End of an Era: Mumbai’s Iconic Irani Café B. Merwan & Co Closes After 112 Years

Mumbai has bid farewell to one of its most beloved food institutions. B. Merwan & Co, the iconic Irani café and bakery located opposite Grant Road railway station, has permanently closed its doors after an extraordinary 112-year journey.

Established in 1914, B. Merwan & Co became a daily ritual for generations of Mumbaikars — from office-goers and students to taxi drivers and early-morning commuters. Known for its no-frills charm and consistent quality, the café stood as a symbol of the city’s Irani café culture, offering comfort, familiarity and affordability in equal measure.

The news of the closure emerged after a handwritten note appeared on the café’s shutter reading, “We are closed. We thank you for your patronage”. The simple message marked the quiet end of a space that had witnessed decades of Mumbai’s changing rhythms.

A Bakery That Defined Mornings in South Mumbai

B. Merwan & Co was best known for its legendary mawa cakes, often selling out within hours of opening, prompting loyal patrons to line up before dawn. Its bun maska with Irani chai, kheema pav, and other baked goods were staples that drew crowds daily.

The café’s old-world interiors — complete with wooden furniture, vintage fittings and a bustling counter — added to its timeless appeal. It wasn’t just a place to eat; it was a space where conversations flowed, routines formed, and memories were made.

A Vanishing Irani Café Culture

Irani cafés were once an integral part of Mumbai’s social fabric, introduced by Zoroastrian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Over the years, however, many have disappeared due to rising operational costs, redevelopment pressures and evolving consumer habits.

Local Samosa spoke with Bakhtyar K Irani, Managing Director of Parsi Dairy Farm, about how the legacy and evolving tastes of Irani-Parsi cuisine can be preserved or reimagined in today’s competitive food scene. He shares, "B. Merwan was more than a café and shows how deeply Irani cafés are woven into Mumbai’s culture. To keep nostalgic Irani cafés alive, owners must strike a balance between preserving tradition and adapting to contemporary tastes."

The closure of B. Merwan & Co highlights the challenges faced by heritage eateries trying to survive in a rapidly modernising city. While a few Irani cafés have adapted to changing times, several others have shut down, taking with them pieces of Mumbai’s culinary and cultural history.

Mumbai Reacts

As news of B. Merwan & Co’s closure spread, social media was flooded with tributes, throwback photographs, reels and emotional messages from loyal patrons and food lovers.

Creator Zervaan J. Bunshah put up a reel stating, “Goodbye B.Merwan & Co ! Thank you for your 112 year legacy. You will live on in our stomachs and taste buds.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zervaan J. Bunshah (@bunshah)

Another tweeted saying he was glad he could visit the place before it shut down.

'We are closed' Had the privilege of going to B Merwans one last time on 27 Dec, spent every bit of cash in bun maska chai and mawa cakes. Who knew they would be shutting down so soon. Hope they reopen again ❤️ #BMerwan#IraniCafe#teampixel#Bombayheritagepic.twitter.com/l23dqroLw3

— Karl Kolah (@karlkolah) January 20, 2026

From early-morning queue memories to childhood rituals of carrying home mawa cakes for family, Mumbaikars shared how deeply the café was woven into their lives. Food creators posted last-visit reels, while longtime customers mourned the loss of a place that felt timeless in an ever-changing city.

More Than Just a Café

For countless patrons, B. Merwan & Co represented more than food — it was nostalgia, routine and a shared urban experience. Its absence leaves behind a void that goes beyond its menu, reminding the city of the fragile future of its historic food spaces. As Mumbai continues to evolve, the legacy of B. Merwan & Co will live on in stories, memories and the unmistakable aroma of mawa cakes that once defined mornings at Grant Road.