Cafe Excelsior in Mumbai is one of the oldest and last few surviving Irani cafes in the city. The cafe turns 100 years old this year. Ardeshir Mazkoori, the third generation owner relives the old days while talking to mid-day. Known for its delicious Parsi dishes such as Salli Boti, Cutlets, Patra Ni Machchi, etc, this cafe is frequented by famous personalities and film celebrities.
The Guide Restaurant Awards 2019, mid-day’s annual recognition for Mumbai’s standout food and drink talent, honours some of the city’s last surviving Irani cafés for enduring culinary contribution by a diaspora community. Unique to Mumbai, they fight inflation and competition from fast food. The Irani’s, as the cafes, are lovingly called offer no-nonsense service, food unique to the Iranian Zoroastrian/Iranian Muslim community with a charm that’s redolent of old-world Bombay. Watch this video to know more.