Bombay’s affair with the Parsi community has never been under wraps. Having witnessed the city’s transformation from Bombay to Mumbai, the community played an important role in shaping several parts of South Mumbai. Its influence remains visible in the city’s architecture, educational institutions, businesses, and, of course, its food.
Mumbai’s Parsi and Irani food culture has given the city restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and dairy shops that generations of Mumbaikars have grown up visiting. Some are known for elaborate Parsi meals, others for kheema, cutlets, biryani, sweets, or a cold bottle of raspberry soda. While Jimmy Boy, which appeared in the original list, is currently temporarily closed, there are still several old establishments where you can experience this side of Mumbai’s food history. With that in mind, here are four Parsi eateries in Mumbai worth knowing about.
Which Are The Most Iconic Parsi Eateries In Mumbai?
- Britannia & Company
- Sir Ratan Tata Institute (RTI)
- Cafe Military
- Parsi Dairy Farm
Wondering why another iconic Mumbai eatery has closed? Here’s what to know as Jimmy Boy bids farewell just months before its 100th anniversary.
1. What Should You Try At Britannia & Company?
Britannia & Company is one of those Mumbai restaurants where the setting is almost as recognizable as the food. Located inside Wakefield House in Ballard Estate, the restaurant dates back to the early 20th century and remains closely associated with Mumbai’s Parsi and Irani food culture.
The restaurant is particularly famous for its berry pulao, where fragrant rice is paired with meat and tart berries. It is the kind of dish that has become closely connected with Britannia itself. Beyond that signature plate, other Parsi favorites make this a good stop for anyone who wants a proper sit-down meal rather than a quick snack. The old Ballard Estate surroundings also add to the experience, making it easy to combine lunch here with a walk through the heritage business district.
- Must-haves: Berry Pulao, Salli Boti, Dhansak and Raspberry Soda
- Address: Wakefield House, 11 Sprott Road, 16 Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
- Timings: Around 11:30 am to 4 pm on most operating days. Weekend hours may vary, so check before visiting.
- Price: Approximately INR 1,000 for two
2. What Should You Eat At Sir Ratan Tata Institute (RTI)?
RTI might sound like something entirely unrelated to food, but in Mumbai’s Parsi community, Sir Ratan Tata Institute is also associated with traditional food, baked dishes, snacks, and takeaway favorites. That makes it a very different stop from a typical restaurant.
The menu is particularly useful when you want Parsi food without planning a large restaurant meal. Quiches, patties, sandwiches, cutlets, and other savory preparations make up an important part of the selection. Chicken and cheese crust patties and chicken, mushroom, and cheese quiches are among the options currently on the menu. It is also different from Britannia or Cafe Military. Instead of visiting for an old-school restaurant experience, RTI works well when you want snacks, baked items, or food to take home.
- Must-haves: Chicken and Cheese Crust Pattice, Chicken Mushroom Cheese Quiche, Spinach Corn Cheese Quiche, Sandwiches and Parsi snacks
- Address: Plot 35, Sir Ratan Tata Institute, Nyaymurti Sitaram Patkar Marg, near Khareghat Colony, Grant Road, Mumbai
- Timings: 10 am to 5 pm
- Price: Approximately INR 400 for two
3. What Is Cafe Military In Fort Famous For?
Another old name in Mumbai’s Parsi and Irani food scene is Cafe Military. Located in the Fort area, the restaurant has the uncomplicated atmosphere associated with many of Mumbai’s older cafés. The interiors are not the reason people keep returning. It is the food that keeps them coming back.
Kheema is one of the obvious things to order here. You can choose between Kheema Fry and Kheema Ghotala, while Boneless Mutton Biryani, Chicken Salli, and Salli Boti offer considerably heavier options. Raspberry soda completes the old-school Mumbai café combination.
Its Fort location also explains why Cafe Military has long worked as an everyday restaurant rather than only a heritage attraction. Office workers, students, lawyers, shoppers, and people passing through South Mumbai can sit down for anything from a relatively quick meal to a more substantial lunch or dinner.
- Must-haves: Boneless Mutton Biryani, Chicken Salli, Kheema Fry, Kheema Ghotala, Raspberry Soda, and Salli Boti
- Address: Ali Chambers, Nagindas Master Road, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
- Timings: Around 10:30 am to 9:30 pm
- Price: Approximately INR 500 for two
4. What Should You Try At Parsi Dairy Farm In Mumbai?
Parsi Dairy Farm brings something completely different to the list. Instead of another restaurant serving pulao, kheema, or dhansak, this century-old Mumbai institution is associated with dairy products, mithai, kulfi, and other sweet treats.
The Marine Lines outlet is the better fit for a list exploring Mumbai’s old Parsi food establishments. Its location on Shamaldas Gandhi Marg keeps it close to the part of the city where Parsi Dairy Farm built its reputation over generations.
This is somewhere to visit when you want dessert rather than another full meal. Jalebi, kulfi, milk-based preparations, and traditional sweets make it an easy final stop after exploring South Mumbai. It is also a practical place to pick up sweets to take home rather than sit down for a long meal.
- Must-haves: Jalebi, Kulfi, Kesar Pista preparations, Masala Milk and traditional sweets
- Address: 261/63, Navajeevan Wadi, Shamaldas Gandhi Marg, Marine Lines, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400002
- Timings: Around 8 am to midnight
- Price: Approximately INR 200 for two
Wondering what happened to one of Mumbai’s best-known Parsi dairy brands? Here’s everything to know about the FDA suspending Parsi Dairy Farm’s license in Mumbai.
Author’s Note
Growing up in Mumbai, Parsi food has always felt like a familiar part of the city’s food culture. These old eateries each offer something different, from a proper Parsi meal to patties, kheema, sweets, or a bottle of raspberry soda. They are also a reminder of how closely Mumbai’s food and its history are connected.
Summing Up
Mumbai’s Parsi food culture cannot be reduced to a single signature dish or a single type of restaurant. Britannia & Company is where you can sit down for berry pulao and other Parsi classics, while RTI is better suited to patties, quiches, sandwiches, and takeaway food. Cafe Military preserves the appeal of an old Fort café with kheema, biryani, salli dishes, and raspberry soda. At the same time, Parsi Dairy Farm takes care of the sweeter side of the experience.
Together, these four Parsi eateries in Mumbai offer very different ways to explore a food culture that has been part of the city for generations. Opening hours and prices can change, particularly at older establishments, so checking the latest listing before making the trip is always worthwhile.
