Irani café

 ( Irani People ) 

Irani cafés are Iranian cuisine-style cafés in the Indian subcontinent. They were originally opened by Zoroastrianism Irani immigrants to British India in the 19th century, fleeing Safavid dynasty persecution or looking for better economic prospects. In India, Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad boast a number of Irani cafés, which are very popular for Irani chai (tea). In the 1950s, there were 350 Irani cafés in Mumbai; only 25 remained in the city as of 2005. Meanwhile, in Hyderabad, it is estimated that the number of Irani cafés has shrunk from 450 in the 2000s to 125 in 2024. Karachi, Pakistan, was also home to many Irani cafés.

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History They were originally opened by Zoroastrian Irani immigrants to British India in the 19th century after they fled from Safavid persecution in West Asia and Central Asia.

Writing for the Hindu Business Line, on "Mumbai's Irani hotspots", Sarika Mehta stated, "The classic format of these cafes is basic with a subtle colonial touch; high ceilings with black, bent wooden chairs (now cane in some cafes), wooden tables with marble tops and glass jars that allow a peek into the goodies they hold. With huge glass mirrors on the walls to create a feeling of space, visitors are greeted with eagerness and a whiff of baking. The speed of operations is impressive and service quite hassle-free." Irani chai and osmania biscuits.jpg|Irani chai and served in Hyderabad Britannia irani cafe.jpg|Britannia Café, an Irani café at Ballard Estate, South Mumbai Brabourne restaurant dhobi.jpg|Interior of Kayani and Company, an Irani café

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Fare Irani cafés may serve bun maska (bread and butter)

H.S. Miguel (2025). 9781841506326, Intellect Books. . ISBN 9781841506326

or brun-maska (hard buttered croissants), and paani kam chai (a strong Iranian tea, 'tea with less water'), or khari chai (very strong tea), mutton , and kheema pav (minced meat served in bread rolls), akuri (scrambled eggs and vegetables), berry pilaf, vegetable puff, vegetarian/chicken dhansak (a spiced lentil dish with meat and vegetables) and biryani, cherry cream custard, cheese khari biscuits, plain khari biscuits, coconut jam and milk biscuits and Duke's raspberry drink.

Many Irani cafés offer sweet and salted biscuits

like rawa (semolina), til-rawa coconut, nankhatai (sweet, crisp flaky Irani biscuits), Madeira cake (tutti-frutti biscuits).

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Cultural references Nissim Ezekiel wrote a poem based on instruction boards found in his favourite Irani café: the defunct Bastani and Company in Dhobi Talao, Mumbai.

In 2020 Neeraj Udhwani made the film Maska.

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Footnotes

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Further reading

• India's Iranian cafes fading out by Jayshree Bajoria for BBC News, Mumbai
• Mumbai's Irani hotspots – Sarika Mehta in Hindu Business line
• AOL News Blog - Sunanda Sudhir

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External links

• Irani Cafés and Bakeries: An Irani Zartoshti Tradition

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