Cafe Firdos — Restaurant in Mumbai

Café Firdos – Stuck in Time, Stuck in Service

After an impulsive shopping spree at Crawford Market, we stumbled into Café Firdos - more out of convenience than craving. The place sits on a bustling corner, oozing old Bombay charm, but the kind that’s been left behind by time.

The interiors tell you everything you need to know - once probably a local favourite, now surviving more on nostalgia than effort. We walked in during snack time (5 PM onwards, as the menu states) and asked for the Chicken Pepper Roll. The waiter, without much interest, informed us only the regular Chicken Roll was available. Thankfully, that one turned out to be good and well-seasoned.

The Mutton Baida Roti looked promising but tasted muted - lacking the punch and seasoning you’d expect from a dish like that.

Drinks were the saving grace- my Mango Shake was thick and delicious, while my wife’s Lime Mojito was cool and refreshing, balancing the meal.

We spotted Caramel Custard on another table and noticed “Arabic Pudding” on the menu - but the waiter brought us the bill before we could order dessert, making it clear our meal was done in his mind. Not the warmest service around.

Important to note: They accept only cash. Thankfully, this is plastered across the walls, so no last-minute surprises - but in today’s digital-first world, it still feels like a refusal to evolve.

Also worth mentioning - the restroom is Indian-style, and not in the best shape - best avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Verdict: Unless you’re hungry, nearby, and willing to rough it out a bit, this place is easy to skip. The food is passable, the drinks are decent, but the lack of service, dated setup, and minimal hygiene make it hard to recommend.

Rating: 2.5/5 (Half a star purely for the mango shake and the old-city street vibe, if that’s...

Title: Unpleasant Experience - Improperly Cleaned Prawns

I recently dined at Cafe Firdos, and I regret to say that my experience was far from satisfactory. The primary issue that marred my meal was the improper cleaning of prawns in the dish I ordered.

Upon receiving my order, it was immediately evident that the prawns were not adequately cleaned. There were remnants of intestinal veins in several prawns, which not only affected the taste but also raised concerns about food safety. Consuming prawns with undeveloped digestive tracts is not only unappetizing but also poses potential health risks.

I brought this matter to the attention of the restaurant staff, but unfortunately, the response was lackluster at best. Proper hygiene and food preparation should be a top priority for any dining establishment, and it was disappointing to see this standard not met.

I hope this feedback serves as a constructive critique for Cafe Firdos to improve their food quality and service. Until such improvements are made, I cannot recommend this restaurant to others. Cleanliness and food safety are non-negotiable in the culinary industry, and it’s important for all patrons to have confidence in the food...

Crawford market and this area is one of the most crowded shopping markets of the world with a 10000 plus people walking in a day for various purposes. This cafe is situated inside in the busy lanes and is always Busy in peak hours . But the owner and the men in charge are very kind and respectful ( respect given is respect earned ) . Their service is fast and on point, the food is hygienic reasonable and very tasty mughlai dishes . We had the honour to bump into Mr. Mohammed Noor who was one the most cheerful faces around . Please note do walk in a little earlier or later than the peak lunch or dinner hours to get a seat if not you can always wait your turn and sharing tables is welcomed depending on your comfort .

The Seekh kabab masala , the caramel custard, their chicken tikka masala etc is what we tried and...