B. Merwan & Co.

Mrunmayi Dhurandhar

2 years ago

5.0

If you find yourself strolling through the bustling streets of Grant Road in Mumbai, one culinary institution that you absolutely cannot miss is B. Merwan & Co. This charming Irani café has been serving delectable treats for over a century, and it continues to capture the hearts and taste buds of locals and tourists alike. On a recent visit, I had the pleasure of indulging in two of their signature desserts: the famous Mawa Cake and the delightful Pudding. **Mawa Cake (★★★★★):** The Mawa Cake at B. Merwan & Co. is nothing short of legendary. As I took my first bite, I was instantly transported to a world of rich, buttery goodness. The cake is incredibly moist and dense, with the unmistakable flavor of mawa (khoya), a concentrated milk product used in many Indian sweets. It's mildly sweet and beautifully spiced with cardamom, which adds a lovely aromatic touch. The texture is perfectly balanced, with a slightly crispy crust giving way to a melt-in-your-mouth interior. This cake is a testament to the café's time-honored recipes, and it's no wonder why it's a local favorite. Whether you're enjoying it with a cup of piping hot Irani chai or savoring it on its own, the Mawa Cake at B. Merwan & Co. is an absolute must-try. **Pudding (★★★☆☆):** Next on my dessert journey was the Pudding. While it didn't quite reach the heights of the Mawa Cake, it was still a delightful treat. The pudding was served warm, and its comforting, homey aroma immediately appealed to my senses. It had a comforting custard-like texture and was generously topped with a caramel sauce that added a delightful sweetness and a hint of bitterness. While the pudding was enjoyable, it lacked the distinctiveness and wow-factor that the Mawa Cake possesses. It's a comforting dessert that pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of tea, but if you're looking for something truly exceptional, the Mawa Cake steals the show. **Atmosphere (★★★★☆):** Apart from the delicious desserts, B. Merwan & Co. offers a charming and nostalgic atmosphere that transports you back in time. The vintage decor, creaking wooden chairs, and marble tabletops create a quaint ambiance. It's a place where you can sit for hours, sipping on chai and savoring your treats while watching the world go by. The friendly staff adds to the warmth of the place, and they are more than happy to recommend their specialties. **Final Thoughts:** B. Merwan & Co. is a treasure trove of classic Irani café delights, and their Mawa Cake is an absolute revelation. While the pudding is good, it doesn't quite reach the same level of perfection. Whether you're a local looking to relive the flavors of yesteryears or a traveler seeking a taste of Mumbai's culinary history, a visit to B. Merwan & Co. is a sweet journey well worth taking. Just be sure to leave room for that irresistible Mawa Cake – it's a slice of Mumbai's gastronomic heritage that you won't soon forget.

Geeta

2 years ago

5.0

Located outside grant road station, this is a very old Parsi bakery which is still run in a traditional manner. Old chairs and tables and a Parsi gentleman at the pay counter who comes across as being very strict. They accept only cash (another traditional approach). Their puffs and mawa cakes just melt in the mouth because they are loaded with oil and ghee. There is a separate take away counter. Don't expect too much hygiene. Once in a while it can be ignored to savour the heavenly mawa cake.

Hog And Hop

3 years ago

5.0

Tired from long journey? This place just outside grant station east will make your mood lighter by having hot cup of coffee with theirs inhouse made butter with bun just lip smacking 🥰

Bakul Paigankar

1 year ago

5.0

pl join swiigy mini so we can order from nasik Zomato pl start Zomato mini like swiggy mini so we can give ordersfrom different cities

The Hungry Hippo

2 years ago

4.0

B Merwans & Co. is one of the oldest Parsi cafe that is still ruling the cult legacy of the yesteryear Bombay. I visited the cafe on a Saturday morning and had to wait for almost 30 minutes than their usual opening time. As they opened the door, a flock of crowd gathered as if there is no tomorrow, and within seconds, the cafe was full. What I heard that people generally come here for a cup of tea and bun maska. I can definately term this as one of the most economical, and pocket-friendly cafe. We ordered the Bun Maska, Omlette Pao, Akuri Pao, Mawa Samosa, and Tea. Tea could have been better but you should not miss their Mawa Samaosa. Other fhan dinining, they also have a section for takeaways. I must say that this place should be in your bucketlist if not already. And for the location, it's right outside Grant Road Station (East).

+2

Dr Ajitesh

4 months ago

4.0

The food is simple indeed is a little bland. Options were too less to meet the needs. And ofc please carry cash as it does not have an online payment system.

Pranay Pai

1 year ago

2.0

B Merwans is one of the oldest and affordable Irani eatery in Mumbai. They are very famous for their mava cakes which get over pretty early. I used to be a big fan of this eatery, but my recent visit changed my perspective completely. Am not sure if the management has changed but here are few of the changes I noticed: 1. Earlier it was order first and pay afterwards, but now you have to pay first and hand over the coupon and its self service. This change is acceptable. 2. I visited around 2.20pm on Sat afternoon, and it was almost full, so footfall is not a problem. 3. The staff is very very less as self service, also the tables are cleaned very late. 4. The most disappointing point was that they have stopped using cutlery. Everything is served in disposable aluminum plates and paper cups. 5. Even for tea, its pre made, and milk is always on gas, after order they just pour the premade tea and hot milk, i remember earlier they used to actually make it fresh. 6. The omlette texture and size has also changed, it isn't the same like before. Though the food is good but the service has become poor which affects the overall customer satisfaction.

Vimit Kundra

3 years ago

2.0

Went there for their famous mava cake which was not good, it has paper sticked at its buttom which wasn't removable. Then I had mava samosa which was also not good at all. It was too cold and too dry to eat. Not happy with the experience

Pushkar Choudhary

3 years ago

1.0

What a poor experience from such a famous place! Went for lunch and they did not have sandwiches at all. The omelette did not have enough salt and no taste and lots of oil. The bread with it was dry. Bun maska was okay, but again the bread was dry. Packed their famous mava cake. And that was a disappointment too! It was dry and hard and paper was stuck to it from all sides. The taste was still the same that I remember from my childhood days, but I don't think I'll buy this again. Sad to have this experience from an iconic place.

Aarti Juneja

1 year ago

1.0

After a long travel ,I went to pick up their cakes . They don’t let in the shop and see and have already kept packets of packed cakes . So I couldn’t actually see n take the cake . Just posting pics for everyone to see what their mawa fruit cake 1/2 kg costing 320 rupees looked like. It’s burnt and we had to throw as it was so hard outside