In Mumbai, south Indian breakfast is mainly restricted to idlis and dosas along with quirky innovations with the same two dishes. While a sizeable population of Telugu communities from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana reside in and around the city, Andhra food, excluding versions of Hyderabadi biryani, is yet to make it to the popular taste preferences among Mumbaikars.

A quick check on well-known restaurants serving south Indian dishes gives one a list of ‘Udipis’, ‘Theerams’, ‘Madras cafes’ and ‘Thambis’, but the city is devoid of outlets recognised for serving the best Andhra meals in the city. It may come as a surprise for many that while New Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore have their own Andhra Bhavan and local Andhra mess outlets, Mumbai does not have one. And the ones who set out to dedicate their culinary ventures to the much-needed cuisine had to shut operations during the pandemic.