IRANI CAFÉ

INTRODUCTION
By the beginning of the 20th century, Irani cafes had sprung up on
almost every prominent street corner in Bombay, Pune and Hyderabad
becoming a symbol both of Iranian cultural integration and
distinctiveness. Established in 1904, Kyani & Co in Mumbai, is the
oldest operating Irani cafe.

They were originally opened by Zoroastrian Irani immigrants to British India in

the 20th century fleeing Islamic persecution in West Asia and Central Asia.[7]
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 geeted with eagerness and a whiff of baking. The speed of operations is
impressive and service quite hassle-free.