Jewels of Mumbai: KOOLAR RESTAURANT @ MATUNGA

WHERE TIME STANDS STILL

Jewels of Mumbai is a new section where I will bring to you some unique places of interest in Mumbai that are a must visit for even the locals. This will mostly be a photo feature that will speak for itself.

This one is about this Irani place at King Circle aka Maheshwari Udyan in Matunga. It is called Koolar Restaurant. Koolar is probably more than a century old and maintains an olde worlde charm that is totally appealing. This is one place where time stands still and one can while away the hours gossiping and relaxing over chai or the kickass Irish coffee that they serve.

The restaurant is set on the ground floor, facing King Circle. It has doors in all directions, making it very airy and cool. They serve the typical cuisine of Irani Cafes such as the distinctive Irani Chai, Bun maska, vegetable puff, chicken puff, cakes and the like. Breakfasts here are a joy for eggetarians with egg burji and omelettes being the specialties on offer.


The entrance to the Irani Restaurant with a glass case on one side displaying the many provisions that may also be purchased here.


The seating arrangement with square tables covered in pink and white chequered cloth and wooden chairs.


This is my son Vigneshkumar sitting near a long window with yet another ceiling to floor display case behind him.


Even as the place is quite large by Mumbai standards, one wall is taken up with mirrors, making it appear all the bigger.



The colourful cakes on display in a glass case in the front of Koolar Restaurant.



This clock was behind where the proprietor sits and is definitely an antique. It has Victoria written across its face and probably is from the Victorian era.


This is the outside of the restaurant where both my daughter Vinitha and son Vignesh are sitting.