It was a dark rainy monsoon day in Mumbai when I walked over to Britannia & Co., a restaurant synonymous with serving Parsi food in the city.

The area of town is heavily populated by old government offices and beautiful drooping trees; The historical restaurant fit perfectly with the atmosphere of the area.

In this blog post I’ll share with you the dishes I tried at Britannia & Co., a cultural restaurant landmark in Mumbai, India.

Britannia and Co
Britannia & Co. – Parsi Restaurant in Mumbai

Britannia & Company (also commonly Britannia & Co.)

Along with the actual food, one of the greatest things about eating at Britannia & Co. is the chance to be a part of history.

Dating back to 1923, Mr. Boman Kohinoor, a Zoroastrian immigrant from Iran, decided to open a restaurant in Mumbai serving Parsi food.

What is Parsi food?

At the end of my meal, I had a chance to talk with Mr. Boman, and this is what he kindly shared with me:

1200 years ago, the Persians fled Iran, and they landed on the shore of India, Mumbai.

And so, the Maharaja (Great King) here, gave them support, gave them help, so they stayed here.

So they adopted part Persian part Hindu culture, and that is called Parsi culture – Persian mixed with Hindu.

They were Zoroastrian, our prophets name is Zoroaster, and we are called Zoroastrians. But when we came to India, the Indians called us Parsi.

[So for Parsi food] You have a combination of Persian and Indian food.

In a way, although involving different cultures, Parsi culture immediately made me think of Peranakan culture.

Parsi food in Mumbai
The classic interior of Britannia & Co., Mumbai, India

The owner is an absolute superbly friendly man and is quite an amazing character.

When you dine at Britannia & Co., he still comes around and has a chat with you, telling you stories as you eat.

I won’t get into more history, but you can check out this post for more. What I will say is that, it’s about as classic as it gets when it comes to restaurants.

Britannia & Co. Restaurant menu
Britannia and Company Menu

The Menu

On the menu at Britannia & Company (Britannia & Co.) you’ll find an assortment of dishes that range from Iranian influenced, to as the owner explained to me, more pure Indian dishes.

There are even some western dishes available. There are a real mix of dishes.

Despite wanting to order the entire menu, since it was just my wife and I eating, we couldn’t order the entire menu, so I decided to go for a few of the main classic dishes that the restaurant is so well known for.

Prices are not cheap, but portion sizes are good size, and the quality was excellent.

best restaurants in Mumbai
Sali boti (mutton) – this was my favorite dish of the meal

Sali boti (mutton)

I’ll start with the first dish that emerged from the kitchen, the slai boti (this one made with mutton). It turned out to be my personal favorite dish of the meal.

It looked very interesting in appearance, a red brown gravy sauce topped with a heaping handful of little tiny shoe-string fried potatoes.

Sali boti is a classic Parsi dish, and although it’s similar to a curry, it’s more like a meat stew. Our waiter dished it out onto my plate, served with roti, and I took my first bite.

The mutton was incredibly tender, and the blend of spices and the gravy is what literally made my jaw drop in culinary excitement.

It wasn’t a pungent mixture of spices, but it was so well balanced, with ginger, cinnamon, cumin, and lots of dissolved onions. It was literally a perfect blend of spices, and the dish had an almost fruity taste.

It was absolutely exquisite, a gravy so good, I wanted to drink it.

Price – 600 INR

berry pulav
The famous berry pulav

Chicken berry pulav

Before you eat at Britannia & Company (Britannia & Co.), you’ll probably read about their famous berry pulav, or someone will tell you about it.

There are a couple of different choices on their menu, but I went with the chicken berry pulav (by the way, pulav, pilaf, pilau, is a seasoned rice dish).

It was indeed a beautiful dish, the long grain basmati rice looked almost like little noodles, yet it looked fluffy and cottony. On top was a sprinkle of barberries, crispy fried shallots, and cashews.

The chicken, which was wrapped in a stew of spices, was folded within the center of the rice (so from the outside you couldn’t even tell it was there).

Parsi food in Mumbai
Barberries, crispy fried shallot, and nuts on top

It was everything I had hoped for: fluffy rice, the natural sweetness from the berries which tasted similar to dried cranberries, a nutty crunch from the cashews, and spice and flavor from the chicken curry.

The berry pulav at Britannia & Company is legendary for a reason: it’s seriously delicious.

Price – 550 INR

Mutton dhansak
Mutton dhansak and rice

Mutton dhansak

For my final dish, I ordered mutton dhansak, another one of what is considered a standard dish of Parsi cuisine – it’s the daal of Parsi food.

The dhansak included nuggets of tender mutton, wrapped within a very thick mixture of lentils and vegetables all pureed.

Mutton dhansak
Dhansak is made with lentils and vegetables

What I immediately noticed about it was the smoky flavor it had. The dhansak was paired with a plate of rice that was lightly seasoned and a couple of meatballs.

The dhansak was good, but for me, the other two dishes I ordered were superior.

Price – 650 INR

Parsi food
The popular caramel custard

Caramel custard

I’m not really into desserts, but the owner talked my wife and I into having a caramel custard for dessert. Britannia & Co. happens to be known throughout Mumbai for their caramel custard.

It was indeed very good, smooth and silky, and almost like a thick pudding in texture. It was quite sweet and light but refreshing in caramel taste.

If you do enjoy sweets, it’s a must order when you eat at Britannia & Company.

Price – 150 INR

restaurants in Mumbai
Absolutely classic interior of this historical restaurant in Mumbai

Conclusion

Britannia & Co. is one of the greatest Parsi restaurants in Mumbai, India.

The sali boti, an exquisite braised stew, and the berry pulav, a barberry seasoned rice, were the highlights of my meal there.

But along with the delicious food, dining at Britannia & Co. is a chance to be a part of this incredible historical restaurant and story in Mumbai.

Brittania and Co Restaurant Mumbai
My total bill at Britannia and Company

Britannia & Company (Britannia & Co.)

Address: Wakefield House, 11 Sprott Road, 16 Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai
Open hours: 11:30 am – 4 pm on Monday – Saturday (closed on Sundays)
How to get there: Probably the easiest way to get there is to either take a taxi (or Uber), or if you’re staying in the area, it’s easy to walk there.
Prices: Prices aren’t cheap, but I do think it’s worth it. You’re looking to spend anywhere from 600 – 1000 IDR per person or so depending on how many dishes you order.

36 comments. I'd love to hear from you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

  • Jimmy Kumana

    11 months ago

    Is the restaurant still open? I heard it had closed down after the owner expired, and his sons did not want to continue the business.

  • vishal kaushik

    3 years ago

    Keep rocking Mark!

  • VapeSpring

    3 years ago

    Great content. Stay a

  • Nischay

    3 years ago

    I like the Amazing Parsi Food it was outstanding!! success story in hindi

  • Julia Mia

    4 years ago

    Really you have to provide a good article

  • Venkat

    5 years ago

    Hey Mark I have tried some of the above mentioned dishes in mumbai its was amazing!! Please visit coimbatore “MANCHESTER OF SOUTH INDIA” feast is waiting for you😊

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      Thank you very much for your support and the recommendation as well, have a great day!

  • alireza

    6 years ago

    Hi mark , it’s very nice that you know about persians who migrate to india , yes iranian tell row rice “bereng” and after cook its name changet to 3 name “chelo”,”polo” ,”shefte polo” and other names like”zereshk polo”,”kaate”, …..

  • Ashik Ahmed

    7 years ago

    love this food review, will travel and test those food soon. thanks

  • Sanchit Kamath

    8 years ago

    Mark.. i think the next time you visit Mumbai, you should visit a restaurant called Badshah located at Crawford Market,and try falooda over there. Its a refreshing drink, you’ll enjoy it for sure. 🙂

  • Art Travel Eat Repeat

    8 years ago

    That caramel custard looks incredible! (as does the meal itself)

  • Sanjeet Veen

    8 years ago

    The food looks delicious, i will tasty next time i will come this place, thanks for sharing such wonderful information.

  • Richard Westwell

    8 years ago

    Hi Mark Parsi food is my favourite food from India. I cook my own dhansaak at home regularly. Cooked well with a balance of the spices it is a superb dish.
    Thank you for your world travel for great food.

  • Wai

    8 years ago

    If you are interested in Parsi culture and food, you may be interested in contacting a friend of ours in Mumbai next time you are there. She is a chef, writer and food blogger – http://www.bawibride.com

  • Tim Lai

    8 years ago

    Wow! I have now learned more about Indian food. Thanks Mark

  • Sumit

    8 years ago

    In just before the last Pic…”Credit Card & Debit Card Not Accepted” …..:) …Enter in the restaurant on owners terms or get lost…… 🙂

  • Sandy

    8 years ago

    What a spread … Parsi food looks incredible to try!

  • Kartik G Pai

    8 years ago

    I am so glad you tried this place Mark & more importantly the heritage dishes. Their custard is actually one of the really good one’s not just in Mumbai but also compared to other cities. The balance of flavors & the textures they attain is a result of years n years of hard work perfecting an absolutely simple recipe.

    Eagerly waiting for your RTW videos .

    Regards to both you & Ying.
    Kartik G Pai

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Hi Kartik, great to hear from you, thank you very much. This was such an amazing food experience.

  • Dave Briggs

    8 years ago

    All of the dishes you’ve ordered looks wonderful and must have been a delight to taste. The fact that the owner comes up to his clients to have a chat means that he’s not only interested in profits, but rather really enjoys talking to them.

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Hey Dave, thank you very much. I agree, and it’s the type of restaurant you not only remember for the food, but the owner as well.

  • Manu

    8 years ago

    I have been there several years ago.
    The food looks good but those are five-star hotel prices on the menu, Mark.

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Hi Manu, yah it’s a bit on the expensive side no doubt.

  • Saheel

    8 years ago

    Finally mark in Mumbai. Looking forward for your review of Bademiya

  • Anne

    8 years ago

    My husband is Parsi and is a wonderful cook ,which he learned from his Mother. His family now resides in Vancouver Canada and everyone back home in Pakistan misses his Mom’s cooking.I was born and raised in California without absolutely any knowledge of Parsi’s. Your brief history of Pari’s and there food was extremely well done. I love the restaurant and more so the fact that the owner walks around and talks to the guest. The dishes look outstanding. Thank You for sharing such a refreshing review and keeping the history of your country alive. Very well done.

  • Stephane

    8 years ago

    Great review and I love all the signs in the restaurant and caveats on the menu! Hilarious

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Thank you Stephane, so much character at this restaurant!

  • Sj Dc

    8 years ago

    oh Mark, You missed the fish?!?!? Their Patrani Machchi is also a must-try!

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Hey Sj, oh no, I wish I would have tried that. I’ll have to go back next time. Thanks for the recommendation.

  • Pikoloko

    8 years ago

    This dish looks interesting.. Before I thought that I know many foods, but this look verry nice! Thank you for inspiring me.

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Hey Pikoloko, thank you very much. It was very unique and such delicious food!

  • Diana

    8 years ago

    What a very charming place to visit. The food sounded delicious and looked wonderful. The whole city looked like a nice place to visit. I enjoyed the history. Thank you.

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Thank you very much Diana. Really an awesome heritage restaurant in Mumbai!