In a steep lane dominated by biryani joints and residential blocks at Masab Tank, Café 555 is just a few metres away from one of the busiest roads in the city that connects one to Jubilee Hills, Panjagutta and Khairatabad. Their chai is so well known that you’re not amused by their tagline that reads, ‘Don’t drink and drive, Drink only Café 555 ki chai and drive.’ The café that enters its silver jubilee year in 2017 is now owned by Ali Raza Jowker and draws most of its crowds from the nearby Ahmed Nagar apart from other parts of the city.

Their chai was first sold at Rs 1.50. Now priced at Rs 10, nothing betters the warmth that their cup of Irani chai to begin your day or energise you on a tired evening. Most customers prefer to savour it with the crisp irani samosa. If you with to indulge in something sweet to go with it, there is the popular ‘bun butter’ option.

The cafe is frequented by a number of actors from Telugu film fraternity. Sania Mirza too makes it a point to visit Cafe 555 when in town. It not just their chai that’s popular — the manager Mohammed Ali proudly shows us the award the café won for its haleem.

The sight of Cafe 555 during the Ramzan season is a delight to your senses with its multi-coloured lights during the night adding to the festive aura. The haleem prepared by Ali Raza’s grandfather was a hit with the Nizams too, says the manager.

A cafe has other options as well; their quintessential dal rice and poori are sought out items during breakfast and lunch times. No full-course meal feels complete without the Lassi here. What makes Cafe 555 ideal is also their ability to cater to foodies with diverse choices over the years.

Employees from the nearby Telugu Samkshema Bhavan, Tribal Musuem, tailoring and stationery shops continue to see the cafe as a companion that has transformed itself and evolved with changing customer tastes without losing its charming nativity.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style> Food / by Srivathsan Nadadhur / April 03rd, 2017