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October 13, 2016
Chaakoo Bombay Cafe: evoking the atmosphere of Fifties Bombay.
Chaakoo Bombay Cafe: evoking the atmosphere of Fifties Bombay.

As we mentioned on the 5pm Dining blog yesterday, Chaakoo Bombay Cafe is set to open at 79 St Vincent Street tomorrow.

It is a couple of doors down from its Mexican sister restaurant Topolabamba. The team behind it have close links with Tutto Matto pizzeria in Edinburgh and the highly successful Pinto chain which was bought by Barburrito last year.

Classic Iranian cafes in Bombay

The idea behind the venture is that it offers a version of the classic Iranian cafes which were very popular in Bombay, now Mumbai, back in the 1950s.

From what I can gather, the original Bombay cafes stood out in they were open to anyone – a situation that may not have been the norm in all parts of the subcontinent at various times in the last century.

Chaakoo looks to have been inspired by a similar laidback ethos where anyone can wander in and relax over a leisurely Parsi lamb fritter, a cup of Iranian chai or a Perfumes of Persia cocktail.

Regional classics

The menu has been inspired by the dishes offered by the Bombay cafes – a mix of Indian regional classics, Iranian dishes and influences from further afield such as China. You can see the full menu here.

Amid the familiar chicken madras, spiced lamb chops and South Indian monkfish curry, we were intrigued by dishes like the smoked chicken tikka – chicken which has been dry rubbed using the house mix before being smoked over Chaakoo’s own whisky chips.

Bombay glam

Owner Paul Sloan said, ‘As a team we have waited so long to bring this venture to Glasgow. It is unique in a way that transposes you back to the Fifties in Bombay with a touch of glamour flung in. Our people are talented, dedicated and in love with the remarkable food and our bar menu that is beyond unique.’

Chaakoo will open tomorrow from 5pm. From Saturday, it will be open for lunch, dinner and everything in between from noon. Breakfast opening is promised further down the line.

We wish them every success.