India Iran Bhai Bhai! And boy have we greatly benefitted from this brotherly love. Cafe Irani Chaii is that place that you always tend to pass by but never entered. And yes, I do regret not visiting this establishment before now.
A small cafe located in the heart of Mahim, Cafe Irani Chaii provides the simple pleasures of life. Foot traffic is limited during the morning time and you get a table almost immediately. Tables seat two people each. As you enter the place, the ambiance promptly shows the history of the cafe. Tons and tons of complimentary articles are proudly displayed on almost every wall. The interiors are lined with wood paneling which may be why the cafe was cool while the outside wasn't so.
It is very much a given that you must order a classic Irani Chai. I highly recommend this wonderfully simple beverage. Piping hot when served, this Irani Chai hits all the right notes and doesn't even have a hint of a bitter aftertaste. And what Irani Chai can ever be complete without a side of delicious Bun Maska? The raisins in the bread give a good twist to a plain butter and bread combo. We also tried the Toast Bun Maska Jam which was good too. Another dish I must recommend is the Toast Cheese. This cheese sandwich is so simple yet so delectable. One is more than enough to satisfy the junk food cravings of two people. I'd go back to the cafe again just for this and the chai.
Service is very quick at this place. Servers take your order and serve your dishes as soon as they're ready. Servers also keep to themselves and clear out the table as soon as a party leaves. The overall atmosphere is very quiet. The patrons also tend to respect that and keep the volume of their conversations to a minimum.
Cafe Irani Chaii is a place that demands to be visited again and again. I'm sure that each visit will...
Read moreThe youngest Irani restaurant by a mile, Cafe Iranii Chai is situated bang opposite Canossa high school in Mahim. Having opened just a few years ago, everything from the tablecloth to the chairs to the menu under the table glass, it's all classic Irani. With just about 5-6 tables it's quite tiny, and when occupied to the fullest it can get cramped. We got a table not far from the fan luckily, which was needed given this October heat. Though unfortunately they had run out of all their cold drinks and desserts, nor did they have ice or cold water, which is very surprising given the weather. Our first order was Chicken Russian Kebab and Chicken Farcha. The former was definitely better, had a nice, almost street food kind of spice. The farcha was slightly disappointing for the meat was a bit bland, though the fried cover was of course very tasty. I recommend opting for the kebab between the two. This was followed by two omelettes, the first being Cheese Omelette and the other being Chicken Cheese Omelette. Both had a huge amount of cheese (there's no such thing as too much cheese!!), while the latter had plenty of meat in it, pepper flavoured it seemed to be, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We rounded off our meal with some Bread Pudding, a decent sweet dish, big in size, appropriately sweet, though for my liking it seemed to have less proportion of egg. To sum up then, Irani restaurants is a dying breed unfortunately, and Cafe Iranii Chai has the potential to give a good account of this wonderful species of eateries. The waiters are polite and attentive, so service wise there are no complaints. A little more expensive compared to other Irani's, the cost in most cases is justified by the serving portion as well as the taste. All in all it's worth a try (perhaps more so in...
Read moreI recently had the pleasure of visiting cafe Irani chaii, a charming Irani cafe located in the heart of Mahim. From the moment I stepped inside, I was transported to a bygone era with its vintage decor, checkered tablecloths, and old-world charm. The cafe had a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for a leisurely breakfast or an afternoon tea.
The menu was filled with a variety of traditional Irani delicacies, and I was eager to try them all. I started my culinary journey with a classic Irani chai paired with freshly baked bun maska (bread and butter). The chai was rich, aromatic, and had just the right amount of sweetness. The soft, buttery bun was the perfect accompaniment, and I savored every bite.
For my main course, I opted for their mutton kheema pao. The flavors were balanced, and the meat was exceptionally tender. It was a true delight for my taste buds.
The service was friendly and attentive. The staff members were knowledgeable about the menu and provided helpful recommendations. They took the time to explain the history behind the dishes, adding to the overall experience.
The only reason I didn't give a full five-star rating was the limited vegetarian options on the menu. While they did have a few vegetarian dishes, it would be great to see more variety and options for non-meat eaters.
Overall, my experience at Irani chaii was delightful. The combination of delicious food, nostalgic ambiance, and excellent service made it a memorable visit. If you're in Mumbai and looking to experience authentic Irani cuisine in a charming setting, Irani chaii is definitely...
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