He came to Mumbai with just Rs 4 in pocket but with big dreams. Today, the Ambanis, the Tendulkars, and Bollywood celebs come to his famous restaurant

Mumbai's famous Shree Thaker Bhojanalay was established in 1945. (Image - Instagram)

Synopsis

Maganbhai Purohit started Shree Thaker Bhojanalay in Mumbai in 1945 with little money. His sons now run the restaurant. It is known for its Gujarati thali and follows the principle of 'Atithi Devo Bhava'. The eatery has received many awards. It serves seasonal dishes made with local ingredients. Regular customers are well-known to the staff.

By ET Online

Mar 06, 2026, 02:31:00 PM IST

Sometimes, all it takes is a little belief in yourself and a desire to make something in life that takes you a long way. Successful stories that you hear do not begin with wealth, having resources, or making powerful connections. It usually begins with your inner voice urging you to step out of your comfort zone and bring change with effort, patience, determination and navigating challenges like a braveheart. If you have been seeking some inspiration today, then the story of the rise of Mumbai’s iconic Shree Thaker Bhojanalay is something you must know.

Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, tucked away in the bustling and narrow lanes of Kalbadevi in the City of Dreams, is a paradise for food lovers, especially those who love a heart-warming Gujarati thali. This family-run restaurant was founded by Maganbhai Purohit in 1945. Now, it is run by his sons Gautam and Krishna Purohit.

Mumbai eatery built on the philosophy of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’

Gautam Purohit, in a conversation with Humans of Bombay, shared his father’s incredible story of establishing the now-famous eatery, visited by Michelin-starred chefs and prominent personalities like filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, Sachin Tendulkar’s daughter Sara, Triptii Dimri and many more. Late billionaire Dhirubhai Ambani and his wife Kokilaben have also savoured traditional dishes here. As per Gautam, his father left his hometown in Rajasthan and arrived in Mumbai to make a living for himself. He had a meagre 2-5 rupees with him at that time.

Determined to become something in life, he performed odd jobs, but more importantly, he learnt the art of cooking from maharajs. After saving some money, he finally launched Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, with ‘Thakur’ being their family name. Maganbhai Purohit’s philosophy was simple: Atithi Devo Bhava. He believed and followed that everyone who visits the restaurant leaves the premises with a full stomach and a happy smile.

Seasonal thalis, loyal patrons and timeless flavours

According to Gautam Purohit, the restaurant offers a range of free-flowing meals with diverse dishes that change as per the season and the day. The ingredients are locally sourced with staples like dal, shaak, rotli, rice and farsan, each carrying the warmth of home. Every item is freshly prepared, but in quantities required for that particular day, nothing too much is causing wastage. The employer-customer relationship is another important aspect at the restaurant. The staff are aware of the regular patrons — individuals who ask for extra dal, those who skip sweets and ones who always demand another rotli.

Among the many accolades, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay has been honoured with the Times Food & Nightlife Award for the 19th time last year. It continues to serve lip-smacking items like kadhi, undhiyu, khichdi, ringan nu shaak, batata and shrikhand among others that directly hit home.