Why is Mumbai's 70-year-old Yazdani Bakery closing down? The internet has a theory

There’s a certain sense of disappointment when a beloved eatery closes, even temporarily. Not being able to order a favourite comfort meal or give in to an impulse craving can leave regulars missing the familiar spot.

That's the current sentiment amongst Mumbaikars, as one of the city's most iconic and oldest bakeries, Yazdani Bakery, has closed its doors. The place, famous for its fresh breads, brun maska, mawa cake, biscuits and more, has officially shared on its Instagram handle that it is closing for renovations.

"For generations, you've made Yazdani part of Mumbai's story. Now, it's our turn to give something back. The Yazdani Bakery will be closed for renovations from September 29. Thank you for loving us and refusing us to fade. See you on the other side," the post read.

However, it is not clear if or when the bakery will resume operations anytime soon.

But scroll through the comments and one can find more than just emotional adieus. There are some theories in the mix too. The internet is calling it the "Mundhe Effect."

This update from the bakery comes amid Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe’s ongoing statewide inspection drive. Several well-known food establishments, including iconic and long-standing eateries, clubs, gymkhanas, restaurants and even a Blinkit dark store in Mumbai, have faced licence suspensions over alleged hygiene and food-storage violations.

The 'Mundhe Effect' debate

The update has also sparked a flurry of reactions online, with Mumbaikars weighing in on the bakery’s closure and the ongoing inspections. One person commented on X, “Good. Shoddy, unhygienic, just surviving because ‘we are so old’.”

Meanwhile, another user called it the “Kyani effect”, suggesting that bakeries may now be taking precautions to avoid a similar fate. Kyani & Co, another famous, over 120-year-old bakery in Mumbai, had its FSSAI licence suspended by the FDA after officials reportedly found several violations, including rat droppings, pest infestation and other hygiene lapses.

Another said, "Tukaram ji ka keher hai."

Yazdani Bakery, by the way, is not the first one to be at the centre of such speculation. Earlier, another famous Mumbai restaurant, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, which was frequented by B-Town celebs, came under similar speculation. The rumours gained so much traction that the eatery eventually released a statement to set the record straight.

There is, however, no indication from Yazdani that the renovation is linked to Mundhe.

More than just a bakery

Tucked away on Cawasji Patel Street in the Fort district, Yazdani has been part of South Mumbai’s food map since the early 1950s. The narrow street, surrounded by the heritage architecture of the Fort precinct, is very much part of its charm. The bakery is located close to landmarks including Horniman Circle, St Thomas Cathedral and Flora Fountain.

Honestly, it is a landmark in its own right.

Established by Meherwan Zend, the bakery became known for its handmade breads, ladi pav, brun maska, mawa cake, khari biscuits and other old-school favourites. Its early 20th-century building also received an Urban Heritage Award in 2007.

For many regulars, the bakery has never really been about a polished cafe experience. It is the typical Iranian aesthetic, the smell of freshly baked bread, and that familiar brun-maska-and-chai ritual.