July 11, 2025: Mumbaikars may soon be able to enjoy their tea or coffee with sweeping views of the iconic Queen’s Necklace, as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has invited bids to operate a rooftop café atop the Pramod Navalkar Viewing Gallery at Malabar Hill in South Mumbai.
The tender is for the first floor of the two-storey structure and will be leased for a period of 10 years, with an estimated rent of Rs 11.72 crore. The contractor selected will also be responsible for managing the art gallery located on the lower ground level.
As cooking is not allowed on the premises, the menu will consist of pre-cooked or ready-to-eat items, which may be reheated using a microwave, along with beverages such as tea and coffee. The BMC has also approached the contractor currently running the café at Byculla Zoo. Interested bidders must have a minimum of five years’ experience in operating a Grade-I eatery or managing a food court or Quick Service Restaurant in Mumbai. Tenders will be accepted until July 14, according to an official from the Hydraulic Engineering Department.
The 5,000 sq ft viewing deck, situated near Kamala Nehru Park, offers picturesque vistas of Girgaon Chowpatty, Marine Drive, and Nariman Point. It is a popular destination for tourists, especially during the monsoon season. Built at a cost of Rs 10 crore, it was opened to the public in 2018.
The idea to introduce a rooftop café was proposed by the municipal commissioner, reviving memories of the much-loved Café Naaz, which once operated at the same location until 1998. The new café aims to enhance the visitor experience while also generating revenue for the civic body.
Source: The Free Press Journal
