Cafe Mondegar

Overview

Cafe Mondegar, popularly known as Mondy's, is a long-running cafe and bar located in the Colaba neighbourhood of South Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Situated on Shahid Bhagat Singh Road near the Regal Cinema and a short walk from the Gateway of India, it is one of the older Irani-style establishments still operating in the city and is considered a landmark of the Colaba Causeway area.

Background

Cafe Mondegar belongs to the tradition of Irani cafes established in Mumbai by Zoroastrian immigrants from Iran during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These cafes typically served tea, bun-maska, Parsi dishes and Continental fare in informal settings with high ceilings, chequered floors and bentwood chairs, and over time many evolved into popular meeting points for students, writers, artists and tourists.

Interior and murals

The cafe is widely recognised for the murals that cover its interior walls, drawn by the Goan cartoonist Mario Miranda. The artwork depicts a crowded, animated scene of Mumbai life, featuring stock characters associated with Miranda's cartoons, and has become an integral part of the cafe's identity. A vintage Wurlitzer-style jukebox is another feature long associated with the establishment.

Significance

Cafe Mondegar is frequently cited in travel guides and writing on Mumbai as one of the iconic eateries of Colaba, alongside neighbouring institutions such as Leopold Cafe. Its location on the tourist circuit between the Gateway of India, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the Colaba Causeway shopping street has made it a popular stop for both local patrons and visitors to the city. The cafe is also noted as one of the venues that helped popularise draught beer service in Mumbai's casual dining scene.

Related topics

• Colaba
• Irani cafe
• Leopold Cafe
• Mario Miranda
• Cuisine of Mumbai
• Gateway of India

References

• Wikidata entity: Q22330084