LEOPOLD, Mumbai

I loved being here, sitting for a time and drinking chai. If you enjoyed Mumbai or are anticipating going there, read the book "Shantaram" by Gregory David Roberts. I thought it was the most exquisite piece of literature I've ever come across. He's been compared to Hemmingway, whom I personally despised reading, and it's not just the story that is engaging. His writing style is poetic prose. He makes Leopold's famous, as it is a repetitive setting for the characters. The manager's name is Farzan and he's a great guy. The food was great, huge portions and priced low. I may be the only one who has gone to Mumbai and actually gained weight!

The food here was OK. Fresh juices were good. I tried about 3 of them. We ate brekky twice here. Since we didn't leave a tip the first time, so (I reckon) our food was below average the next day. I guess since Leopolds is mentioned in LP, they get a lot of tourists. The decor was interesting with some meorabilia. Surely worth a visit once. Of course, cataching up with the west, everything in India now attracts 12.5% VAT (value added tax) on top of the final bill.

Leopold Cafe is a real classic amongst travelers in Mumbai. This is the right place to meet travelers and locals who want to meet travelers.
Here you can have a quick lunch, a milk shake, a lassi (liquid youghourt), curry dish...

Leopold started life way back in 1871 as a wholesale oil store. Over the years it metamorphosed into a restaurant and store, then to a restaurant and pharmacy and finally, in 1987 it took its present form. 1991 saw the advent of the pub upstairs. It was the second pub to open in Mumbai, and was then the biggest. Today the restaurant below is a very popular place, especially with foreign tourists who could comprise 60 to 70% of the clientele in the tourist season of October to March. It is the typical Irani restaurant but better maintained than most. The pub functions in two sessions, from 1.30 to 5 in the afternoon, and again in the evening. In the afternoons, it has basically the college crowd and the music is very much with the times. Evenings, the music starts by 6.30, playing mostly soft romantic numbers to begin with, and picks up tempo into the night. The clientele then sports more variety, from teenagers to the elderly. And so does the music. Leopold plays all kinds of music and refuses to slot itself. There is a smallish dance floor, though it does not mean that dance music is predominantly played. Monday night is the 'request night' and the customer calls the shots. And Wednesdays are 'retro nights' playing old numbers.

Timings: 1:30 pm to 5 pm; 6:30 pm to 12 midnight

All credit cards except Diners accepted.

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