Britannia & Co. Restaurant

About

Britannia & Co. is one of the last surviving authentic Parsi/Irani cafes in Mumbai, open since 1923. Housed in a colonial building in the leafy Ballard Estate, it exudes old-world charm with its peeling paint, bentwood chairs, and checkered tablecloths. It is famous not just for its food but for the legacy of its late owner, Boman Kohinoor, who used to personally greet guests. The absolute must-have here is the Berry Pulao, a recipe imported from Iran using barberries (zereshk) that add a unique tartness to the sweet and spicy rice. Other classics include Sali Boti (meat with potato sticks) and Caramel Custard. The restaurant is strictly open only for lunch (12 PM - 4 PM), and it is common to share tables with strangers. Eating at Britannia is a rite of passage for any food lover visiting Mumbai, offering a taste of a rapidly disappearing culture.