Pranay Maniar
Mumbai's Iconic Parsi Cafes: A Culinary Heritage
Explore Mumbai's rich culinary heritage through its iconic Parsi cafes, offering a blend of Iranian and Indian flavors in a nostalgic setting.
Assimilated into the city as an immigrant group, the Parsis were influenced by different regional food cultures and practices. Over time, a cuisine known as Parsi food—inspired by regionally available ingredients and Indian cooking methods—with an Iranian twist—became well-liked.
With the likes of Dhanshak, a thick curry made out of lentils with meat, Brun Maska, soft sweet bread with butter or Berry Pulao, a special rice dish cooked with spices and topped with berries is one of the few uniquely curated dishes that date back centuries are only available in Mumbai.
The popular Parsi restaurants in the city and decades-old founded during the times of British rule, keeping the same atmosphere alive, these eateries have preserved their age-old architecture, cutlery and recipes active. When one enters one of these places, one goes back to the olden times of the city.
Britannia & Co. Restaurant:
Pic: Zomato
Located in the bustling Ballard Estate area, this iconic restaurant has been serving up Parsi and Continental cuisine for over a century. Founded in 1923 by Rashid Kohinoor, Britannia & Co. is now run by his grandson Boman Kohinoor, who often greets customers with a warm smile and friendly conversation. The restaurant's signature dish is the Berry Pulao, a fragrant rice dish served with succulent pieces of mutton or chicken, caramelised onions, and sweet-tangy barberries. Other popular dishes include Salli Boti, Dhansak, and Caramel Custard.
Berry Pulao, a signature dish at Brittania and Co. pic: Trip Advisor
Cafe Military
Pic: Zomato
Established in 1933, Cafe Military is a cosy eatery located in the heritage precinct of Fort. The cafe's walls are adorned with black and white photographs of Parsi celebrities and historic landmarks, adding to its charm. The menu features Parsi and Indian dishes, with the highlights of the Kheema Pao, Chicken Farcha, and Berry Pulao. The cafe also has a small bar that serves beer and wine, making it a popular spot for a post-work drink.
Cafe Military’s famous Kheema Pao. Pic: Zomato
Yazdani Bakery
Pic: Trip Advisor
Founded in 1953 by Meherwan Zend, Yazdani Bakery is a Parsi-Iranian bakery located in the heart of Mumbai's Fort area. The bakery is famous for its freshly baked bread, especially the Brun Pav, Maska Bun, and Khari Biscuits. The bakery's interior is simple and rustic, with wooden tables, benches, and vintage signage. The bakery also serves a range of Parsi snacks and sweets, including Dhansak, Mawa Cake, and Lagan Nu Custard.
The iconic Brun Pav and chai served at Yazdani Bakery, Pic: Zomato
Kyani & Co.
Pic: Zomato
Established in 1904, Kyani & Co. is a quaint Parsi cafe in the bustling Marine Lines area. The cafe's wooden interiors, old-world charm, and vintage ceiling fans take you back in time. The menu is a mix of Parsi and Indian dishes, with Bun Maska, Akuri, and Kheema Pav being the most popular. The cafe is also known for its Irani chai, which is served in the traditional glass-and-saucer set. Kyani & Co. is a popular breakfast spot among locals and tourists alike.
Kyani and Co’s popular Irani Chai served with Brun and maska
Ideal Corner:
\
Pic: Zomato
Tucked away in a bylane of Fort, Ideal Corner is a hidden gem that serves delicious Parsi food. The restaurant's interiors are simple and unpretentious, with wooden tables and chairs and a few black and white photographs on the walls. The menu is dominated by Parsi dishes, with the Salli Boti, Mutton Dhansak, and Patra Ni Machhi being the must-tries. The restaurant is known for its generous portions and affordable prices, making it a favourite among locals. Ideal Corner is also open for breakfast, serving Bun Maska, Akuri, and omelettes.
Patra Ni Machchi at Ideal Corner, Pic: Zomato
Sassanian Boulangerie:
Pic: NDTV
Sassanian Boulangerie is a century-old bakery located near Metro Cinema in Marine Lines which is over a century old. Known for its delectable mawa cakes, puff pastries, and a range of bread and biscuits, this bakery is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth. The mawa cakes are a particular favourite, with their perfect balance of sweetness and richness. In addition to its baked goods, Sassanian Boulangerie also serves sandwiches, burgers, and shakes, making it an excellent spot for a quick lunch or snack. The bakery's vintage decor and old-school charm add to its appeal, transporting visitors back in time to a bygone era of Mumbai's culinary history.
Soft and Fluffy Mawa cakes, Pic: Trip Advisor
Jimmy Boy Cafe
Pic: Jimmy Boy
Located in the heritage district of Fort in Mumbai, has been serving authentic Parsi food since 1924. The cosy and welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant reflects the Parsi culture with its vintage photographs, memorabilia, and classic wooden decor. The cafe is famous for its signature dishes like Dhansak, Sali Boti, and Berry Pulao, which are a perfect blend of flavours and aromas.
Dhansak served at Jimmy Boy Cafe, Pic: Trip Advisor
The cafe also serves a variety of Parsi desserts like Lagan Nu Custard and Mawa Cake. Jimmy Boy Cafe is a must-visit place for those who want to experience the authentic flavours of Parsi cuisine in Mumbai.
Irani cafés in Mumbai are a well-known part of the city's social structure, but their population has steadily declined over time. These cafés pay homage to bygone eras and embody everything international about Mumbai, continuing a centuries-old heritage of inclusion, simplicity, and indulgence.
Cover image: treebo
Pranay Maniar
15th May 2023•5 mins read
Mumbai's Iconic Parsi Cafes: A Culinary Heritage
Explore Mumbai's rich culinary heritage through its iconic Parsi cafes, offering a blend of Iranian and Indian flavors in a nostalgic setting.
Assimilated into the city as an immigrant group, the Parsis were influenced by different regional food cultures and practices. Over time, a cuisine known as Parsi food—inspired by regionally available ingredients and Indian cooking methods—with an Iranian twist—became well-liked.
With the likes of Dhanshak, a thick curry made out of lentils with meat, Brun Maska, soft sweet bread with butter or Berry Pulao, a special rice dish cooked with spices and topped with berries is one of the few uniquely curated dishes that date back centuries are only available in Mumbai.
The popular Parsi restaurants in the city and decades-old founded during the times of British rule, keeping the same atmosphere alive, these eateries have preserved their age-old architecture, cutlery and recipes active. When one enters one of these places, one goes back to the olden times of the city.
Britannia & Co. Restaurant:
Pic: Zomato
Located in the bustling Ballard Estate area, this iconic restaurant has been serving up Parsi and Continental cuisine for over a century. Founded in 1923 by Rashid Kohinoor, Britannia & Co. is now run by his grandson Boman Kohinoor, who often greets customers with a warm smile and friendly conversation. The restaurant's signature dish is the Berry Pulao, a fragrant rice dish served with succulent pieces of mutton or chicken, caramelised onions, and sweet-tangy barberries. Other popular dishes include Salli Boti, Dhansak, and Caramel Custard.
Berry Pulao, a signature dish at Brittania and Co. pic: Trip Advisor
Cafe Military
Pic: Zomato
Established in 1933, Cafe Military is a cosy eatery located in the heritage precinct of Fort. The cafe's walls are adorned with black and white photographs of Parsi celebrities and historic landmarks, adding to its charm. The menu features Parsi and Indian dishes, with the highlights of the Kheema Pao, Chicken Farcha, and Berry Pulao. The cafe also has a small bar that serves beer and wine, making it a popular spot for a post-work drink.
Cafe Military’s famous Kheema Pao. Pic: Zomato
Yazdani Bakery
Pic: Trip Advisor
Founded in 1953 by Meherwan Zend, Yazdani Bakery is a Parsi-Iranian bakery located in the heart of Mumbai's Fort area. The bakery is famous for its freshly baked bread, especially the Brun Pav, Maska Bun, and Khari Biscuits. The bakery's interior is simple and rustic, with wooden tables, benches, and vintage signage. The bakery also serves a range of Parsi snacks and sweets, including Dhansak, Mawa Cake, and Lagan Nu Custard.
The iconic Brun Pav and chai served at Yazdani Bakery, Pic: Zomato
Kyani & Co.
Pic: Zomato
Established in 1904, Kyani & Co. is a quaint Parsi cafe in the bustling Marine Lines area. The cafe's wooden interiors, old-world charm, and vintage ceiling fans take you back in time. The menu is a mix of Parsi and Indian dishes, with Bun Maska, Akuri, and Kheema Pav being the most popular. The cafe is also known for its Irani chai, which is served in the traditional glass-and-saucer set. Kyani & Co. is a popular breakfast spot among locals and tourists alike.
Kyani and Co’s popular Irani Chai served with Brun and maska
Ideal Corner:
\
Pic: Zomato
Tucked away in a bylane of Fort, Ideal Corner is a hidden gem that serves delicious Parsi food. The restaurant's interiors are simple and unpretentious, with wooden tables and chairs and a few black and white photographs on the walls. The menu is dominated by Parsi dishes, with the Salli Boti, Mutton Dhansak, and Patra Ni Machhi being the must-tries. The restaurant is known for its generous portions and affordable prices, making it a favourite among locals. Ideal Corner is also open for breakfast, serving Bun Maska, Akuri, and omelettes.
Patra Ni Machchi at Ideal Corner, Pic: Zomato
Sassanian Boulangerie:
Pic: NDTV
Sassanian Boulangerie is a century-old bakery located near Metro Cinema in Marine Lines which is over a century old. Known for its delectable mawa cakes, puff pastries, and a range of bread and biscuits, this bakery is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth. The mawa cakes are a particular favourite, with their perfect balance of sweetness and richness. In addition to its baked goods, Sassanian Boulangerie also serves sandwiches, burgers, and shakes, making it an excellent spot for a quick lunch or snack. The bakery's vintage decor and old-school charm add to its appeal, transporting visitors back in time to a bygone era of Mumbai's culinary history.
Soft and Fluffy Mawa cakes, Pic: Trip Advisor
Jimmy Boy Cafe
Pic: Jimmy Boy
Located in the heritage district of Fort in Mumbai, has been serving authentic Parsi food since 1924. The cosy and welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant reflects the Parsi culture with its vintage photographs, memorabilia, and classic wooden decor. The cafe is famous for its signature dishes like Dhansak, Sali Boti, and Berry Pulao, which are a perfect blend of flavours and aromas.
Dhansak served at Jimmy Boy Cafe, Pic: Trip Advisor
The cafe also serves a variety of Parsi desserts like Lagan Nu Custard and Mawa Cake. Jimmy Boy Cafe is a must-visit place for those who want to experience the authentic flavours of Parsi cuisine in Mumbai.
Irani cafés in Mumbai are a well-known part of the city's social structure, but their population has steadily declined over time. These cafés pay homage to bygone eras and embody everything international about Mumbai, continuing a centuries-old heritage of inclusion, simplicity, and indulgence.
Cover image: treebo
Subscribe to our newsletter