When the Zoroastrian Iranians came to India in the 19th century, they had no riches and were in search of a better livelihood. Mumbai (Bombay), at that time, was already home to another Zoroastrian community, the Parsis. A couple of Iranians worked in Parsi homes as caretakers and met in the evenings to discuss the life they had left behind, and their future prospects. One evening, a man served tea to everyone and charged them a small amount. The result: A business was born, of serving tea. And this was the beginning of an Irani café.

Courtesy : Ader Gandi

Click Here for the old-world charm of home-baked bread and earthy chai – KRISHNARAJ IYENGAR on Mumbai’s Iranian restaurants, a dwindling legacy.