Mumbai's iconic Cafe Mondegar has licence suspended over hygiene failures

Cafe Mondegar, the beloved South Mumbai landmark famous for its retro jukebox and Mario Miranda murals, has had its operating licence suspended by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration following a series of hygiene and structural failures.

During an inspection on 12 September, FDA officers found several critical lapses at the Metro House restaurant in Colaba. According to the regulator, the kitchen's drainage system was inadequate, creating a serious risk of cross-contamination. Inspectors also flagged damaged, damp flooring, unhygienic equipment, and a failure to maintain safe food temperatures.

The safety standards require hot foods to be stored above 60 degrees Celsius and cold storage to stay below 5 degrees Celsius; Cafe Mondegar failed on both counts. Officers also found improper thawing techniques and a failure to rapidly cool cooked meals before storage.

Founded as an Irani cafe in 1932, the venue transitioned into a popular restaurant in the 1990s and became a cultural touchstone for tourists and locals alike. Managing partner Hoshang Yazdegardi did not respond to requests for comment following the suspension.

Which other businesses were affected?

The action is part of an aggressive, statewide campaign spearheaded by the newly appointed FDA Commissioner, Tukaram Mundhe, ahead of the festive season.

Cafe Mondegar was not the only establishment targeted. The FDA also suspended the licences of three other Mumbai businesses for violating Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, which governs basic sanitary requirements:

• Maharashtra Biryani Centre in Kandivali East
• Tribhuvan Dairy Farm in Ghatkopar West
• Mahavir Cashew & Foods in Ghatkopar East

What did the wider crackdown find?

Over a four-day festive drive around Ganesh Chaturthi, inspectors visited 38 food establishments across Mumbai, collecting 47 samples of milk, khoya, ghee, and sweets for laboratory analysis.

The wider operation across Maharashtra led to the seizure of more than 4,100 kilograms of substandard or adulterated sweets and dairy products, worth over 15.5 lakh rupees. Joint police and FDA operations also targeted contraband, seizing illegal gutkha and vehicles worth over 1.3 crore rupees in Jalna and Beed districts.