Best Irani Cafes in Mumbai

Mumbai has always been a melting pot of various cultures since time immemorial. It has also been a cosmopolitan space which has led to it being a hub of uniqueness and exclusivity. This has given the city a certain kind of charm and allure. Be it the hustling and bustling local trains, crowded yet harmonic chawls, skyrocketing buildings, or the plush localities, all seem to be a part of our collective consciousness about Mumbai.

However, one thing without which the city is incomplete is its Irani cafes. These cafes are an important cultural aspect of Mumbai and boast of a legacy of more than 100 years. They were originally opened by Zoroastrian Irani immigrants to British India in the 20th century, fleeing Islamic persecution in West and Central Asia. Mumbai boasts a number of Irani cafés, which are very popular for Irani Chai and Bun Maska. Today, these Irani cafes, even though depleting in number, are a part of Mumbai’s soul. Even the Indian poet Nissim Ezekiel wrote a poem based on instruction boards found in his favourite Irani café: the defunct Bastani and Company in Dhobi Talao, Mumbai.

Here is a look at some of the best Irani cafes in Mumbai.

Established in 1914 by Boman Merwan, the cafe has Bentwood chairs and marble-top tables, which is a signature at most Irani cafes. It serves the standard fare of bun-maska and chai but its mawa cakes are to die for but they are over in the first few hours of the bakery’s opening!

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Located in a busy bylane near Flora Fountain, Yazdani is an iconic bakery that has been serving Mumbaikars for about 100 years. Some items you must not miss out on eating here are the bun maska, Irani chai, ginger biscuits, and during Christmas, the plum cakes.

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One of the oldest Irani cafés in Marine Lines, Kyani is now surrounded by the developing infrastructure of South Mumbai. The cafe is famous for its wine cake and confectioneries. If you plan to visit it, don’t forget to taste the chicken roll and sumptuous keema dishes.

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The cafe was started by Roshan Kohinoor during the pre-independence era and is now run by the third generation of the Kohinoor family. This place is the reason behind the global popularity of the famous Berry Pulav. The credit for the recipe goes to Bachan Kohinoor, wife of Boman Kohinoor, who inherited the business from his father.

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Located near Marine Lines, the cafe was started by Rustam Kaikushru Yezdabadi, who migrated from Yezd, Iran to India. Initially, it sold basic stuff like tea, biscuits, sponge cakes, etc. however, today it is a multi-cuisine restaurant serving Chinese, Parsi, and Sizzlers.

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The café’s menu has everything that you can ask for from a typical Irani Cafe. Located in the Fort area, it is a family-run restaurant that’s now being run by the third generation of the Mazkoori family. Same as other Irani cafes in terms of interior and decor, there most sought after dish is the humble bun-maska.

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Situated in the Fort area of Mumbai, Jimmy Boy serves the standard Parsi salli par eedu, chicken/mutton dhansak and chicken farcha among other dishes. The best thing to order at Jimmy Boy is the Lagan nu Bhonu or the Wedding Thali that will showcase the best of Parsi cuisine.

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