Batliwala & Co. opens in Dubai as a tribute to the Irani cafés of Bombay
Eclectic, characterful and transportive. This Business Bay new opening combines the charm of a railway-style dining room, a sweeping terrace with Burj Khalifa views and a fully operational 1980s inspired sweet shop
Dubai, UAE – 15 April 2026 – Irani cafés may trace their distant roots to Persian settlers, but it was in Bombay (Mumbai) where they truly found their Parsi (Persian) café identity - evolving into one of the city’s most beloved and enduring cultural institutions.
Over time, these cafés became more than just places to eat. They became part of Bombay’s social fabric: democratic, lively, always open, and filled with the unmistakable aroma of chai, fresh bread, and conversation.
Batliwala & Co. brings that Bombay Irani café spirit to Dubai - not as nostalgia alone, but as a living, breathing experience shaped by generations of flavour, warmth, and community. This is not reinterpretation for the sake of trend; it is an honest continuation of a culture that has stood the test of time.
Location & Experience
Perched above Bay Square in Business Bay, Batliwala & Co. captures the essence of an Irani café – relaxed, welcoming and always full of life. Whether planned or spontaneous, it’s a space that brings people together over convivial dining.
By day it’s lively and sun-drenched. By night, the terrace opens with uninterrupted views of the Burj Khalifa - one of the most dramatic backdrops for a cold cocktail or cup of chai that Dubai has to offer. Open daily from Monday to Thursday from 11am - 2am. Friday to Sunday from 10am - 2am.
The Interiors
Every corner of Batliwala & Co. has been designed to reward the curious. Vintage gramophones sit beside retro sewing machines. Tiffin boxes are stacked next to framed black-and-white photographs, and old radios line the shelves. It’s the kind of place where you notice something new on every visit - and where conversation naturally starts before the food even arrives.
Walk through the entrance and you’re greeted by a recreated Bombay-style neighbourhood provisions store lined with pantry jars and familiar staples you can take home. Move inside and the space unfolds: a colourful sweet shop section flows into the main dining area before the room spills out onto the terrace. It moves exactly the way a great Bombay evening does - informal, warm, slightly chaotic and deeply pleasurable.
The Menu
The menu is an extensive deep-dive into Parsi cuisine, shaped by big flavour. Snacks, sharers, appetisers, mains, curries and a bread section made entirely in-house using the traditional methods.
Highlights from the sharers include the Mutton BBQ in a Bun - smoky, charred mutton pulled from the grill and piled into a soft bun. The Juhu Beach Pani Puri delivers crisp shells filled with spiced potato and chickpea, finished with tangy tamarind water. Bun Maska Jam, soft buttered bread with a balance of sweet and savoury, pairs naturally with a strong Irani chai.
The mains show the kitchen’s confidence. The Dhansak Set is the centrepiece, a slow-cooked blend of lentils, vegetables and meat served with rice and kachumber. The Railway Chicken Curry is rich and deeply spiced, while the Prawns Allepey features simmered prawns in coconut with fresh mango. For vegetarians, the Britannia’s Berry Pulao offers fragrant rice with saffron, barberries, nuts and veggies. An extensive bread selection rounds out the savoury ‘side-kick’ offerings.
Desserts continue with equal care. The Mawa Cake is a dense sponge enriched with milk solids and cardamom, while Lagan nu Custard is a silky baked custard with nutmeg, cardamom and caramelised sugar.
The Bar
The cocktail menu draws on the Indian pantry - herbs, spices, fruit and tea - and turns them into something genuinely exciting. Each drink has its own personality and reason to be ordered – there’s something for everyone from Sours to Slings, Coolers to Fizzes.
Amongst the signatures the Berry Fatakri blends black-pepper gin with fresh strawberries into something bright and punchy. The Irani Biscuit Old Fashioned is a signature, bourbon fat-washed with Irani biscuits and warm spice, rich and smooth. Guava Bawa mixes guava, chilli and lime into something vivid, while High Chai brings tea, citrus and spice together in a low-ABV serve. For those keeping it dry, Irani Sodas and Thums Up are ice-cold and nostalgic.
Overall
Batliwala & Co. is one of those openings that fills a gap you didn’t quite know existed. Dubai has no shortage of restaurants, but few that feel like somewhere - with real cultural weight and a clear story, delivered plate by plate.
It works at any hour. Lunch can be enjoyed with Chai, maska buns and kheema pao; livelier crowd, terrace views of the Burj Khalifa, and cocktails. It suits a solo stop, group dinner or spontaneous night out - exactly the point. It offers a unique experience with uninterrupted Burj Khalifa views, a menu built around iconic Irani dishes along with the flavors that Mumbai has to offer, and a bar drawing from the flavours of Bombay.
Reservations are now available via sevenrooms.com, or by calling 050 272 8727.