Why Leopold Café is a Must Visit on Your Next Mumbai Trip
Remember the first time you visited your college canteen? Leopold Café in Colaba Causeway boasts a similar ambience. The clientele is usually the young generation who transforms the space into a bustling amalgamation of food and fun. The café was found in 1871 by Iranis and was mentioned as ‘mystic dark place… constantly crowded’ in Shantaram, a best-selling novel by Gregory David Roberts. It has a bustling old-world charm and offers a plethora of beers, beverages, Mughlai, Chinese and Continental delicacies.
The cafe also made headlines in 2008 after being an early site of the tragic shooting and bombing in Mumbai. It drew global condemnation back then and became a historic hotspot for tourists and locals. If you are taking Mumbai to Hyderabad flights anytime soon, consider planning a visit to this iconic landmark. Have a look at why it could worth your time.
The 26/11 Attack on Leopold Café
On November 26, 2008, the cafe was attacked by four terrorists. They fired and hurled grenades from all directions which killed 10 people and injured multiple. People were crouching under the tables or simply lying on the ground. It was a horrific Wednesday night and the memories were etched in the walls as bullet holes for days. However, it was just a matter of time before the cafe re-opened only 4 days later on December 1. People slowly begun to drop by once again laughing and talking over chilled beer.
The cafe owners Farhang and his brother Farhaz refused to be cowed into submission by the deadly attack. They believed if the cafe is back on its feet, customers would be back too. Now there is a strict security presence which is quite reassuring. After deboarding your Hyderabad to Mumbai flights, do drop by to check how it has stood as a testament to the heinous attack.
Signature Dishes at Leopold’s
Chicken wings, chicken stroganoff and an impressive range of tandoor dishes like tikkas and kebabs are sure to ignite your taste buds. But the highlights of their menu are beef teriyaki, risotto, grilled chicken items, cheese toasts, prawns, ducks, and beef chilli. Relish them with fresh draught beer for a complete gastronomically rich experience.
Besides the salads, burgers, pastas and appetizers, Leopold also flaunts scrumptious cheesecakes, chocolate ecstasy, shepherd’s pie and walnut pie. You can also try mango, kesar, pista, tuti fruiti and vanilla cups. Fruit lassi, red velvet shake, coke float, cold coffee, truffle cake shake and cream float are popular among Mumbaikars. Leave some space in your tummy while in the Mumbai to Hyderabad flights in case you are planning a same day visit.
The Mind-Blowing Ambience
After deboarding your flights from Hyderabad to Mumbai, treat your eyes to the unique interior decor. The walls are packed with Harley Davidson metal plates and collection of different shaped posters which ooze a vintage Old Bombay charm. This offers a picturesque setting which might light up your Instagram feed. No wonder it draws a significant amount of crowd throughout the year.
In all, if you are in Colaba and want to grab some good food, beer and conversation, the legendary Leopold Café is the best place to be.
