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Cafe Mondegar in Colaba has been ordered to remain closed after the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended its food business licence following an inspection that found multiple food safety and hygiene violations. The action is part of the FDA’s ongoing crackdown on food establishments across Mumbai.
A fixture on Colaba Causeway since 1932, the iconic South Mumbai cafe is known for its beer-and-burger afternoons, legendary jukebox and colourful murals by cartoonist Mario Miranda. Cafe Mondegar will remain closed until the identified violations are addressed and it meets the required food safety and regulatory standards.
What did the FDA find during the inspection at Cafe Mondegar?
The FDA inspection uncovered several lapses in food hygiene, sanitation, and compliance with food safety norms.
For instance, the hot food items weren't maintained above 60 degrees Celsius as prescribed, and the cold storage temperatures were not kept below 5 degrees Celsius. Additionally, improper thawing methods plus insufficient rapid cooling of food were observed.
Not only that, but the FDA inspectors also found damp flooring and improper drainage near the food preparation area, which could lead to cross-contamination – plus, the equipment was not sanitised either.
The Colaba cafe is among four food outlets in Mumbai whose licences were suspended during the recent round of inspections, signalling stricter enforcement of food safety standards across the city’s F&B sector. Other establishments to lose their licences are Tribhuvan Dairy Farm in Ghatkopar West, Maharashtra Biryani Center in Kandivali East, and Mahavir Cashew & Foods Pvt Ltd in Ghatkopar East.
Since its establishment, Cafe Mondegar in Colaba has been more than just a restaurant. Whether it's for grabbing a cold beer after a long street shopping trail at Causeway, or feeding a late-night craving, Mondegar has been one of the unmissable spots to hang out in the neighbourhood.