One day, an eccentric old Irani Café (born circa 1930, Bombay), creaking slightly at the seams, made the long trip from Bombay in 1970 to London in 2012. Tired from the long journey, it shuffled into an empty space in Shoreditch and made itself comfortable. This old Café had for some time been maintaining correspondence with its slightly more showy cousin who had made a similar trip and had found a home in Covent Garden.
Founding myths
The Dishoom Shoreditch story
In which a journey is made from Bombay to East London...
2 minute read
However, while the cousin in Covent Garden had worked hard to polish, primp and style itself, this Café was less concerned. It knew instinctively that the layers of imperfection and eccentricity built up over the many years of serving customers in Bombay weren’t merely clutter to be cleaned up and scratches to be polished out, but were in fact its very memory and character. It decided to leave its disheveled corners right where they were, as little reminders of home.
Gradually, as it grew to know and love its new community, it realised that it felt very much at home in it. The customers enjoyed hearing its stories of old Bombay, many of which were even true. They liked the faded pictures of the relatives on the walls. They smiled as they gradually grew to know the quirks of this old Café – which seemed constantly to be hankering after a lost mid-century Bombay. They seemed to care little that the shininess of the Covent Garden cousin was absent.
And most of all the Café loved serving food and drink with so much enthusiasm. The food which came quickly out of the open kitchen. The endless cups of chai, the best thing to revive energy levels on a wilted Tuesday afternoon. The bar, serving the most delicious and sincere old cocktails – Flips, Gimlets, Juleps and Sours.
Brunch on Sunday would be deliciously lazy, laced warmly with the aroma of the bakery. Lunch with colleagues on a Wednesday, busy and brisk, waiters bustling on to the verandah with trays of abundant food. Afternoon chai would provide a calm refuge from the East London street. Meanwhile, dinner and drinks on a Friday or Saturday night would see the place at its liveliest, buzzing with Londoners coming to a good old knees-up hosted by the eccentric old Café.
Throughout, the Café smiled inwardly to itself. It was never happier than when it was being true to itself and serving its guests – sharing its love for Bombay, serving its food, telling its stories. And before too long, the Café began to feel as if it had always been there, wedged comfortably into Boundary Street, accumulating its own East London layers.
2012, LONDON
One day, an eccentric old Irani Café, creaking slightly at the seams, made the long trip from Bombay in 1970 to London in 2012.
Tired from the long journey, it shuffled into an empty space in Shoreditch and made itself comfortable.
It knew instinctively that the layers of imperfection and eccentricity built up over the many years of serving customers in Bombay weren’t merely clutter to be cleaned up and scratches to be polished out, but were in fact its very memory and character.
It decided to leave its disheveled corners right where they were, as little reminders of home.
Welcome to
Dishoom Shoreditch
Gradually, this old Irani café grew to know and love its new community in London. The customers enjoyed hearing its stories of old Bombay, the faded pictures on the walls, the gently swirling ceiling fans. Its eccentricities and quirks.
Wedged comfortably into Boundary Street, Dishoom Shoreditch – with its old Irani café charm – now calls East London home. Open all day, every day, serving Bombay comfort food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening tipples. All are welcome.
Food & Drink
at Dishoom Shoreditch
Begin your day at Dishoom with breakfast, which might be a Bacon Naan Roll, a Kejriwal or House Granola. Then, lunch lightly on a Paneer Roomali Roll and fancy Salads, or linger with a feast. Refresh your afternoon with a drop of Chai and a small plate or two. Dine early or dine late. Or just join us for a tipple – Gimlets, Juleps and Sours splash lively from the bar.
Shoreditch specials
Lamb shank and lamb mince are cooked and commingled with much stirring and much vigour. Rich spices bestow warmth to this robust and hearty dish. No doubting its magnificence. Did you say “rather gosh”?
In praise of the masked stuntwoman Mary Ann Evans, more commonly known as Fearless Nadia. Notable as Hunterwali or ‘Lady of the Whip’, in the 1940s she became Bombay’s top box-office star.
A rum do with fresh ginger and spearmint, pineapple and jaggery. As bold and spirited as the heroine herself. Drink in the limelight.
Reservations at Shoreditch
Dishoom is mostly a walk-in café. All are welcome, any time, no reservations needed. However, if you'd like to make a reservation, groups of any size may book during the day. After 6pm, we accept bookings for groups of six or more.
Amidst the trays of abundant food, the warm chatter and swathes of people – the Café smiled inwardly to itself. It was never happier than when it was serving its guests, sharing its love for Bombay, telling its stories. We celebrate these stories through the faded portraits on our walls. Do have a mosey…
Bombay via London
Planning your visit
Find us
Dishoom Shoreditch
7 Boundary Street
London
E2 7JE
Contact
Tel: 020 7420 9324
Opening times
Monday – Wednesday 8am to 11pm
Thursday – Friday 8am to 12am
Saturday 9am to 12am
Sunday 9am to 11pm
Bank Holidays open as usual
Transport
Nearest Overground Station: Shoreditch High Street
Nearest Bus Stops: Shoreditch High Street Station (Stop N), Bethnal Green Road (Stop L)
Facilities
Outdoor verandah (dogs allowed – no pets on seats please!)
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Step-free access to the front door
Toilet on the same floor as the dining area
Disabled loo
Group bookings
We accept bookings online up to four months in advance for up to 26 guests and accept enquiries for 26+. For larger parties or for specific event requests, do get in touch with us directly at feasting@dishoom.com to book.
Dishoom Shoreditch
7 Boundary Street
London
E2 7JE
On the Verandah, the serious business of lounging is in progress. People spill out from the shadows, and laze gratefully in the sunlight. Shelves – filled with well-thumbed books – sit beside faded old photographs. The armchair creaks and sighs, with contentment.
The story continues
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