Swapnil
Google
👍 What’s good
The parlour is iconic and long-standing (founded around 1953) in South Bombay / Churchgate area.
They’re well known for ice-cream sandwiches: thick slabs of ice cream between wafer biscuits rather than just a cone.
Massive flavour variety: reviews mention dozens of flavours such as walnut crunch, coffee crunch, paan, coconut, black-currant, mango, kesar-pista, etc.
Good value: many reviews mention “reasonably priced”, especially for a novelty/heritage spot.
Great location for a treat while strolling: it’s near Marine Drive / Churchgate (Veer Nariman Road) in Mumbai, so you can grab and walk.
Recognition: It ranked #49 on the global “150 best places for desserts” list by Taste Atlas, which speaks to its reputation.
---
👀 Things to watch / possible downsides
No seating (or very limited). It’s more of a stop-and-go rather than a leisurely sit-down parlour. Some reviews mention you’ll eat outside.
Payment: Many customers note they accept only cash (or at least preferred cash) and maybe no/limited digital payments. E.g., one review: “They still don’t accept online payments even in 2025.”
Crowds / wait times: Given its fame, you might have to queue, especially during evenings or weekends.
Flavour availability: Some flavours may be sold out or not available; one review says “most of the flavours were not available from the menu and they only had a few selected written on a white board”.
Mixed reviews on taste: While many love it, some feel it’s more hype than exceptional. Example from Reddit: > “I ordered raspberry, chocolate roasted almond … found it to be more scented then flavourful.” Also from Zomato: “The ice creams are good but nothing so extraordinary about the taste.”
---
✅ My verdict
If I were to summarise: yes — K. Rustom & Co. is worth a visit, especially if you’re in South Mumbai, exploring the area, or want to try a piece of local culinary heritage. The ice-cream sandwich concept, the flavour list, the setting near Marine Drive all add up to an experience.
But: don’t go expecting ultra-luxury or high-end gourmet ice cream. It’s more about charm, nostalgia and novelty than being the ultimate ice-cream parlor in terms of the richest flavour or luxe ambience. So if you have limited time, go for it if you’re nearby; but I wouldn’t plan a long trip just for it unless you’re an ice cream enthusiast.
---
🎯 Tips for your visit
Go during non-peak hours (early afternoon) to avoid long queues.
Bring cash (or ask ahead if cards/UPI are accepted).
Choose a few flavours you’d like (e.g., coffee crunch, walnut crunch, kesar-pista) and be flexible if some aren’t available.
If you’re planning to enjoy it near Marine Drive (which is recommended), have tissues/napkins handy — the wafer sandwich can be messier than a cone.
Since your interest is in ice cream (and you study Food Technology), you might want to note the unique format (wafer sandwich) and flavour variety — could spark ideas for study/analysis of formats or consumer appeal.