People who have ever stayed in Mumbai, or every been to Colaba, will have definitely seen and heard of Leopold Cafe, the iconic cafe at Colaba Causeway. People who have read the novel Shantaram and it’s sequel, The Mountain Shadow would also have definitely known about this cafe.
Leopold, as it is popularly referred to be one of the city’s oldest restaurants in Mumbai, India. It has created its own heritage and legacy into the food business since ages.To call it a restaurant, it would be demeaning as an institution since it has become a landmark in Mumbai as it is the preferred place both for local Indians and foreign tourists. Founded in 1871, Leopold is open from morning 7:30 AM till midnight. It boasts of a varied and eclectic clientele. The interiors are very much like a European cafe and the food is so scrumptious and delicious, you’ll want for more and more and more!!!! Whether it’s Lunch, Sunday Brunch or an Evening spent with friends drinking. The place is always crowded, at all times of the day, and it never tires or serving the customers.
On 26/11/2008, the cafe was an early site of gunfire and grenade explosions during the 2008 Mumbai attacks by terrorists. The restaurant was extensively damaged during the attacks. Gunmen sprayed the restaurant with bullets and there were blood stains on the floor and shoes left by fleeing customers.The cafe reopened four days after the attack, but was reclosed by the police as a safety measure after two hours because of the unexpected size of crowds gathering there. The place still has most of the spots where the bullets hit, intact, and wears it on it’s sleeve with pride, as a symbol of resilience and never die spirit.
I ordered a carrot and marzipan cake here, and owing to the heat and humidity followed it up with a glass of salty lemon juice. The carrot and marzipan cake was delicious. I have never had such a delicious carrot cake before. And the marzipan, amazing. The caramelized carrots in the cake, were the best thing I had in a carrot cake like that. There were no gratings or shavings, and yet it was so delicious. The cute carrot created on top of the ganache was so well-made and t would remind one of looney toons for sure that they would have seen as a kid.
The lemonade was well, lemonade, but having it at Leopold is what makes all the difference.
There is also some amazing merchandise for sale here, and I am definitely going to buy some mugs or something for myself sometime.
My report card –
Service – 8
Taste – 8.5
Ambiance – 9
Value for money – 8
