Whilst exploring hundreds of restaurants in and around Mumbai, there have been places which have captured my heart and become my go-to choices. One of them which has me mesmerized with every aspect of it, is the Grandmama’s Cafe. Over just a period of three to four years,they have gone from having a cute and tiny outlet to 7 full fledged restaurants. The thing that I love the most about this place is that despite having a huge number of outlets spread across the city, the quality has not deteriorated. They have a signature street-side European touch to their interiors with the ornate laces on plush sofas and intricate wall pieces which make you want to spend more and more time here. The pastel palate surrounds you with a sense of calm and pretty which is in a stark contrast to the dimly light vibe of bars and lounges you usually find in Mumbai.
However, it’s not just their enchanting interiors which call me there time and again. The food that they serve has a soulful vibe and a homely taste. I have tried a lot of dishes on their menu and their Italian Hot Chocolate, Masala Fries and Cheese Garlic Bread are absolute must-haves every time I am here. The Italian Hot Chocolate is a delight and it is literally molten piping hot chocolate. It is warm and is exactly the kind of drink you would want to sip on, on a gloomy day.
The Garlic Bread is unparalleled and I do not say this lightly. It has a taste of garlic blended with cheese in the most perfect proportions at the correct flavor. The bread is toasty and the cheese, gooey. The fries too are crisp and rubbed with the special spices which they make in-house. All of these will surely take your heart. Not only do they have pizzas and pastas to appeal to your taste buds, but they even have some Indian favorites like the Achari Khichdi and Rajma Chawal which will satiate your appetite. The Achari Khichdi is a blend of rice and urad dal(black lentils) spiced with a tadka. It is topped with the tangy flavor of pickled raw mangoes and the simplicity of a Khichdi. The Rajma Chawal is a traditional North Indian dish which comprises of spicy kidney beans flavored with Indian spices and loaded with cream. It is served with a side of steamed rice and fryums. These dishes take one back to their grandmother’s kitchen where you devoured those with love and warmth.
Their Barbeque Paneer Pizza is spicy and crispy along with the hints of sweetness. It is a treat and so is the Mac N Cheese here. The simplicity of this dish has been maintained without comprising the flavor. At most places, the Mac N Cheese is dull and bland under the pretext of being subtle. However, here it is flavored well and yet it sits well with the subtlety.
When it comes to food, I sure as well can go on and on. However, the desserts here too deserve some credit. They have amazing cakes and pastries out of which Grandmama’s Biscuit Cake is a signature one. It is soft, crunchy and decadent. The Cookie Dough Pudding is quite lovely too with it’s chunky taste and chocolatey flavor.
During summers, they run a mango specials menu as well which is a curation of dishes all revolving around mangoes. If you visit them during summers, this is surely worth giving a try. It could be said that I have tried almost all the things vegetarian which are there on their menu and there has never been a time where I have been disappointed with the taste, ambience, vibe or the staff of the place. Most importantly, the place is not heavy on the pocket and give’s your money’s worth. If you are looking for some soulful food and a beautiful and cute place to set up camp it, then this one should surely be on the top of your list.
