Garib Nagar is a slum cluster, built on public land along the railway tracks of the eastern side of Bandra station in Bombay.
Living conditions in Garib Nagar are unhygienic and difficult. There are approximately 1,500 families who live there – a total population of 10,000 people.
Leopolds café on Colaba is a Bombay institution. The wide shop front on Colaba Causeway opens up the large café to an expansive view of the street. Beggars beg, hawkers peddle counterfeit goods to the passing crowds, and black and yellow taxis honk, pointlessly. It’s a snapshot of vibrant, energetic, urban Bombay.
When we go to Bombay, we always go to Bademiya. Maybe on the first night we arrive. I’m not sure why, but it helps take the edge off the jet-lag. Some may well argue that there are better grills in Amritsar and Lahore. A few others may point to Ayub’s or Baghdadi’s. But for sheer Bombay tastiness, fun and atmosphere, you can’t beat Bademiya.
Britannia Café is a lovely piece of vintage Bombay which is slowly disappearing. The Café and its owner, Boman Kohinoor, are key Dishoom inspirations. We were recently at Britannia, sipping Thums Up in its faded elegance.
