Mumbai is a city very close to my heart. It’s my second home in India, and the home to my largest flagship yet. What makes this city a timeless classic is the way the past and present come together. Its beauty lies in its fabled heritage. —Sabyasachi Mukherjee

The Taj Mahal Palace, which is located right on the Mumbai harbor.

The Taj Mahal Palace

They don’t make hotels like this anymore! The 120-year-old harbor landmark is an absolute architectural and historical marvel. What makes it truly special is the Heritage Wing, which dates back to 1903. It’s the quintessential representation of Indian entrepreneurship, history, and hospitality.

It’s also walking distance from Colaba Causeway, a bustling commercial street, which is a wanderer’s paradise. And, finally, it’s been my home away from home for 20 years now. I’ve lived there and worked there, and it was my retreat and makeshift headquarters when setting up my new Mumbai store. I’ve even shot a recent campaign around the beautiful poolside. I have no second hotel in Mumbai—if there’s one place you must stay, it’s the Taj. (tajhotels.com)

The Ballard Estate Heritage Walk

Walking through South Bombay’s first deliberately planned commercial hub, which was built in the early 1900s, evokes a sense of the country’s rich history and heritage. The roads are named after former jetties, including Goa Street, Cochin Street, and Calicut Street. It’s a beautiful example of preserving the past but keeping it dynamic and functional for today. The pièce-de-résistance is the Edwardian-style architecture along beautiful tree-lined avenues. It has greatly inspired me over the years. Ballard Bunder Gatehouse, now a maritime museum within the estate, is where “boat trains” connected Bombay to the world.

Hamilton Studios

This is one of the oldest photography studios in the country. It is named after Lady Hamilton, an 18th-century English actress, and has a growing archive of 600,000 images and counting. (instagram.com)

The Port Trust War Memorial

The memorial stands as a beacon and a reminder of the Indian troops who lost their lives during World War I.

Trishna

Go here for the seafood. It started as a hole in the wall in 1930 and is now part of Bombay’s culinary legacy. An absolute must-visit. (instagram.com)

Inside Britannia & Co., an old-school cafe that brings together Iranian, Parsi, and Indian flavors.

Britannia & Co.

This is the most legendary of Irani cafes in the city. Have the berry pulao (pilaf rice), a raspberry soda, and the sali boti (a parsi meat dish.) With its unique, cafe-style decor and cuisine, it is a perfect coming together of Iranian, Parsi, and Indian flavors. Uniquely Bombay. (instagram.com)

Leopold Cafe & BAR

This is another essential. It’s an Irani cafe with a story of resilience and survival. It’ll always have a place very close to my heart. (instagram.com)

Khyber Restaurant

Head here for perfectly authentic northwest frontier cuisine. Think tandoori raan, nalli nihari and so on. It’s a meat lover’s paradise. (instagram.com)

Parsi Dairy Farm

Famous for its kulfis and toffees, it has recently been renovated yet fully retains its traditional charm and quality. (parsidairyfarm.com)

Waiting for sandwiches outside the Hajiali Juice Centre.

HajiAli Juice Centre

This small cafe is street-side innovation at its best. The sandwich is transformed with Indian spices, ingredients, and flavors. It’s one of those essentials that never disappoints. (hajialijuicecenter.in)

Sindhudurg Restaurant

Visit Sindhudurg in Dadar for its Malvani cuisine, which originates from the Maharashtra Konkan region. It pairs complex flavors and the freshest seafood, making it absolutely delectable. After lunch, try the sweet-and-sour golas, the jewel-colored ice lollies at the food stalls that speckle Chowpatty and Juhu beaches. (facebook.com)

Mumbai’s Crawford Market, as seen from above.

Crawford Market

I have always been inspired by bazaars and souks—I think they’re an explosion of culture, craft, and retail. I’d start my shopping adventure here, in one of the oldest markets in the city. The building hails from the late 19th century, and always reminds me of New Market, which is in my home in Calcutta. The charm of these old markets can never be replicated. It’s a great place to thrift everything from décor to spices.

Chor Bazaar

This market deserves its own day to rummage through all the various antique and vintage pieces. My go-to is Taher Allys.

The Elephanta Caves

These caves are a ferry ride away and definitely a must for a day trip. They’re a series of absolutely stunning rock-cut cave temples from the fifth to sixth century A.D. Both Buddhist and Hindu temples are found here. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (asi.nic.in)

Sabyasachi Mukherjee is a designer, jewelry designer, and couturier. His limited-edition lipstick with Estée Lauder is out now

Photos: Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com/Shutterstock (Mukherjee); Marina Pissarova/Alamy (The Taj Mahal Palace); Atul Loke/Panos Pictures/Redux (Britannia & Company); Luis Dafos/Alamy (Haji Ali Juice Center); Frédéric Soltan/Corbis News/Getty Images (Crawford Market)