Around Town: Inside South Mumbai’s 75-year-old Delux Kerala Restaurant, and its famous Onam Sadya

Delux Kerala Restaurant in South Mumbai is a 75-year-old eatery that has become a beloved spot for many notable figures. Manager C H Basheer, a 60-year-old resident of the area, points out that even if a famous person visits Mumbai from Kerala, they will likely eat at Delux. Prominent visitors include rapper Sooraj Cherukat, who gained worldwide fame with his song "Big Dawgs," as well as actors Aishwarya, V S Sivakumar, Dr T M Thomas Isaac, and K T Jaleel. Photos of these visitors grace a memory wall within the restaurant.

Established by Keletra Abdul Kadar Haji, Delux began as a modest 24-seater restaurant serving Kerala-style cuisine. Over the years, it has expanded to include an air-conditioned first floor, but its essence remains deeply rooted in the community and the traditional food it serves. The walls are adorned with murals celebrating Kerala's cultural heritage, such as Kathakali dancers, Vallam Kali, snake-boat races, and the Thrissur Pooram festival with its majestic gold-adorned elephants.

Basheer has managed Delux for three decades, originally starting his career in Mumbai as a waiter at another restaurant called Maharaja. He has remained dedicated to the restaurant ever since, working daily, day and night, except for the afternoon break. His connection to Delux goes beyond work; it has been a constant in his life, reflecting the longstanding nature of the establishment.

The restaurant's menu offers a wide variety of dishes, including Chinese favorites, but it is Kerala food that truly defines Delux. Seafood and Sadya, a traditional meal featuring rice, sambar, rasam, and payasam, take center stage. The Sadya is particularly popular, with more than 100 people dining on it every day, and the numbers swell to over 500 for Sunday feasts. The Onam Sadya, in particular, attracts a massive crowd, with over 500 people lining up to partake in the elaborate meal.