktail-shisha pairings and late-night service. Good if you want a sit-down break from the dust. View Cafe Layl on magicpin.
Chinese N Grill — Mohammed Ali Road
The strangest and best Indo-Chinese-Mughlai mash-up on the road. Chicken Manchurian Tikka, Schezwan Seekh Roll. Open till 1 am most nights. View Chinese N Grill on magicpin.
Save 5-30% across all of these by paying with magicpin — load your wallet first, then pay at the counter and scan back the bill. The cashback runs higher on weekday lunches than weekend dinners.
Mumbai Chor Bazaar vs Delhi Chor Bazaar: Which is Better?
People who have never been to either ask this constantly. The honest answer:
| Feature | Mumbai Chor Bazaar (Mutton Street) | Delhi Chor Bazaar (Jama Masjid / Daryaganj) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Antiques, Bollywood, brass, gramophones | Books, second-hand clothes, knock-off electronics |
| Days open | Sat-Thu 11am-7:30pm; closed Friday | Sundays only (Daryaganj book bazaar) |
| Bargaining | Aggressive, 30-50% of opening price | Aggressive, 25-40% of opening price |
| Provenance | Some genuine antiques, more reproductions | Mostly mass-produced, fewer antiques |
| Food nearby | Mohammed Ali Road (Mughlai, Bohri) | Karim’s, Al-Jawahar (Mughlai) |
| Crowd factor | Manageable except Sunday | Brutal on Sundays |
If you want curios, decor and a side of Bollywood nostalgia, Mumbai wins. If you want second-hand books and street energy, Delhi wins. Neither is “better” in absolute terms.
Things to Remember Before You Visit (May 2026)
- Skip Friday unless you are doing the 4 am Juma Bazaar.
- Closed shoes, modest clothing. Narrow lanes, packing-crate nails, conservative neighbourhood.
- Carry cash + UPI. Cash preferred; UPI works at ~6 in 10 shops.
- Cross-body zipped bag in front. Pickpocketing is the only real risk.
- Allocate 3 hours minimum. Photograph items before bargaining starts.
- Carry water. May 2026 has touched 38°C this week and there are few public taps.
- Plan shipping for furniture — 8-12% extra for pan-India delivery.
- Combine with Crawford Market (1.2 km away) for a full afternoon.
Also read: Tulsi Baug Pune Market Guide and Colaba Causeway Mumbai Shopping Guide.
FAQs about Chor Bazaar Mumbai (May 2026)
Q1: What are the Chor Bazaar Mumbai timings in May 2026?
Ans: Chor Bazaar is open Saturday to Thursday from 11:00 am to 7:30 pm. It is closed on Fridays for Jumma prayers. A separate dawn Juma Bazaar runs in Dedh Galli on Friday mornings between 4 am and 9 am for serious bargain-hunters.
Q2: Where exactly is Chor Bazaar Mumbai located?
Ans: Mutton Street, Bhendi Bazaar, Kumbharwada, Mumbai 400003. The market spans roughly 400 metres along Mutton Street, plus the parallel Saifee Jubilee Street, Khara Tank Road and Kakad Market lanes.
Q3: Which is the nearest railway station and metro to Chor Bazaar?
Ans: Sandhurst Road on the Central/Harbour line is the closest local-train station (about 1.0 km, 14-min walk). Grant Road on the Western line is the next closest. The nearest Mumbai Metro Line 3 stop is Girgaon (about 2 km, 8-min cab).
Q4: What are the best things to buy at Chor Bazaar in 2026?
Ans: Hand-painted Bollywood posters, gramophones and antique cameras, colonial-era furniture and chandeliers, brass and bronze pieces, vintage car parts, and second-hand books. Skip branded electronics and unverified “antique” coins.
Q5: Is Chor Bazaar still authentic with the Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment?
Ans: As of May 2026, the original Mutton Street market still operates in its traditional lanes. SBUT’s redevelopment has moved 270 shop owners into Phase-1 and Phase-2 towers, with about 122 Chor Bazaar shops scheduled to relocate over the next few years. This is your last window to see the original.
Q6: Where should I eat near Chor Bazaar?
Ans: Walk five minutes east into Mohammed Ali Road. Top stops are Shalimar, Sarvi, Noor Mohammadi Hotel, Taj Icecream, Surti 12 Handi, Shabbir’s Tawakkal, Cafe Layl and Chinese N Grill — all on magicpin with 5-30% cashback.
Q7: Where can I park near Chor Bazaar?
Ans: Don’t. Closest legal parking is J.J. Hospital (paid, often full) or near Crawford Market. Take a cab or train and walk in.
