Olympia Coffee House, the century-old Colaba eatery in Mumbai that recently made headlines after visits by Christopher Nolan, Matt Damon, and Tom Holland, is now facing regulatory action over food safety and hygiene concerns. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the cafe’s licence following an inspection triggered by a consumer complaint. Officials reportedly found a range of violations, including cockroach and fly infestation, poor food handling practices and a urinal inside the food storage area.
Mumbai cafe’s license suspension after FDA inspection
The Mumbai cafe licence suspension followed an inspection in which FDA officials reportedly flagged several conditions they considered serious food safety violations. Inspectors found meat and blood residues inside a refrigerator, along with cockroaches and flies on the premises.
The inspection also reportedly found food being handled directly on the floor, unhygienic food preparation and utensil-washing areas, and the use of unclean water. Raw vegetarian and non-vegetarian food was also allegedly not being stored separately.
The findings did not stop there. Officials reportedly found damaged wooden chopping boards being used in the kitchen, while food handlers were allegedly not wearing appropriate protective clothing.
The Mumbai cafe’s license suspension by the FDA will remain in place until further notice, according to the report.
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Mumbai cafe licence suspended as food safety checks intensify
Olympia Coffee House is among several establishments across Maharashtra against which the FDA has taken action as food safety inspections intensify. The inspection drive has brought greater attention to hygiene standards in restaurants, cafes, and other food establishments.
The reported presence of a urinal in the food storage area was among the findings that drew particular attention. The FDA has also flagged the need for proper separation of raw food, hygienic preparation areas, and safe handling practices.
The Mumbai cafe’s license suspension following the inspection is therefore linked to a broader regulatory exercise rather than the cafe’s association with visiting celebrities.
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Mumbai cafe’s license suspended weeks after Hollywood visit
The regulatory action comes just weeks after Olympia became a talking point among film fans when Christopher Nolan, Matt Damon, and Tom Holland visited the Colaba cafe during their Mumbai trip in July.
The Hollywood filmmaker and actors reportedly stopped for tea, bun maska, and desserts while in the city ahead of the premiere of Nolan’s film The Odyssey. Their visit brought fresh attention to the old-school cafe, which has long been known for dishes such as mutton keema pav, biryani, kebabs, dal gosht, Irani chai, and bun maska.
For a cafe with such a long association with Mumbai’s food culture, the suspension of its Mumbai cafe’s licence over reported hygiene violations marks a striking shift in its recent public attention. The licence will remain suspended while the regulatory action continues.
FAQs
Why was Olympia Coffee House’s license suspended?
The Maharashtra FDA suspended the licence after inspectors reported several food-safety and hygiene violations.
Did Christopher Nolan, Matt Damon and Tom Holland visit Olympia Coffee House?
Yes, the three reportedly visited the Colaba cafe in July during their Mumbai trip.