Tom Holland, Matt Damon and Nolan ate here: Mumbai’s Olympia loses licence over roaches

Mumbai: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) suspended the licence of Colaba’s Olympia Coffee House following an inspection on September 16 after a complaint. The inspection found multiple deficiencies in the restaurant’s food preparation, storage, sanitation and hygiene practices.

Among the violations recorded by the FDA were cockroaches and flies on the premises, meat blood residues inside a refrigerator and improper separation of raw vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.

The inspection also found food being handled directly on the floor, unhygienic food preparation and utensil-washing facilities, the use of unclean water and damaged wooden chopping boards.

Food handlers were also found without the required protective clothing.

34 of 35 food handlers lacked mandatory training

The FDA found that 34 of Olympia Coffee House’s 35 food handlers had not undergone the mandatory food safety training.

The restaurant also did not have the required water testing reports and essential sanitation records available during the inspection.

The licence was suspended under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, read with Regulation 2.1.8(4) of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

During the suspension, the restaurant cannot purchase, prepare, store, sell or distribute food.

The suspension can be revoked only after the deficiencies are rectified and the premises pass a satisfactory re-inspection by the FDA.

Olympia recently hosted Tom Holland, Matt Damon and Christopher Nolan

The action comes just months after Olympia attracted attention for hosting Hollywood stars Tom Holland and Matt Damon, along with filmmaker Christopher Nolan.

The 108-year-old establishment was founded in 1918 by Syed Mohammed Merab. Known for its old-world character, wooden counters and marble-topped tables, it has long been associated with Mumbai’s Colaba neighbourhood.

The restaurant’s recent celebrity visitors brought renewed attention to the historic eatery.

Action follows Cafe Mondegar suspension

The FDA action against Olympia came a day after another well-known Colaba establishment, Cafe Mondegar, had its licence suspended over food safety and hygiene violations.

The latest enforcement action forms part of a wider festive-season food safety drive in Mumbai.

The FDA also suspended the licence of the canteen at Nair Hospital over food safety and hygiene violations. In total, licences of seven food establishments in Mumbai were suspended.

The other establishments named were Milan Punjab in Worli, Sadguru Sweets in Malad, Vishwas Sweets and Snacks in Ghatkopar West, Blink Commerce Private Limited in Chembur and A-1 General & Dry Fruits in Ghatkopar West.

FDA seizes more than 1,400 kg of khoya and mawa

As part of the festive-season inspections, the FDA seized 479 kg of loose khoya valued at ₹1,05,380 and 958 kg of sweet mawa valued at ₹2,10,760.

The total value of the seized products was ₹3,16,140. The vehicle transporting the products in what the FDA described as extremely unhygienic conditions was also seized.

In a separate operation in Palghar, officials seized 174 kg of sweet mawa valued at ₹48,720 over suspicion that it was substandard and misbranded.

What the Olympia action means

The Olympia case highlights the distinction between a restaurant’s reputation and its compliance with mandatory food safety requirements. The FDA’s findings covered several areas, including pest control, food storage, sanitation, staff training, water quality and segregation of raw food.

The suspension does not permanently close Olympia Coffee House. According to the action described in the report, the restaurant can seek revocation of the suspension after correcting the identified deficiencies and passing a satisfactory FDA re-inspection.

The case also comes amid intensified food safety enforcement in Mumbai ahead of the festive season, with several establishments facing licence suspensions and food products being seized.

Olympia Coffee House could not be contacted for comment, while Nair Hospital dean Dr Shailesh Mohite did not respond to queries.