There was a time when Mumbai was full of Parsi cafes thanks to a large number of Parsi migrants in the city. Today, their numbers have dwindled and most of them have exchanged their original set up for the commercial glitter. However, there are still some of them that maintain their original character and transfer you to the olden days. What makes them unique is their fan following and loyalists who see them as a part of Bombay rather than Mumbai. An authentic Parsi Café is one where you can enjoy a cup of hot, Irani chai and nibble on bun maska while the world passes by outside. Let us look at some of the best Parsi cafes in Mumbai that bring back memories of past:
1. Britannia & Co
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Where: Wakefield House, 11 Sprott Road, 16 Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai
Known for: Berry Pulav, Dhansek, Sali chicken
Cost for 2: 600/-
Rashid Kohinnor, the person who established this café in 1923, was like a few other Zoroastrian immigrants from Iran. He decided to get into the restaurant business in the city once known as Bombay. Could he have imagined that Britannia & Co. would have people requesting reservations right up to era of iPad menus? Today in the able hands of the third generation, Boman Kohinoor, this café still serves food influenced by the family’s Iranian and Parsi roots. The old world charm here comes alive with Bentwood furniture that was once imported from Poland during the eatery's early years.
Also Read : Things About Mumbai We Openly Hate But Secretly Love2. Yazdani Bakery
Image Source: Elroy Serrao/Flickr
Where: Fountain Akbar Ally, Saint Thomas Cathedral, Fort, Mumbai
Known for: Iranian Chai, brun maska
Cost for 2: 400/-
Back in 1951, Meherwan Zend started the Yazdani Restaurant and Bakery in place of a Japanese bank that stood there through World War II. Today, the three brothers, Rashid, Zend, Parvez and his son, Tirandaz run the bakery. Once inside, you can take your seat on one of the many wooden benches in the modest sized seating area. A slight look around the place will divulge its rich history. The vintage framed posters of burly men, the humongous clock from an era gone by, and the antique brass call bell make the Yazdani experience a charming one.
Also Read : Places in Mumbai Where You Get Delicious Pizzas3. Jimmy Boy
Image Source: zomato.com
Where: 11, Vikas Building, Bank Street, Near Horniman Circle, Fort, Mumbai
Known for: chicken farcha, chicken dhansak, mutton sheikh kebabs
Cost for 2: 300/-
Situated in the South Mumbai area, Jimmy Boy restaurant serves fast food and Indian cuisine but specializes in Parsi Food. With its old style decor, big open windows and a high ceiling dining area, the visitors are bound to relish the delectable parsi food.
Also Read : Theme Restaurants in Mumbai That Offer You an Ultimate Dining Experience4. Kyani & co
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Where: 657, Jermahal Estate, JSS Road, Tak Wadi, Lohar Chawl, Opposite Metro Cinema, Marine Lines, Mumbai
Known for: Irani chai and bun maska
Cost for 2: 500/-
With its high ceiling, black bentwood chairs and checkered table cloths, Kyani & Co is one of the oldest Irani joints in Mumbai. What attracts the visitors is their display of wide variety of cakes, biscuits including ones made from wine, puffs and patties. Their most famous fare, of course, is the elaichi-laden Irani chai and melt-in-your-mouth bun maska.
Also Read : Home Bakers In Mumbai Who Bake Charming Little Treats5. Café Military
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Where: Ali Chamber, N Master Road, GPO, Mumbai
Known for: Caramel custard, kheema
Cost for 2: 300/-
With walls featuring mirror panels typical Iranian decor and quirky bawatips on display, the modest cafe is popular among those who want to enjoy their vindaloo with chilled beer. Besides a set menu, the cafe serves one of Iranian favourites, caramel custard, kheema as well as akuri.
Also Read : Exotic Ice Creams That You Must Try in Mumbai6. B Merwan & Co
Image Source: zomato.com
Where: Shop No. 1/ 2, Merwan Building, Frere Bridge, Allibhai Premji Road, Opp Grant Road Station East, Mumbai
Known for: mawa cakes, mawa samosas and puffs
Cost for 2: 200/-
The old-world charm and the mawa cakes of this century-old bakery continue to lure customers, so much so that the cakes are out of stock as early as 11 in the morning. Brimming with patrons any time you visit, B Merwan is also famous for its mawa samosas, mawa puffs, biscuits and walnut cakes among other confectioneries.
Check Out: Best Places to Eat in Mumbai
7. Sassanian
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Where: 98, Marine View, 1st Marine St, Dhobitalao, Mumbai
Known for: plum cakes, mutton cutlets
Cost for 2: 250/-
This century old café in Mumbai is named after the Sasanian dynasty of Iran. The ardent fans of this bakery swear by its oven-fresh baked plum cakes, wafer-thin khari biscuits and mutton cutlets.
8. Kooler& Co
Image Source: zomato.com
Where: 541, Kings Circle, Noor Mahal, Ambedkar Road, Matunga, Kings Circle, Matunga, Mumbai
Known for: Omelet and Iranian Black Tea
Cost for 2: 350/-
Furnished with a vintage rotary dial phone and an old-time silver samovar a Persian metal container traditionally used to heat and boil water the cafe is great for some chai-time snacks. Go for the Irani wrestler omelette (made up of five eggs) along with Iranian black tea.
9. Ideal Corner
Image Source: zomato.com
Where: 12/F/G, Hornby View, Gunbow Street, Fort, Mumbai
Known for: kheema golata, bharuchi akuri
Cost for 2: 450/-
This cafe offers a set Persian lunch menu that varies every day with recipes like vegetarian and mutton dhansak, fish dhundar patio, bharuchi akuri a scrambled egg preparation with raisins and cashews and chicken brabourne, comprising chicken soaked in beer and cooked. If you wish to eat a snack instead, opt for the delicious chicken and cheese patties or kheema gotala.
Also Check: 11 Eateries in Chennai with best cupcakes10. K Rustom’s ice cream
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Where: 87 Stadium House, Opposite Ambassador Hotel Veer Nariman Rd, Churchgate, Mumbai
Known for: ice creams sandwiched between wafers
Cost for 2: 250/-
Time to finish this list with something sweet! Relish those crispy wafers alonng with varieties of ice creams that melt in your mouth. It belongs to the time when there were neither fancy ice cream parlors nor imported ice cream brands in Mumbai. It invented the concept of Ice cream to be sandwiched between pickwick type soft biscuits.
So which of these Parsi café would you like to visit?
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