Top 20 Oldest Restaurants In India

Our existence is based in the past, so it can never be outdated. The same can be said about Indian restaurants which has been around since before independence. While restaurants around the country have begun experimenting with and embracing global cuisines, these tried-and-true eateries offer a fragrance of nostalgia that never fails to entice their faithful patrons. Although many of them have changed over time, these small cafes are still worth a visit for people searching for a sense of history and local culture as well as delicious food.

🗓️ Last updated: July 2026

1. Shaikh Brothers Bakery

📍 Get Direction

Shaikh Brothers Bakery was founded in 1885 and has maintained a strong reputation since then. This charming spot is the locality’s go-to site for a sugar rush, thanks to its delectable fluffy cakes, decadent pastries, and freshly baked loaves of bread. Don’t forget to try their delectable pastries the next time you’re in Guwahati.

2. Joshi Budhakaka Mahim Halwawala

📍 Get Direction

Joshi Budhakaka Mahim Halwawala is a small sweet shop tucked in Mahim’s bylanes that has been around for approximately 200 years! Giridhar Mavji, the originator, used to offer a particular halwa that grew in popularity across Mumbai. People travel from all across the country to purchase the famed Mahim Halwa. Mahim halwa is made by rolling out a heated combination of wheat, sugar, and ghee into sheets, which are then chilled and cut into delicate squares, unlike typical halwa.

3. Hari Ram And Sons

📍 Get Direction

Hari Ram and Sons is one of Allahabad’s oldest street food restaurants, with roots dating back to 1890. The more-than-a-century-old shop has a devoted following that includes a number of notable figures and continues to grow with each passing day. The shop is known for its delectable ghee-based snacks, as well as mouthwatering chaat, palak ki namkeen, masala samosas, and khasta kachori.

4. Dorabjee And Sons

📍 Get Direction

Dorabjee And Sons is a must-visit for everyone who likes Parsi cuisine. This tiny eatery, which has been around for 141 years, delivers the most authentic Parsi specialties at reasonable costs. Although the entire menu is delicious, we recommend trying Dhansak Dal, Mutton Dhansak, Chicken Farcha, Parsi Cuisine, Chicken Cutlets, and Mutton Kheema, among other dishes.

5. Shri Sagar (CTR)

📍 Get Direction

Shri Sagar, often known as CTR, is one of Bengaluru’s most well-known restaurants, having opened in the 1940s. Shri Sagar is Malleshwaram’s iconic thindi joint, which refers to small eateries that serve quick South Indian bites. It’s known for its filter coffee and unrivalled masala dosas. The benne masala dosa and the feather light idlis are must-tries.

6. Kesar Da Dhaba

📍 Get Direction

Kesar Da Dhaba, an iconic Amritsar dhaba, was founded by Lala Kesar Mal and his wife in Sheikhupura, Pakistan, in 1916. After India’s partition in 1947, it was relocated to Amritsar, where it was frequently visited by Lala Lajpat Rai and Jawaharlal Nehru. The creamy dal makhani at the dhaba is legendary, slow-cooked overnight and sprinkled with fresh cream before being served. Must-tries include the creamy palak paneer, packed parathas, and the delectably rich phirni.

7. Indian Coffee House

📍 Get Direction

Indian Coffee House has long been an intellectual hangout and gathering spot for students (and ex-students) of the Presidency College and other schools, tucked away in the dingy bylanes of College Street (Kolkata’s academic hub). This location was frequented by great individuals such as Rabindranath Tagore, Amartya Sen, Manna Dey, Satyajit Ray, Ravi Shankar, and others. On the still-affordable menu, the mutton cutlet and chicken kabiraji are must-orders.

8. Delhi Misthan Bhandaar

📍 Get Direction

Since 1930, Delhi Misthan Bhandaar, located in Shillong’s busy Police Bazaar, has been offering mouthwatering sweets, savouries, and more to the residents. The dedicated sweets section has some of the city’s best jalebis and gulab jamuns. In 2008, the business was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for frying the world’s largest jalebi, which measured 75 inches in diameter and weighed 15 kg.

9. Favourite Cabin

📍 Get Direction

The Favourite Cabin at 69B Surya Sen Street was formed in 1918 by Nutan Chandra Barua and his elder brother Gaur Chandra Barua and is well known as the haunt of independence fighters like as S C Bose and poets such as Kazi Nazrul Islam. For more than 94 years, this humble tea stand in north Kolkata has been fulfilling Bengalis’ appetite for chai and adda. Even after all these years, the staple here is still hot tea, accompanied by biscuits, cakes, and various toasts.

10. Confeitaria 31 De Janeiro

📍 Get Direction

The 80-year-old Confeitaria 31 De Janeiro is one of Goa’s oldest bakeries, located in the beautiful old Latin Quarter of Panaji, Fontainhas. Traditional Goan delicacies and savouries such as the delicious banana and walnut cake, delectable bebinca, creamy sweet rolls, crumbly prawn rissois, and other teatime delicacies are served in this quaint little boutique.

11. Rayars Mess

📍 Get Direction

Rayars Mess, tucked away in a crowded corner of Mylapore, was founded in the 1940s by Srivivasa Rao (dubbed the Rayar by locals) and has been spinning a wonderful yarn for almost 70 years. For a few hours every day, the mess delivers fluffy idlis, crisp vadas (with ghetti chutney), and scalding-hot degree coffee to its devoted patrons as well as many hungry guests. Despite this, customers are willing to drive significant distances to eat at this modest eatery because of the unequalled hygiene and exceptional flavour of the meal.

12. Mitra Samaj

📍 Get Direction

Mitra Samaj is an authentic Udupi restaurant known for its delicious dosas, bullet idlis, and Goli Baje, also known as Mangalore Bajji. It is believed to be nearly 100 years old. The cafe follows the Udupi temple cooking tradition, which forbids the use of onion, garlic, and radish. Mangalorean Bun, Masala Dosa, Dakshin Kannada-style Khasta Kachori, and badam milk are all must-try delicacies for anyone visiting this basic diner for the first time.

13. Karim’s

📍 Get Direction

You don’t need to be introduced to Karim. Karim’s has become synonymous with scrumptious Mughlai cuisine in India, thanks to its impeccable flavour and quality across states. It was founded in 1913 by Haji Kareemuddin and actually offers magic on plates. We’re confident that their sumptuously cooked Nihari for breakfast, Rich Badam Pasanda, Mutton Korma, Mutton Jahangiri, Reshmi Seekh Kebab, and Chicken Jahangiri will transport you to culinary heaven.

14. Glenary’s

📍 Get Direction

Glenary’s was founded by an Italian named Vado and was brought here by the family of a local labourer who later became the manager. The charming bakery/restaurant is nearly a century old & popular with both residents as well as tourists. Glenary’s is known for baking, and its sweets are exceptional. Apple pies, gooey cinnamon buns, fresh meat pies, and Darjeeling tea are all must-tries.

15. Pancham Puriwala

📍 Get Direction

Pancham Puriwala was founded over 150 years ago when Pancham moved to Bombay from Agra to try his hand at selling savouries. His perfectly cooked golden puris were so popular with the villagers that his shop lasted seven generations and expanded. This tiny, two-story eatery is always packed with hungry customers looking for delectable dishes like khichdi, kadhito (crispy bhindi curry), potato curry, and massive amounts of various puris.

16. Tunday Kababi

📍 Get Direction

You can cross yourself off the foodies list if you haven’t heard about the magnificence of Tunday Kababi in Lucknow. This legendary cafe, which first opened its doors in 1915, continues to wow the epicurean with its exquisite kebabs. People from all walks of life and from all over the world come here to sample these delectable kababs, and you should do the same during your next visit.

17. Britannia And Co

📍 Get Direction

Britannia, one of Mumbai’s most upscale spots, first made its debut in 1923 to British personnel stationed in the Fort region. Britannia is a legendary restaurant where Mumbaikars go when they want some genuinely classic Parsi cooking. The cafe preserves its age-old charm and vintage furniture, with the extra bonus of the current owner, the exceedingly delightful Boman Kohinoor, who hangs around exchanging small conversation and takes orders personally. Their amazing Mutton and Chicken Berry Pulav is a must-try.

18. Bademiyan

📍 Get Direction

The Bademiyan Stall, which first opened in 1942, moved multiple times during the tumultuous pre-independence years before settling in Colaba, Mumbai. Mohammed Yasin, who was known as Bademiya because of his long flowing beard, founded it. The restaurant is known for its hot succulent kebabs and biryani, and it is always filled till late at night.

19. Leopold Cafe

📍 Get Direction

The Leopold Cafe first opened its doors in 1857 and is still going strong today. This charming cafe has been serving excellent delicacies at the same location in Mumbai’s bustling Colaba neighbourhood for over 150 years and is the locality’s favourite place when wanting delicious yet reasonable food, not to mention beer or coffee. If you’re ever in Mumbai, make a point of stopping by this historic pre-independence restaurant.

20. Flury’s

📍 Get Direction

Flury’s was established in 1927 by Mr. and Mrs. J Flury on Park Street in the centre of Kolkata. This pre-independence British tea establishment has a lovely old world elegance and is known for its rum balls, cream meringues, and a delectable English meal. Satyajit Ray liked to go to Flury’s for breakfast every Sunday morning and is said to have had a credit account there.