Parsi Irani Cafés in Mumbai are a dying tribe, and are edible archives of the Indian Ocean such as Cafe Excelsior which was a sleepy low key place with exceptional pocket friendly fare. A Bombay institution in a heritage district fast gentrifying with decaying buildings. Every meal hence is an act of archiving as recently other Parsi eateries have closed down such as my other favourite, Jimmy’s. I like the normalcy of Cafe Excelsior compared to a Britannia which on it’s on merit is solid, yet a tourist magnate in Ballard Estate.

The chai and bun maska was on point. As a non vegetarian, the mutton cutlet curry was unique with butter rice.

Cafe Excelsior in Pictures