Whether you are early risers or partygoers, Mumbai has something to keep you company! Walkers and joggers are out and about in the city at the crack of dawn. The quiet hiss of kerosene heaters gearing up to brew tea and the soft clanging of cutlery can be heard on empty streets, deep into the city and its chawls. Tea shops are beginning to open.
Soon, the sun will rise over the skyscrapers, and the noises of sizzling, frying, and stirring will fill the early morning air. Mumbai will be wide awake and ravenous, and nothing beats a deliciously hearty breakfast to quench this hunger.
Let’s take a quick look at the historic cafes and restaurants that have defined breakfast joints for generations!
B Merwan and Co.
This century-old jewel is tucked away on Grant Road, noted for its timeless appeal. Boman Merwan founded the cafe in 1914, which is well-known for its fresh bread and buttery mawa cakes. The century-plus-old Irani Cafe in Mumbai has a timeless beauty because of its rustic furniture, vintage décor, antique-designed flatware and nostalgic charm. The third generation is currently running the café.
Kyani & Co.
From 1904, Kyani & Co has been a mainstay in Mumbai, carrying on the tradition of Parsi cuisine. The cafe, with its red checkered mats and retro vibe, never fails to wow with its delectable offerings of masala omelette and kheema. Since Iranian immigrants started pouring into the city in the tenth century, Zoroastrian migration and the food that goes along with it have been blending with Indian cuisine. They’ve had a lasting impression on the nation's gastronomic landscape. When a gentleman named Khodram Marezaban decided to introduce the distinct flavour of Irani cuisine to the city, this Parsi cafe was created.
Vig Refreshments
This 75-year-old restaurant is known for its dal pakwan, a Sindhi dish that blends lentil curry with crispy fried bread. Praveen’s great-grandfather was the mastermind behind the pakwan recipe, when the family relocated from Lahore to Chembur in Mumbai after Partition and took up residence in a camp for refugees. A simple channe ka dal (chickpea stew) with sweet chutney makes the dal pakwan finger-licking good! The menu also features chole bhature and lassi, offering a delightful fusion of Sindhi and Punjabi flavours.
Cafe Churchill
Colaba's Cafe Churchill is hailed as the spot that introduced the city to cheesecakes. It has been run by Polly and Brenda Mistri since 1995. There is a rumour that their visits to America compelled them to serve continental cuisine at the cafe. The guest list was usually extravagant, with celebrities like M F Husain, actor Farooq Shaikh, actress Tanaaz Currim, and film producer Firoze Nadiadwala. Every meal, whether it's the Fungi Spinach Alla Parmaggiano pasta, Fernando Pasta, Club Sandwich, or Chicken Lasagna, is a culinary extravaganza with a touch of European culture.
Cafe Madras
This has been a mainstay of Mumbai's South Indian cuisine for more than eight decades. It was founded in 1940 by a gentleman named Gopal Purshottam Kamath. The restaurant's extensive menu still includes favourites like the dosa and filter coffee. The neer masala with stew, idli butter podi, pessarattu (a variant of the dosa from Andhra Pradesh made with green gram batter), molagapodi (a powdered chutney made from roasted dal and dry red chillies), and the Madras dahi misal (a curry made of spicy sprouts and yoghurt) are some of the other popular dishes on the menu.
J Hearsch & Co.
This famous Mumbai bakery has a history entwined with World War I, so don't anticipate much sitting, but make up for it with delectable treats. According to legend, in the 1920s, after World War I (1914-1918), a German baker named J Hearsch gave the bakery to a woman named Sophia Liberata Fernandes. After strained ties between Britain and Germany, J Hearsch was hoping to lease his bakery to someone and take sanctuary in Germany. It’s now known for its chicken cutlets, cheese croissants, and mutton samosas, making it a cherished stop for tasty treats.
Image source: Lifestyle Asia, Parsi khabar, LBB