Leopold Cafe Responds to Allegations of Racism

Leopold Cafe responds to allegations of racism saying that it was never a matter of discrimination.

Leopold Cafe, a popular restaurant in Mumbai patronised by locals and tourists alike. (Photo courtesy: tripadvisor.com)

A couple of days ago, Pooja Basu alleged that Leopold Cafe was guilty of racial discrimination when it chose to seat a group of 12 foreigners before they seated Pooja, her mother, and her friend.

The Quint spoke to Leopold Cafe and they said that Pooja arrived at the restaurant and went upstairs looking for seating under the pretext of looking for her sister. When she found that there was no seating, she came back down to wait. A group of twelve foreigners arrived and waited to be seated. As there were two free tables with seating for six, the foreigners were seated first.

They added that it was restaurant policy not to seat fewer people at a table that could accommodate larger numbers. Pooja, upset that she and her companions hadn’t been seated, began arguing, at which point, she was asked why she felt inferior to the foreigners, when it was a matter of economising space rather than discrimination.

Leopold also confirmed that it wasn’t the first time that such an incident had taken place. They added that they don’t believe in discrimination, and would like to extend a warm welcome to foreign tourists so that they return from their holiday with good memories and wish to visit India again.