Hyderabad, April 27 -- Touted as the oldest cafe in India, Leopold Cafe sits snugly within the labyrinthine streets of Mumbai's Colaba Causeway. Here, history whispers through colonial-era buildings, and modernity pulses through swarming crowds. Located in the shadow of Mumbai's magnificent twin landmarks-the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel (1903) and Taj Mahal Tower (1973)-Leopold, fondly called "Leo" by its loyal patrons, is more than just a cafe; it's a landmark of nostalgia, resilience, and culinary brilliance.

The cafe is compact, almost nondescriptive from the outside and open on both sides to the street. It is deliciously noisy inside, with cacophony from honking traffic and symphony of lively chatter. With grand colonial interiors, a vibr...