The sister restaurant of Topolabamba Mexican Kitchen, Chaakoo Bombay Cafe looks forward to taking guests back in time to experience the incredible flavours, smells and atmosphere of a classic Iranian cafe. The original Bombay Cafes, otherwise known as Irani cafes, were opened by the Persian & Iranian immigrants who came to India in the 19th Century.
Irani Cafes were popular for Irani Chai tea and a melting pot menu of Classic Iranian grill dishes and Classic Bombay dishes. They were frequented and endorsed by students, taxi drivers, ladies of the night and lawyers akin, as the world passed by outside. In the 1950s, 350 Irani Cafes existed and now today, only 25.
Irani Cafes were popular for Irani Chai tea and a melting pot menu of Classic Iranian grill dishes and Classic Bombay dishes. They were frequented and endorsed by students, taxi drivers, ladies of the night and lawyers akin, as the world passed by outside. In the 1950s, 350 Irani Cafes existed and now today, only 25.
Reviews (30)
Ms. Sophie
Jan 16, 2022
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Debbie Haggart
Jan 11, 2022
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Sunne Sammje
Dec 28, 2021
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Listen people. This is NOT INDIAN FOOD FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. I don’t believe my eyes when I see this place busy. I went here recently (31st Dec, 2021) and the dishes I had were not cooked as it should’ve been. There was hardly any authentic taste, and clearly the food was lacking the correct spices for the dishes that I ordered. Firstly, the saag paneer was watery, and all I saw was green water that tasted like those spinach cans you can buy in the supermarket and it had nothing but onion. Secondly, the food was super cold, we asked them to reheat it and it was still cold. I feel like I have
Stuartvar Hart Grahamson
Dec 01, 2021
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Me and the lads visited Glasgow for a gig, was recommended this place, absolutely hands down the best Indian food we've ever had ( and we've put a fair few curries away over the years ! 😀 ) and possibly some of the best food overall. Each dish tasted unique as it should, rather than the usual generic slop some places serve up. The fish pakoros, chicken wings , garlic lamb bhuna, monk fish , lamb Jalfrezi.. really really good 👍 Great service to from the staff, friendly and helpful ..
Hamish Paterson
Nov 21, 2021
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Suphannee Fleming
Nov 07, 2021
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I’ve been here many time but tonight I was really not happy, the banana cocktail had no banana in it the was no condiment for my 4 year old the lager was 2 different colours and there service was very poor. Too busy for there Own good
The meal was rushed
Won’t rush back
We used to love to take the train through better places to go
The meal was rushed
Won’t rush back
We used to love to take the train through better places to go
Reem Key
Oct 21, 2021
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Sam Palmer
Oct 13, 2021
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Popped in here for dinner before catching our train home. Our waiter was really helpful in telling us how things worked and advising us on what to order.
Our food arrived really quickly and was delicious, as was the pot of chai tea. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the decor too.
Our waiter was also a help in telling us how quickly we could get to the station from the restaurant afterwards.
Our food arrived really quickly and was delicious, as was the pot of chai tea. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the decor too.
Our waiter was also a help in telling us how quickly we could get to the station from the restaurant afterwards.
Alison Annall
Oct 09, 2021
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Tapas style Indian food in a relaxed, informal setting. The food was excellent, fantastic flavours and so moreish! The staff were friendly and helpful. My one wee complaint might be that a couple of the dishes could have been a bit warmer but overall a lovely dining experience. I am completely hooked and will definitely be returning as soon as I can ❤
Uthayakumar Soundararajan
Sep 28, 2021
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Busy Indian restaurant at heart of GLASGOW.
Great ambiance, nice drinks selection, friendly staffs and also close to train station.
We have visited after a business meeting in Glasgow because of top on google reviews and rating. Fully crowed at 6pm, strong customer base for food and drinks.
Food comes super quick same as in India. We enjoyed the moment there.
Great ambiance, nice drinks selection, friendly staffs and also close to train station.
We have visited after a business meeting in Glasgow because of top on google reviews and rating. Fully crowed at 6pm, strong customer base for food and drinks.
Food comes super quick same as in India. We enjoyed the moment there.
Sharon Higgins
Aug 15, 2021
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Thomas Harrison
Jul 25, 2021
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Such an amazing place!!! If you're in Glasgow don't miss out on this gem. Food is so so good, you order little dishes and we shared but you don't have to. They are small but packed full of flavour and the smells are wonderful. If you want quality over quantity this is the place for you. The staff were wonderful from start to Finish and made you feel very welcomed.
Luz Caceres
Jul 14, 2021
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Alison Gray
Jan 31, 2021
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Willemijn F.
Sep 24, 2020
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We went for dinner here last night. The decor is stylish, yet cosy. The waiter talked us through the menu and explained that it's best to order around 5 dishes for 2 people. We ordered 2 curries, rice, pickles, naan and samosas. The food was incredible and we ended up getting more samosas because we loved them so much. We ended up with a £30 bill which is very reasonable. Will definitely be back!
David Allan
Aug 25, 2020
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Tamara M.
Feb 06, 2020
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Stumbled upon this gem and I am so glad we went inside!
The first thing you notice is the aroma in the restaurant. A beautiful blend of spice that made us ever hungrier than we were when we walked in.
There was a bit of a wait (dinner time on a Wednesday) but we didn't mind. A busy restaurant is a good sign! We got a drink at the bar and watched as diners around us were clearly enjoying their meals.
We were sat at a table upstairs and that worried me slightly, as I thought we wouldn't be seen but a waitress was with us promptly and was very helpful in guiding us through their menu
The first thing you notice is the aroma in the restaurant. A beautiful blend of spice that made us ever hungrier than we were when we walked in.
There was a bit of a wait (dinner time on a Wednesday) but we didn't mind. A busy restaurant is a good sign! We got a drink at the bar and watched as diners around us were clearly enjoying their meals.
We were sat at a table upstairs and that worried me slightly, as I thought we wouldn't be seen but a waitress was with us promptly and was very helpful in guiding us through their menu
Cindy Z.
Dec 26, 2019
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I really fell for Indian food after Dishoom, so decided to find an alternative in Glasgow. Although I made reservations for here on a Thursday afternoon, it wasn't too busy until after 12pm. I chose to come here for lunch time due to their lunch special, but unfortunately it was not offered.
Instead, we ordered the Tandoori Spiced Wings (£6.25), Chicken Madras (£6.75), Dum Biryani (£6.95), Garlic Naan (£2.25), and Jeera Rice (£2.95). Surprisingly enough, the chicken wings were our personal favorite. It was a little spicy, a little sweet, and full of flavor. I also loved the chicken madras
Instead, we ordered the Tandoori Spiced Wings (£6.25), Chicken Madras (£6.75), Dum Biryani (£6.95), Garlic Naan (£2.25), and Jeera Rice (£2.95). Surprisingly enough, the chicken wings were our personal favorite. It was a little spicy, a little sweet, and full of flavor. I also loved the chicken madras
Jacqueline B.
Nov 12, 2019
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Jamie Ellis
Sep 16, 2019
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Big B.
Aug 20, 2019
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Arpita B.
Jul 15, 2019
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Grahame G.
Mar 19, 2018
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I so want to give this place five stars, but alas... on this visit they fell just short.
It was Sunday evening and we were a party of 6 (later joined by a 7th) who turned up without a reservation. The place was moderately busy without being heaving, so we were warmly welcomed and immediately ushered to an empty booth towards the rear.
I loved the architectural decor in here, there's some lovely cornice work - and Corinthian-topped marble columns too! Did this used to be a bank or something? It's a great conversion job, with something of the vibe of a gin joint rather than a curry house
It was Sunday evening and we were a party of 6 (later joined by a 7th) who turned up without a reservation. The place was moderately busy without being heaving, so we were warmly welcomed and immediately ushered to an empty booth towards the rear.
I loved the architectural decor in here, there's some lovely cornice work - and Corinthian-topped marble columns too! Did this used to be a bank or something? It's a great conversion job, with something of the vibe of a gin joint rather than a curry house
Carol T.
Aug 26, 2017
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I had high expectations for this place and wish I could give it five stars. As others said the ambience is very nice and the restaurant is clean. Our group ordered the £20 per person tasting menu. Note: the whole group must get tasting menu. There was a lot of food. The standout were the king prawn appetizer and pakoras. The curries were flavourful but I found the lamb and the chicken just too dry. It came with 2 types of rice and I couldn't really taste any lemon in the lemon rice. We ordered the garlic naan as an add-on and I definitely recommend that and we finished with a very
Har D.
Aug 19, 2017
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Excellent atmosphere and decor. Tyoical Bombay street style rest.
We ordered the Lassis
1 = Dont touch it
5 = Excellent
Guava lassi 1/5 something should not be on menu
Mint Lassi 2/5 Cough mixture
Mango lassi 4/5 Not too thick just right
Chai Tea 4/5
gave a hearty warm feeling. Delicious
The small plates is good value however some were below standard.
PAKORA 3/5 needed a bit more frying
Samosa 2/5 fillings was too curriedfied as tto much msala
Gobi 2/5 was delicious however it had carbon covering it. Was geillwd a tag too long
Tandoori Chaat 3/5 excellent succulent and is tasty
We ordered the Lassis
1 = Dont touch it
5 = Excellent
Guava lassi 1/5 something should not be on menu
Mint Lassi 2/5 Cough mixture
Mango lassi 4/5 Not too thick just right
Chai Tea 4/5
gave a hearty warm feeling. Delicious
The small plates is good value however some were below standard.
PAKORA 3/5 needed a bit more frying
Samosa 2/5 fillings was too curriedfied as tto much msala
Gobi 2/5 was delicious however it had carbon covering it. Was geillwd a tag too long
Tandoori Chaat 3/5 excellent succulent and is tasty
Rainer H.
Jul 22, 2017
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Was there last week. Not the typical Indian restaurant. Looks somewhat like a traditional pub. Lots of wood. What an incredible place! Great flavors and very friendly, accommodating service. The waiter's recommendation butter chicken was a blast. We had it with garlic naan bread and rice, of course. But also the curries are great. We also loved the eggplant. Prices are very affordable, especially for the location. You might need 2 dishes per person. That makes it even better to try out more great Indian flavors.
Paul E.
May 21, 2017
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Joe H.
May 20, 2017
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Been here twice in a week since discovering it on St Vincent street. What an incredible place! Whilst calm and ordered on a lunchtime, weekend evenings are another thing altogether - make sure you book a table in advance!
Service is fantastic-we had the lovely Selina serve us & it's great how personable staff are. This really makes a place make no mistake. As for the food... wow. This is some seriously great simple Indian food, that won't break the bank. Our favourites are the Butter Chicken, Keema, Chicken tikka, Monkfish, Rogan Josh... well, pretty much the whole menu
Get yourself
Service is fantastic-we had the lovely Selina serve us & it's great how personable staff are. This really makes a place make no mistake. As for the food... wow. This is some seriously great simple Indian food, that won't break the bank. Our favourites are the Butter Chicken, Keema, Chicken tikka, Monkfish, Rogan Josh... well, pretty much the whole menu
Get yourself
Austen M.
Feb 08, 2017
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I had my doubts but I was very pleasantly surprised. Very cool interior colonial style decor and an interesting quirky menu. Not just an Indian style restaurant, but based on one set up by Iranian immigrants to India. Lots of small plates were shared but standouts were the kofta curry, monk fish curry, naan and then the dessert! An amazing tobrelone and chocolate mousse. Staff were friendly and food not to expensive. Well worth checking it out.
Faiza H.
Nov 19, 2016
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A very central location and really nicely decorated inside. It's kept many of the original features and added lots of traditional Indian posters, sepia tinted photos of unsmiling Indian people and some entertaining signs with all the spelling mistakes kept in. All in all I love how it looks. It's also airy because of the high ceilings and there's oodles of room.
We went for breakfast and although I would have liked a larger portion I enjoyed my breakfast of eggs royale with saag paneer on naan. The masala chai was also good but came in a tiny teapot (for two people? Really?!) and
We went for breakfast and although I would have liked a larger portion I enjoyed my breakfast of eggs royale with saag paneer on naan. The masala chai was also good but came in a tiny teapot (for two people? Really?!) and
