Independent restaurant group Dishoom visited the Flower Market yesterday morning January 23^rd), offering free cups of their famous Indian chai to their new Nine Elms neighbours.

“We’ve recently opened in Battersea Power Station, just a seven-minute walk from the Flower Market,” says Dishoom’s Natalie Poole, whose job title is ‘Local Chatter Babu Walli’, (roughly translating to Local Marketing Manager) reflecting the history of the Irani cafés originally found in Bombay. Opened early last century by Zoroastrian immigrants from Iran, the cafés provided a safe space where people of any culture, class or religion could eat and drink together.

Adapting the concept for a new generation, Dishoom now donates a meal to a child for each meal eaten in their restaurants – to date they’ve donated more than 20 million meals!

The menu at Dishoom offers everything from Bombay-themed breakfast or lunch to afternoon chai, dinner, and late tipples. “It was great to meet so many new faces and explain a little about what we offer,” adds Natalie, who was also offering free breakfast vouchers alongside a warm cuppa. “We serve breakfast up to 11.45am each morning, so we’re looking forward to meeting you all again when you visit us.”

Dishoom Battersea is the seventh site to open in London, alongside restaurants in Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Manchester.