Food Guide: Head To These Cafes In Mumbai For Authentic Iranian & Persian Food

The 19th and 20th Centuries invited Iranian immigrants to settle in Mumbai, walking the path paved for them by their Parsi ancestors who arrived 1200 years prior.

Today, several Persian food spots remain corners of nostalgia across the city. But as time goes on, they seem to be fading away, gradually being replaced by the contemporary café culture. Here are a few places you can visit to keep them alive.

Kyani & Co.

Founded in 1904, Kyani & Co. began as a bakery, which then expanded to a wider menu upon a shift in ownership from Mr. Khodram to Farokh Shokri in 2000. Located at Jer Mahal Estate, Marine Lines, the restaurant has a price range of ₹300 for two.

Their bestselling menu items stand to be the chicken cheese egg bhurji (₹90), chicken sali boti (₹170), chicken Iranian kebabs (₹100) and chicken sandwiches (₹70). Finish off your meal with their fan-favourite rum ball (₹40) or cool down with their raspberry ice-cream float (₹90).

But it's understandable that chicken after chicken after chicken isn't a universal order. Stop by for a classic combination of their slightly-sweeter-than-usual chai (₹50) and bun maska (₹30). Unfortunately, Kyani & Co’s non-vegetarian menu is highly regarded compared to their vegetarian options.

Soda Bottle Opener Wala

Quirky, colourful and bursting with Bombay’s food stories, this café and bar is on the ground floor of The Capital Building in the Bandra Kurla Complex. Their classic and creative flavour combinations add up to approximately ₹1100 for two (the price range may vary depending on ordering alcohol).

Soda Bottle Opener Wala is known for its staple street food items like vada pav (₹195) and classic Irani chai (₹125) — the perfect blend of spicy and sweet.

But no one can eat just one of these small plates: aloo tuks (₹445) and the Irani berry burrata chaat, a fusion that would not have left Britannia Uncle amused. Russie’s favourite chicken wings (₹525) are inspired by flavours straight from Kerala, and the chicken shish taouk kebab (₹695), from the Persian neighbour’s recipe book.

Finally, sweeten your meal with their OG Parsi wedding custard (₹295).

Café Mommy Joon

Café Mommy Joon, the home of authentic Persian cuisine, brings you Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Persian flavours from Sunrise Building on Linking Road, Bandra West — with an average price of approximately ₹1500 for two.

Aside from their set lunch menu on weekdays (₹ 850 per person), some popular items from their small plates menu include hummus (₹300), chicken stuffed barbari (₹350) and Persian spicy chicken (₹380).

Their shish kababs (₹550) are a classic, but opt for their joojeh kabob (₹550) for a unique flavour combination of saffron and spices. Additionally, the soltani (₹750) combines the joojeh kabobs with lamb kobideh to give you the best of both.

And Café Mommy Joon’s dessert selection doesn’t disappoint. Although they are known for their baklava (₹230), a few other fan favourites are the saffron tres leches (₹350) — a fusion between the Mexican and Persian sweet tooth — and Mommy Joon’s bread pudding (₹250).

Persian Darbar

From Bandra to Byculla, this family-favourite is tucked near Gloria Church with a price range of around ₹ 2000 for two. Serving since 1976, Persian Darbar has five sections of varying ambiances and interiors, including their Darbar Hall, Deewan-e-khaas, Khayma, Baradari and Mashrabiya.

As for the menu, their range of biryanis are always reordered — from the chicken (₹345) to the mutton Persian special (₹745), veg (₹345) and chicken kabsa (₹745). All dishes layer basmati rice with spices, dressings and vegetables to make for a hearty meal.

And if biryani isn't satisfying your lunch or dinner cravings, don’t worry! Persian Darbar’s menu has more to offer. Their chicken tandoori (₹425) and rumali roti (₹80) pair to provide a course with smoky and spicy flavour; so do the chicken barra kebab (₹490) and tikka (₹390).

This fusion restaurant also caters to vegetarian restrictions, with crowd-pleasers like the veg tawa masala (₹375) and paneer tikka masala (₹435).

Irani Chaiko's

The final restaurant on this list combines North Indian and Iranian foods in their menu — from kheema pao to pani kam irani chai (₹89). Priced at approximately ₹1000 for two, save this as a meal for later near Ashar It Park in Thane West.

Indulge in their brun maska honey (₹65), a crusty round bread with a soft airy centre. For a more filling meal, try their salli boti chicken (₹350) or mutton seekh biryani (₹480). Irani Chaiko’s chicken chapli kebab (₹430) also gives you a taste of Persian heritage spice blends.

You can't leave this spot without looking through their beverage menu — which includes chai, coffee, milkshakes, mocktails, fresh juices and even the Taiwanese-famed drink, boba. End your meal with Irani Chaiko’s comforting malai kheer (₹125).

Food and flavour are central to any cultural heritage. Visit these five places that quietly uphold the Persian influence across the city.

Published on: Saturday, August 16, 2025, 08:55 AM IST