Bademiya - Colaba — Restaurant in Mumbai

Bade Miyan, located in the bustling area of Colaba, Mumbai, is a legendary eatery that has become synonymous with the city’s vibrant street food culture. Just a few kilometers from the iconic Gateway of India and Marine Drive, this restaurant has been a favorite for locals and tourists for decades, known for its delicious rolls and kebabs, quick service, and a nostalgic vibe.

Ambiance and Vibe:

Bade Miyan is steeped in history, dating back to its humble beginnings as a small street-side cart in 1946. Over the years, it has transformed into a popular eatery while still retaining much of its old-world charm. The place exudes a nostalgic atmosphere, with its simple seating arrangements, bustling kitchen, and the intoxicating aroma of sizzling meats wafting through the air. The sight of chefs expertly grilling kebabs over open flames and rolling out parathas adds to the lively and authentic street food experience that Bade Miyan is known for.

Culinary Delights:

Bade Miyan is celebrated for its variety of rolls and kebabs, which have become the stuff of legend in Mumbai’s culinary scene. The rolls are a must-try, featuring a choice of succulent meats—like chicken, mutton, or beef—wrapped in soft, freshly made parathas. Each bite is a burst of flavors, thanks to the perfect blend of spices, juicy meats, and a hint of tangy chutney.

The kebabs are equally popular, with options ranging from seekh kebabs and shammi kebabs to malai tikkas and boti kebabs. Cooked to perfection on open grills, these kebabs are tender, smoky, and incredibly flavorful, making them a favorite among the late-night crowd looking for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Service and Hospitality:

Despite its humble appearance and high demand, Bade Miyan is known for its quick and efficient service. The staff are well-versed in handling large crowds, ensuring that orders are taken and served promptly. The casual, no-frills approach to service reflects the essence of a true street-side eatery, where the focus is on good food and a fast turnaround.

Location and Pricing:

Situated just 3-4 kilometers from the Gateway of India, Bade Miyan is conveniently located for anyone exploring the heart of Mumbai. While its central location and reputation contribute to its allure, it's important to note that the pricing at Bade Miyan is considered extremely high, even by Mumbai standards. Many patrons have remarked that the cost of the dishes, though delicious and part of the Mumbai food experience, feels unreasonable given the simplicity of the setup and the casual dining experience. The hype surrounding Bade Miyan, combined with its prime location, certainly factors into the steep prices, but some may find it hard to justify the cost for what is essentially street food served at a premium.

History and Legacy:

Bade Miyan isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a piece of Mumbai’s history. Founded by Mohammed Yaseen, who was affectionately known as “Bade Miyan,” this eatery has been a fixture of the city’s food landscape for over 75 years. The place has countless stories attached to it, from late-night visits by celebrities and politicians to its enduring popularity among night owls craving a midnight snack. The legacy of Bade Miyan is firmly rooted in Mumbai’s cultural fabric, and it continues to draw crowds who come not just for the food but also to be part of its storied history.

Conclusion:

Bade Miyan offers a taste of Mumbai’s street food heritage with its delicious rolls and kebabs and quick service in a location rich with history. However, while the flavors and the nostalgic atmosphere are undeniably appealing, the high prices might be a deterrent for some. If you’re looking to indulge in some iconic Mumbai street food and don’t mind splurging for the experience, Bade Miyan is worth a visit. However, for those on a budget, there are plenty of other options in Mumbai that offer similar flavors without the...

My Experience: Iconic Street-Style Non-Veg Heaven: Bademiya is not just a restaurant—it's a Mumbai legend. Located behind the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, it's famous for its open-air kitchen, smoky grills, and fast-paced service. I had the Chicken Seekh Kebab Roll and Mutton Baida Roti—spicy, juicy, and full of flavor.

Late-Night Lifesaver: Bademiya opens from 7 PM till 3 AM, making it a favorite among night owls, partygoers, and tourists exploring Colaba. The vibe after midnight is electric, especially on weekends.

Casual Ambience – Not a Fine Dine: If you're looking for AC seating, silver cutlery, and ambient music—look elsewhere. But if you enjoy watching chefs toss kebabs on sizzling grills under neon lights, you’ll love the energy here.

Quick Service, Busy Staff: The place is often crowded, especially post 9 PM, but service is surprisingly quick. The staff is efficient, though not overly chatty—understandable considering the crowd they handle every day.

Cash + Digital Payments Accepted: They accept UPI, credit/debit cards, and cash. You won’t face payment issues.

No Parking Zone – Walk or Auto Recommended: Parking is a challenge in Colaba. It’s best to walk down from the Gateway or take an auto.

Must-Try Dishes:

Chicken Seekh Kebab Roll – Smoky and well-spiced.

Mutton Baida Roti – Egg-wrapped spicy meat filling.

Chicken Bhuna with Roomali Roti – Bold masalas, soft roti.

Paneer Tikka (for vegetarians) – Surprisingly good!

Interesting History Facts:

Started in 1946: Bademiya was founded by Mohammed Yaseen, a butcher from Bijnor (U.P.), who started selling kebabs from a tiny cart near Colaba after India’s independence.

Name Origin: “Bade Miya” means "elder brother" in Urdu—a title of respect given to the founder by his loyal customers.

Started with Rs. 20 Capital: The founder borrowed Rs. 20 from a friend to start the stall—which eventually became a Mumbai institution.

Celebrity Favorite: Bademiya is known to attract Bollywood stars and international tourists. You might spot actors, cricketers, or food vloggers enjoying a roll late at night.

Inspired Other Chains: Bademiya’s success led to the opening of multiple branches across Mumbai—like the ones at Lower Parel and Bandra. However, the Colaba original remains the most authentic.

Staff Generations: Many staff members have been working here for decades—some second-generation employees now serve where their fathers once grilled kebabs.

The Taj Effect: Its proximity to the Taj Mahal Hotel made it a go-to for tourists looking for an authentic "Mumbai food" experience after fine-dining.

Open Kitchen Drama: The open grill setup is a performance on its own. Flames, smoke, sizzling meat, and expert hands flipping rotis—it’s a street food theatre.

Pros:

Legendary taste & legacy

Great for non-veg lovers

Open late night

Street food vibe in an elite location

Cons:

Very crowded at peak hours

No formal seating (main branch)

A bit pricey for street food standards

Final Verdict:

Bademiya is a must-visit if you're in Mumbai and love kebabs or want to experience the real street-food culture. It’s loud, smoky, and full of character—exactly how Mumbai’s best food...

Short review:

Good for visiting for tasty food if you want to eat small portions and experience authentic food. One of the popular places around so expect it to be crowded.

Long review:

There was lot of crowd. Even then the waiting time was small of about 15 minutes due to good management of the restaurant. The place has a very boring plain ambience which doesn't add to the experience. Many others were eating on the road in cars itself creating huge traffic jam on the road. This restaurant has no place for so many people. This is financed by illegal bribery to the police for allowing all this chaos to take place.

The waiter was rude and not so attentive at all. They are way too understaffed, so I don't think this is the fault of the waiter who had to juggle between many tables. The seats were really cramped and not super comfortable. But not too much of a problem as one could sit for 1-2 hrs.

Food portions were very small for the price compared to other places. The taste was solid and on the better side though. We tried Mutton bheja fry, Chicken keema fry, Chicken Bhuna, Butter Chicken. Best was Bheja fry and chicken bhuna. Butter chicken was sweetish. Rumali Roti was really well made. The starters are somewhat expensive with 3 sheek kebab pieces for about 250Rs or so. Chicken biryani was mediocore. The baida roti wasn't that great. Have had better ones at other places. Matka Rabadi was superb. Recommend you to try it.

The service at the restaurant was quick as food was arriving quickly. However the waiter was not approachable and nowhere to be found many times. Old plates were just there on the table unclean. It became a mess to eat with everything cramped into one small table for all. Some items on the menu were straight unavailable. I don't know why they were then still written on the menu. Mildly annoying considering the fact that anything even slightly differing from the menu was not available at all.

The restaurant didn't accept payments other than cash payments and that was going to almost cause problems for us. Since the rates are so high for small portions, the bill was high and they were not accepting cards. Who carries around so much cash on the go? Need to improve on that.

Wouldn't recommend this restaurant for a family outing. If you are alone or with a small group (3-4) of friends, then visit this restaurant for a quick mouth...