| Dhobitalao | |
| Settlement Type: | neighbourhood |
| Pushpin Map: | Mumbai |
| Coordinates: | 18.9433°N 72.8286°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Maharashtra |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Mumbai City |
| Subdivision Type3: | Metro |
| Subdivision Name3: | Mumbai |
| Subdivision Type4: | Zone |
| Subdivision Name4: | 1 |
| Subdivision Type5: | Ward |
| Subdivision Name5: | A and C |
| Governing Body: | MCGM |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Elevation M: | 11 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Marathi |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
| Postal Code Type: | PIN |
| Postal Code: | 400 002 |
| Blank1 Name Sec1: | Lok Sabha constituency |
| Blank1 Info Sec1: | Mumbai South |
| Blank2 Name Sec1: | Vidhan Sabha constituency |
| Blank2 Info Sec1: | Mumbadevi |
| Blank3 Name Sec1: | Civic agency |
| Blank3 Info Sec1: | MCGM |
Dhobitalao (धोबीतलाव, "Washerman's Lake") is a neighborhood in the city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay) in India. Located in the South Mumbai area at an elevation of 11 m (31 ft), it used to be a location where linen was washed. In British times, dhobis used to wash the British soldiers clothes' here. It was filled up in the mid-17th century as the city began to expand. The lake used to be fed by a number of underground freshwater springs, which were recently uncovered while constructing the subway in the locality.
A public library stands over the land that was the lake. Just off the current site, is the famous Metro Adlabs (formerly Metro Cinema).
The north-eastern part of Dhobitalao is called Cavel, from the Koli name Kolwar. The Kolis of this village were converted to Christianity by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Cavel became a Christian enclave, and later immigrants of this religion, from Goa, Daman, Bassein and Salsette settled here. Other Christian enclaves in Dhobitalao are Sonapur and Dabul.[1]
Dhobitalao is home to the highest number of kudds, Goan clubs that house migrants from Goan villages seeks opportunities and employment in Mumbai.[2]