We live in a Mumbai that is no stranger to brand new openings every few days. At this point, ‘this new gem in Bandra!’ has become an ironic, sarcastic statement used to mock just how many “brand new gems” inhabit this part of the city. Because nothing is really so gem-like about the 100th identical-but-new cafe that has just opened its doors to Gen-Z customers, waiting to be part of what’s cool.
And so, our desperation for the extraordinary is only skyrocketing. We no longer seek just a good meal, but experiences that go beyond it; meals that tell stories of heritage and place, food that quietly teaches history, and culinary journeys defined as much by where we are and what we’re experiencing as by what arrives on the plate.
Lately, I’ve been loving meals that are an experience, made out of all things theatrical, extra, and fun—the kind where your cocktail arrives smoking, bubbling, or hidden inside something completely random. Where you’re seated on a cruise, waiting for the meal of your lifetime, where the menu isn’t something you read—it’s something that unfolds like a narrative. Course by course. Sip by sip. Surprise by surprise!
Dinner, in 2026, is no longer just about filling your stomach. It’s about experiencing something we’ve probably never had the opportunity of doing before. It’s about booking something that feels like an event of its own. So if you’re bored of the same old dinners chock-full of copy-paste menus, safe choices, and autopilot orders—consider this your reset button. Read on for some of Mumbai’s coolest culinary experiences to enjoy right away!
Avatara
If you think vegetarian meals are predictable, Avatara Mumbai will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about plants on a plate. This restaurant invites diners on a theatrical, multi-course journey that feels more like an art exhibit than a typical dinner. It would also be helpful to know that it’s the world’s first and only vegetarian fine-dining experience with a Michelin star!
What makes Avatara a worthy placeholder on this list is the concept. It’s the Indian outpost of a Michelin-starred vegetarian restaurant that first earned acclaim in Dubai, bringing that same rigorous creativity to Santacruz. At its heart is a fixed tasting menu of 16 courses that play around with India’s regional flavours through inventive techniques and unexpected combinations.
The best part? This is not your average vegetarian spread. The menu intentionally avoids familiar vegetarian dishes like paneer, mushrooms, onion and garlic, instead coaxing extraordinary flavour and texture from less common ingredients such as bitter gourd, beetroot, jackfruit and more. The dishes often even come with Sanskrit-inspired names that hint at a deeper cultural significance.
Meanwhile, the interiors at Avatara are calm and almost meditative, with a palette of whites, sea greens and muted blues that nod to the River Ganges, grounding the fine-dining experience in Indian aesthetics.
Some standout courses include the artfully deconstructed Naivedhya, inspired by traditional temple offerings, and their beet-and-ghee roast. Other favourites are Avatara’s seasonal riff-offs on regional classics, including their corn shorba and ragi-based galouti.
A meal at Avatara is a slow, sensory experience that spills across 16 courses—perfect for those looking for something a little different!
Address: 7th floor, Krishna Curve Building, Juhu Tara Rd, opp. Juhu Garden, Hasmukh Nagar, Santacruz (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400054
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12–4 pm, 7–11 pm)
Price for two: INR 10,000
Harajuku Tokyo Cafe
If dining can ever feel like stepping into a bright, neon-lit Tokyo arcade, right at home without catching a flight, it’s here! Harajuku Tokyo Café in BKC, Mumbai, brings Japan’s vibrant streetside energy, complete with manga murals, neon lights, and a giant sushi conveyor belt, to the city’s dining scene in a way that’s more of an experience than just a meal.
By day, the restaurant turns lunchtime into a playful challenge with its Kaiten Zushi (conveyor belt sushi) concept. Plates of fresh sushi glide past you on a moving belt, and the fun is in the chase—you must grab the ones you want before they disappear. By night, Harajuku turns into an after-hours experience, providing diners with a look into what Tokyo’s nightlife is really like. On weekends, this evolves into a spirited “Kaiten Clash,” where speed and instinct become part of the meal: colour-coded plates circle by, and the more you nab, the more your stacked bill tells a story of your appetite. On Fridays, they even do karaoke! What more could one even want from a restaurant?
The menu at Harajuku has a world of options to choose from, with dishes that taste just as ravishing as they look. Expect fresh sushi like Rainbow Rolls and Spicy Avocado Cream Cheese Rolls, which are quick to vanish off the belt, alongside sashimi, asparagus tempura, and vegetable-topped options that please both adventurous and comfort-seeking palates. Small plates kick off the experience with delights like shrimp dynamite, Korean-style corn dogs, and crispy chicken popcorn dusted in Harajuku’s signature spice. Crowd favourites for mains include coal-fired miso salmon, king oyster mushrooms, and comforting bowls like chicken katsu curry or ramen inspired by Japanese street and izakaya experiences.
And then there’s dessert—the part that blows your sweet tooth away! The café’s jiggly Japanese pancakes, impossibly soft and tall, have become an Instagram favourite, while other treats like fish-shaped taiyaki filled with ice cream or red bean and bear-shaped mochi are loved by everyone who visits.
This one’s all about food as playful competition, with bright colours, cutesy plating, and lots of sushi—and we’re not complaining!
Address: Second Floor, Jio World Drive, Unit No. S-03, CTS No. 629 (Part, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12 pm–12 am)
Price for two: INR 2,000
Dough and Joe
If you grew up on American chick-flicks and the best of Hollywood classics, you know a classic American diner when you see one. And if you’ve been searching one SLIGHTLY closer to home—ideally without the visa and trip to the United States —look no further!
Dough & Joe is arguably one of Mumbai’s only true diner-like spaces—a neighbourhood hangout where the food, the coffee, and the interiors all feel designed for something straight out of the ‘80s, full of bright reds, blues, checks, and analogue everything. There’s even an old TV set right when you enter, perfect for those retro fit-checks you might want to take right away!
As for the ambience, Dough & Joe mirrors Studio 6158’s vintage Italian palette, complete with red-blue accents, and an open kitchen where you can watch dough being shaped and pizzas being fired. Bonus: there’s even a Vespa perched on the terrace! The space and mood form part of the experience here.
As far as food is concerned, Dough & Joe is built around hand-crafted, slow-fermented pizzas and a thoughtful coffee programme—the combination of champions, right?
On the pizza front, highlights that keep diners coming back include the Thecha Prawns Pizza, with its spicy kick, and the Bombay Kheema Pizza, which marries street-style flavours with a blistered, airy base. Vegetarians aren’t left out either: the Garden Feast Pizza nods to fresh produce. As for small plates, ghee roast ravioli, dosa batter onion rings, and mozzerella cheese sticks are absolutely delicious. On the coffee front, signature cups like Joe’s Special Vietnamese, the Nutella Iced Latte, and the colourful Butterfly Lychee Matcha are just experimental but classic enough.
So, if you’ve been looking for a reason to throw it back to the ‘80s, this is just the motivation you needed!
Address: Khan House, 301, Hill Rd, Ranwar, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12 pm–12:30 am)
Price for two: INR 1,300
Jio Drive-In Theatre
The Jio Drive-in Theatre at Jio World Drive in BLKC turns an ordinary movie into an unforgettable experience. This rooftop drive-in cinema—one of the first of its kind in India—lets you watch films on a huge open-air screen from the comfort of your car, complete with modern projection and sound sent straight to your car’s FM radio.
The Jio Drive-in is unique not just for its movies, but for how you watch them. You park your car in a row—sedans in front, SUVs in the back for better views—tune in to the FM frequency for sound, and decide if you want to stay inside or step out onto the artificial grass between the rows. Bring pillows and blankets to make it as cosy as possible. Watching under the open sky, surrounded by city lights, feels much more romantic and memorable than a regular theatre.
Food is, of course, part of the fun! While you’re watching, you can order from the food trucks and concession stands dotted around the venue. On the menu, there’s everything from popcorn and pizza to nachos, sandwiches, and even themed truck specials. My personal favourite is their chicken burgers, onion rings, and mayo dip. The staff will bring orders right to your car if you want to stay parked and comfortable.
Watching a movie here feels like a trip down nostalgia lane, a vintage drive-in with a modern twist, which is precisely what makes this such a great experience.
Address: Jio World Drive, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051
Timings: Monday to Sunday (6 pm onwards)
Price for two: INR 4,000
Ishaara
At its core, Ishaara is built on a sign-and-dine concept: people with hearing and speech impairments serve as the restaurant’s staff, and you interact with them through sign language and gestures, turning the act of ordering and eating into something one may not be most accustomed to.
From the moment you step in, the interiors play a major role in shaping the experience. The space—bright, green, and open—feels almost like a botanical retreat within the mall, with lush plants, teak furniture and calming materials. The layout is deliberately unobstructed, upholstering a biophilic design and making communication across the table easier for both guests and staff.
The menu at Ishaara leans into modern Indian cuisine with a creative bent, drawing from regional food while giving them a contemporary twist. Favourite starters include street-food-inspired dishes such as sweet potato and beetroot chaat and crunchy lotus root koftas. At the same time, mains span comforting favourites such as paneer makhani, dal haveli, and even Thalappakatti biryani (a fragrant South Indian rice dish).
The dal kachori with kadhi, served with chutneys, is a standout appetiser, and classics like palak paneer kofta and pav bhaji also come highly recommended. On the sweeter side, desserts like rasmalai tres leches and filter coffee panna cotta are the perfect way to end the meal!
What truly distinguishes Ishaara from an average dinner out is how the dining feels purposeful. Conversations begin with a smile and a gesture, and even if you don’t know sign language, the menus include simple illustrations to help you communicate your choices. That challenge makes a dinner here feel more like a meaningful interaction than a routine meal.
Address: Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12 pm–12 am)
Price for two: INR 2,500
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