Mumbai’s Parsi restaurants have achieved celebrity status in their own right. Most of these restaurants are famous today, thanks to the internet and their long-standing history of serving delicious and authentic Parsi cuisine. One such restaurant is Britannia & Co., and as part of Unstumbled’s Dine and Dish series, we decided to try its highly acclaimed food to see if it lives up to the hype.
In the Dine and Dish series, we explore various restaurants and provide honest recommendations on whether you should dine there. Continue reading to discover our adventure at Britannia & Co.
About Britannia And Co.
The iconic Parsi eatery sits in the quaint lanes of Ballard Estate, Fort. Britannia and Co. was run by the late Mr Boman Kohinoor, a third-generation Zoroastrian immigrant from Iran. It was started in 1923 by his father, Mr. Rashid Kohinoor in Mumbai and has been an important landmark in Ballard Pier. The restaurant’s name comes from an intriguing anecdote. According to the story, a British municipal officer told Mr Rashid that if he chose a British-sounding name for his venture, he would receive his license within 24 hours. The rest, as they say, is history.
Mr. Boman Kohinoor was known for his wit, cheery personality, and enthusiasm seldom found in people of his age. Not just him, but even the place reflects timelessness – nothing has changed in the restaurant since its inception. From its ambience to its furniture and even the tables with the iconic red and white striped cloth, everything seems to have frozen in time. While Britannia and Co. is famous for its vintage aesthetics, it is also famous for its food, which is why we decided to try it out ourselves. Like every other Mumbai Parsi restaurant, we were most excited to try Pallonji’s soda and the lip-smacking variations of Dhansak. Did it live up to its hype? Let’s find out!
First Impressions: Yay Or Nay?
The moment team Unstumbled stepped into the restaurant, we were transformed into a timeless era of Mumbai. While Britannia and Co. is somewhat in a dingy, rundown state, it only adds to the rustic, vintage aesthetics of the place. The chairs and tables are just ever-so iconic – the ones you’d find in almost all Parsi restaurants. The walls have interesting cutouts of newspaper articles and pictures of our freedom fighters, reminding us that this place has been here even before India became independent.
And, the biggest surprise was the giant, life-sized cutouts of Prince William and Duchess Kate of the British Royal Family looking over us as we stepped foot inside. For those of who you don’t know, Mr. Boman Kohinoor claimed to be the biggest fan of the British Royal Family and we totally get the obsession!
Food And Drinks At Britannia And Co.
Without wasting a minute, we sat down and ordered the classic raspberry soda. You can’t go wrong with this drink – it was refreshing and berry delicious! Moving on, we ordered their famous Mutton Cutlets. While we found them to be slightly oily, they were rich in flavor and the mutton was well-seasoned. The juicy cutlets set our expectations high as we picked up the menu to order Chicken Farcha.
For those unversed, it is somewhat similar to fried chicken drumsticks prepared in a classic Parsi style. We were excited to try out Chicken Farcha, but it turned out to be a huge letdown. The chicken felt bland and it didn’t pack as much flavor as we thought it would have. Next, we moved on to ordering Salli Chicken – a classic Parsi delicacy consisting of a chicken gravy with potato salli (thin fries) on top of the curry. We hoped this dish would do it, but sadly it was too watery and tasted like a watery tomato paste.
Just when we were about to give up, we decided to try out their Mutton Dhansak as our last main course. Dhansak is a popular Parsi preparation made by combining lentils and meat, either mutton or chicken. We had kept our expectations low, but we were taken aback by the surprisingly good Dhansak. While it was just a tad bit low on salt (which we added later), the dish tasted like heaven! The rice was delicious and soft and the mutton pieces were tender.
Desserts At Britannia And. Co
There’s always room for desserts, so, without any hesitation, we ordered the classic Parsi restaurant staple. A good old plate of Caramel Custard. How can anyone go wrong with this jiggly caramel pudding? It was soft and sweet, and just perfect to end the savory meal.
Price At Britannia And. Co
For the food that we tried, the total bill turned out to be INR 2,301. We definitely felt that the menu at Britannia and Co. is overpriced for the taste and quality. While the portion sizes are huge, the prices don’t justify the above-average taste most of its items have.
If you’re someone who’s looking for a budget-friendly experience in Mumbai’s vintage restaurants, this place is not for you. You can get a similar experience at a more affordable price in a lesser-known or a low-key Parsi restaurant in Mumbai’s bylanes.
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Timings And Address
Days: Monday – Saturday (Closed on Sundays)
Timings: 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Address: Britannia St, Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400001
Price For Two: INR 2,000 approximately
Note: The restaurant does not have an online payment system, so it is advised to carry cash.
Summing Up
Overall, our experience at Britannia and Co. was no less than a rollercoaster ride. While the ambience is quite decent and takes us down memory lane, the food is overpriced and has room for improvement. Additionally, the restaurant hasn’t kept up with its modern customers – you must only pay with cash. This can be inconvenient sometimes, as the bills can easily skyrocket here. So, if you’re a fan of Parsi food and want to experience the old-world charm of Mumbai, this can be a one-time visit, but there are plenty of other eateries offering a similar experience at better prices and food quality.
FAQs
Who Is The Owner Of Britannia Cafe Mumbai?
Mr Boman Kohinoor was the owner of Britannia and Co. in Mumbai. He recently passed away in 2019, leaving behind a rich legacy of his restaurant.
Is Photography And Videography Allowed Inside Britannia And Co.?
No, the restaurant is particularly strict about its rules and prohibits shooting videos or taking pictures.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Britannia And Co.?
The restaurant is open only for a few hours throughout the day, so we recommend visiting it as soon as it opens, by 11.30 AM or 12 noon. This way you won’t have to wait for seating and it also makes for a great time for a brunch in Mumbai.
