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Irani cafes in Mumbai are integral to the story of Mumbai. Mumbaikars love their bun maska and chai, and there’s no place better than the best Irani cafes in Mumbai to do so. These quaint cafes are scattered across the city – in the middle of commercial areas, near railway stations, inside forgotten by-lanes, or cornered within some of Mumbai’s oldest buildings. Some of these iconic establishments have stood the test of time, and can give the contemporary joints of today a run for their money!
Do you love great food with history? Does food occupy a special place in all your memories? The next time you’re visiting this buzzing metropolis, a stop at some of these legendary Irani Cafes is a must! They’ve got it all – delicious cuisine, old-world charm, reasonable rates, and contain the collective memories of the incredible Parsi community in Mumbai.
Here to get you started is a list of some of the top Irani cafes in Mumbai.
The iconic Britannia and Co Restaurant is as old and charming as the city it calls home. Considered one of the best Parsi restaurants in Mumbai, the restaurant has been around since the 19th century.
This restaurant has a setting unlike other restaurants– portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, Mahatma Gandhi, and the flags of India, the United Kingdom, and Iran decorate the walls. We also love the rare vintage photographs of Mumbai from the 19th century.
Parsi food in Mumbai is synonymous with Britannia. When at Britannia, try their legendary Chicken Berry Pulav, Mutton Dhansak, Sali Boti, and Caramel Custard.
Cost for two: INR 1000
Timings: 12 pm to 4 pm
Address: Wakefield House, 11 Sprott Road, 16 Ballard Estate, Opposite New Custom House, Mumbai
Would you go anywhere for that perfect bun maska? If the answer is a resounding yes, make your way to Yazdani Bakery & Restaurant in the small lanes of commercial Fort. It’s a culinary adventure that will take you back through the by-lanes of time.
Yazdani opened its doors in 1953 and is one of the oldest Irani cafes in Mumbai. Their divine bakery items are all handmade or baked in diesel ovens. They are famous for some of the softest bun maskas dolloped with butter. Also, try their delicious ginger biscuits that go very well with chai.
Cost for two: INR 200
Timings: 6 am to 10 pm
Address: Location: Fountain Akbar Ally, Saint Thomas Cathedral, Fort, Mumbai
Need an early-morning pick-me-up? Then stop by Merwan & Co., located near the Grant Road Railway Station. This restaurant is over a century old and has been serving the best breakfast to Mumbai’s residents ever since.
Merwan & Co starts its day at 5:30 am, where early-morning office goers drop by for delectable mawa cakes, bun maska, bhurji pav, and Irani chai. It’s a no-frills eating joint with delicious bakery items and an efficient service to boot! The café has a quintessential 70s restaurant vibe when Mumbaikars from all walks of life bonded over cups of Irani Chai and bun maska. If you’re in the city, it’s one of the must-visit Irani cafes in Mumbai.
Cost for two: INR 100
Timings: 7 am to 6 pm
Address: Ali Bhai Remji Road, Opposite Station, Grant Road East, Grant Road, Mumbai
Cafe Military is a popular Parsi eatery in the Fort area. It’s a quaint restaurant with vintage wooden furniture and great food at reasonable rates. It also serves beer, most peculiar for a Parsi joint.
There’s a signature all-round happy vibe to the place, which makes eating here a pleasant experience each time. Try their Keema Pav, Akuri, Mutton Dhansak, Caramel Custard, and Kheema Gotala.
Cost for two: INR 250
Timings: 8:30 am to 10 pm
Address: Ali Chamber, Tamarind Lane, Fort, Mumbai
One of the most well-known Irani cafes in Mumbai, Kyani Bakery & Co., is over 100 years old. The café lies in a gorgeous building with tall roofs that are reminiscent of times past. What adds to the charm of this iconic Irani Café in Mumbai are the wooden chairs and ceiling, its red gingham placemats and jars of sweets from the 90s.
When you are there, don’t forget to try their selection of confectionery and cakes. They are some of the best you will find in the city. No visit to an Irani Café in Mumbai would be complete without a taste of the Bun Maskas and Irani Chai.
Cost for two: INR 300
Timings: 7 am to 8:30 pm
Address: Location: JSS Road, Jer Mahal Estate, Opposite Metro Cinema, Marine Lines, Mumbai
Jimmy Boy is an Irani café in Mumbai with a difference. This café with its groovy music, chandeliers, and wrought-iron railings has been around since the 1920s. Unlike other Irani cafes in Mumbai, the most popular items here aren’t bun maska and chai, but delectable Margi Na Farcha, Salli Per Edu, and Mutton Gravy cutlet. They also cook the staple Parsi items such as Chicken Dhansak and Kheema Pav really well. The next time you are in the Fort area of Mumbai, be sure to visit this piece of history.
Cost: INR 800
Timings: 8 am to 11 pm
Address: 1, Vikas Building, Bank Street, Near, Horniman Circle, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Getting to Charni Road isn’t easy for everyone, but that’s where you can find most Irani Cafes. Matunga is home to the brilliant Café Gulshan.
Café Gulshan has a massive fan following among students and residents of Matunga. It’s a famous Parsi eatery with old-world charm and the most legendary Bun Maska, Bhurji Pav, and Chicken Lollipop. They also have nine delicious varieties of Maggi.
Cost: INR 700
Timings: 9:30 am to 11 pm
Address: Balkrishna Nivas, 265, Next To Welingkar Colleges, LN Road, Matunga East, Mumbai.
While we’re still speaking of Matunga Irani Cafes, let’s not forget Koolar & Co. – a fantastic joint run by Amir Koolar and his brother Ali. The brothers stay near the café and drop in regularly to interact with their customers.
Established in 1932, it is one of the oldest and best Irani cafes in Mumbai. Some of the furniture here has been around since they first opened shop. We love their old tiles, trinkets, and vintage posters that mark the territory. It’s the perfect ambiance to go with excellent Irani Chai or their famous Irish Coffee.
Koolar & Co. is famous for its amazing Parsi breakfast and all-day snacks. Some of our favorites: the Wrestler Omelette (5 eggs in this one!) and the spicy Kheema Pav. Wipe the Kheema off your plate with their delicious Bun Maska. Also, try their incredible selection of mawa cakes and biscuits.
Cost for two: INR 400
Timings: 6 am to 11 pm
Address: 541, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Rd, Matunga, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400019
A trip to Mumbai warrants a visit to the buzz of Colaba. This vibrant location has all manners of restaurants and cafes, including a great Irani Café. Colaba is home to Paradise, which serves up some of the best Parsi cuisine in the area.
Paradise has undergone a style shift in recent years, from rustic charm to contemporary cool. Some of the crowd favorites here are Salli Boti, Lagan Nu Custard, and Dhansak. But true food-lovers come here for the exotic Atheli Marghi and Papeta Ma Ghosht – two dishes you won’t find in other Irani cafes in Mumbai. You could also choose from their weekly menu with their daily specials.
Cost for Two: Rs. 700
Timings: 11.30 am to 10.30 pm
Address: S. B, Sindh Chambers, S., M, Colaba Causeway, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400005
Cafe Irani Chaii is a relatively new restaurant in Mumbai owned by filmmaker Mansoor Showghi Yezdi. While it can’t compare in legacy to other cafes, the food here more than makes up for it.
Café Irani Chaii has a stellar breakfast menu that’s a favorite with residents in Bandra and Mahim. The bun maska and Irani chai are its USPs. Some of the other items you must try here are the Akuri (Parsi-style scrambled eggs), Mutton Samosa, Masala Omelette, Chicken Irani, and of course, the fluffy Mutton Keema Pav.
The restaurant’s ambiance is a throwback to authentic Irani cafes of the past. With its checkered tablecloths, bakery items in glass displays, and jars full of Phantom Sweet Cigarettes and Kismi bars – Café Irani Chaii is sure to transport you to simpler, happier times.
Cost for two: Rs 400
Timings: 7 am to 11 pm
Address: 9, Rosary Chawl, Mangireesh CHS Ltd., MMC Road, Mahim, Mumbai
If you’re looking for the Irani Café experience in a modern setting, a trip to Soda Bottle Opener Wala is an excellent option. Soda Bottle Opener Wala is famous for its Eggs Kejriwal, Chicken Berry Pulao, Chicken Farchs, Vada Pav, and Salli Boti.
Cost for Two: INR 1200
Timings: 8:30 am to 12 am
Location: Ground Floor, The Capital Building, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai; Viviana Mall, Eastern Express Highway, Near Jupiter Hospital, Majiwada, Thane West, Mumbai
So take out those stretchy pants and head to these cafes for the best Parsi food in the country! Happy Eating!
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April 15, 2024 
