What:  For those who treasure Mumbai’s vintage charm, the news that the 100-year-old Irani café, B Merwan and Co at Grant Road will shut down spelt a rush of memories: of downing cups of tea with bruns against the backdrop of friendly banter, the mawa cake rush at 8 am and sharing notes about India’s political rollercoaster with strangers across the table.

An empty wrapper of a mawa cake lies on the table inside the eatery. The workers start making the cakes at 3 am and they get sold out by 8 am. Pic/Kashish Parpiani