Mumbai’s iconic Olympia Coffee House, a 108-year-old restaurant in Colaba, has been suspended by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for several food safety and hygiene violations following an inspection.
The FDA took action following a consumer complaint through its “Safe Food Safe Maharashtra” campaign. On September 16, inspectors visited the premises and observed deficiencies in food storage, preparation, handling, and sanitation.
Among the findings reported by the FDA was a urinal in the food storage area. Meat blood in a fridge and cockroaches and flies in the premises were also found, inspectors said. Food was being processed directly on the floor, and the food preparation and utensil-washing areas were found to be unhygienic.
Multiple Hygiene Violations Reported
The inspection identified several other issues with food handling and storage. Raw vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items were not properly segregated, leading to the risk of cross-contamination, according to reports.
The officials also found damaged wooden chopping boards being used for food preparation. Unclean water was reportedly being used at the establishment, and food handlers were not wearing appropriate protective clothing.
The FDA also reported cockroaches and flies. Such conditions were among the deficiencies in the action against the restaurant.
The inspection also showed gaps in mandatory food-safety training. Of the 35 food handlers at the restaurant, 34 had not received the required food-safety training, the inspection found. The restaurant was also unable to provide water-testing reports and essential sanitation records during the inspection.
Food Licence Suspended
Following the inspection, the Maharashtra FDA suspended Olympia Coffee House's food licence under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and food licensing regulations.
The suspension means the establishment has been directed to stop activities involving the purchase, preparation, storage, sale, and distribution of food during the suspension period.
According to the FDA, the restaurant can take further action after the deficiencies identified during the inspection are corrected and a satisfactory re-inspection is made. So the licence suspension is connected to food safety requirements specified by the regulator.
Complaint Triggered the Inspection
The FDA’s action followed a consumer complaint filed under the state’s “Safe Food Safe Maharashtra” campaign. The inspection was part of a wider food safety enforcement campaign in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.
The department has been performing inspections at restaurants, hotels, canteens, and other food stores, especially during the Christmas holiday period. Some restaurants in Mumbai were suspended or were given licence suspensions after inspections, the report said.
FDA suspends Olympia Coffee House licence
— Mumbai Heritage (@mumbaiheritage) September 17, 2026
The Maharashtra FDA has suspended the food licence of Olympia Coffee House, Colaba, after an inspection on September 16 following a consumer complaint.
FDA reported serious hygiene violations, including a urinal in the food storage… pic.twitter.com/yEuzlgTERj
The FDA also inspected the Nair Hospital canteen in Mumbai Central, where it found serious food safety and hygiene problems and suspended its licence. A few other restaurants, such as Cafe Mondegar and several food businesses across Mumbai and in different parts of Mumbai, have also been targeted during the enforcement efforts.
Olympia Coffee House's Long History in Mumbai
The FDA action comes at a time when Olympia Coffee House has always had a lot of people to look forward to because of its long history in Mumbai. The Colaba restaurant has been around for over a century and is one of the older places in the city.
The restaurant also recently attracted international attention after Hollywood filmmaker Christopher Nolan and actors Matt Damon and Tom Holland visited the establishment during their Mumbai trip. The group visited the place for tea, bun maska, and other local favourites, the report stated.
The latest FDA action, however, is related to food safety compliance, not the restaurant’s history or popularity.
Olympia Coffee House has been directed to stop food-related operations until the deficiencies are corrected and the premises are re-inspected. The case shows the need for food establishments to adhere to prescribed hygiene, food-handling, staff-training, and documentation standards.
