Pomodoro
I recently visited this tiny, hole-in-the-wall eatery in Bandra and was absolutely stumped by the authentic and delicious Italian food they’re serving with each piping hot plate.
It’s cosy, intimate, softly lit, and instantly comforting—the kind of place where the aroma of tomatoes simmering in olive oil greets you before the menu does. There’s nothing overly fussy or performative here. Pomodoro works because it understands the assignment: simple, honest Italian food made with warmth and soul. Their omakase-style seating right in front of the open kitchen is especially unique, and gives you a look into what goes on behind the scenes of the plate in front of you.
The pastas are obviously the stars of the show—perfectly al dente, sauced with restraint, and bursting with flavour. Their classic Pomodoro pasta is beloved for a reason: fresh tomatoes cooked down into a velvety sauce, a whisper of garlic, good olive oil, a hit of basil, and absolutely nothing else getting in the way. It was extremely spicy—perfect for spice lovers like me—and absolutely finger-licking. The aglio e olio packs just the right amount of heat, and the gnocchi, pillowy and delicate, feel like little clouds lifted straight out of an Italian nonna’s kitchen.
And of course, no Pomodoro meal is complete without their house tiramisu; effortlessly light and just boozy enough to make you smile. Served from a huge container right onto your plates, it’s fresh, creamy, and perfect.
Pomodoro is not trying to reinvent Italian cuisine or impress with theatrics. Instead, it nails the classics with sincerity.
Address: Shop No. 2, Kalpitam Building, 16th Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday (12–4 pm, 6:30–11:30 pm)
Price for two: INR 2,000
Gustoso
Walking into Gustoso feels like stepping into a cosy little trattoria somewhere in Naples. The interiors feature a wood-fired oven, warm lighting, and the kind of relaxed buzz that makes you want to settle in and devour a red wine. The place is known for its Neapolitan-style pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven, and the crusts deliver: thin yet chewy, lightly charred at the edges, and just the right kind of soft inside, crisp outside.
But Gustoso isn’t just about pizza. Their pasta and mains pull their weight too. Start with a creamy, indulgent tagliolini that is flamed in a cheese wheel. Find yourself addicted! Lasagne alla funghi or a tomato-rich spaghetti arrabbiata are two other highlights from the pasta selection.
For meat-lovers or pescatarians, if you want something substantial beyond dough and cheese, dishes like seared salmon, tiger prawns in white-wine garlic tomato sauce, or fillet steak add a luxe touch.
Desserts—yes, you MUST save space for them. The tiramisu at Gustoso is widely talked about and famous all across the city: espresso-soaked ladyfingers, creamy mascarpone, just the right cocoa dusting to finish. It’s the kind of classic no-frills dessert that reminds you why Italian desserts age so well across continents.
And if you’re in the mood for variety, they offer gelato, panna cotta, and other treats that wrap up the meal on a sweet, walnut-shell crunch note!
Address: Plot 109, Kwality House, August Kranti Marg, Bridge, below Kemps Corner, Grant Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400026
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12–3 pm, 7–11:30 pm)
Price for two: INR 3,000
CinCin
There’s something about CinCin that instantly switches you into vacation mode. Maybe it’s the lime-themed decor, the whimsical terrazzo floors, or the open, bustling bar that feels straight out of a chic Venetian bacaro.
This is the kind of place where you walk in intending to just grab a Negroni and end up staying for a full Italian feast because everything smells (and looks) too good to resist. The menu is curated to devour. Fresh, bright, and unapologetically carb-forward, the way Italian food is and should be.
Start with their small plates—the burrata with cherry tomatoes and basil pesto is a creamy and refreshing crowd-pleaser.
And then, of course, their pasta. I love the pasta in vodka sauce, tossed with just the right heat, the velvety truffle tagliatelle that has its own cult following; and the pappardelle lamb ragù, slow-cooked and deeply savoury, which feels like a hug in a bowl on any day of the week. Their wood-fired pizzas, especially the CinCin special with pancetta and egg, are a much-loved.
The vibes here play a huge role in why I keep going back—warm lighting, lively chatter, music that’s upbeat but not overwhelming. Pair your meal with one of their signature cocktails (the CinCin Spritzer is practically a personality at this point), or pick from their well-curated wine list if you want the full dolce vita experience.
Address: Raheja Tower, G Block BKC, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12 pm–1 am)
Price for two: INR 3,200
Americano
Walking into Americano—tucked away in the arty lanes of Kala Ghoda—feels like stepping into a stylish, relaxed oasis built for good food, drinks, and company. The restaurant occupies an airy space with 20-foot ceilings, large windows and a warm, understated decor that blends polished wood, exposed brick, and a cosy bar nook.
What makes Americano stand out is its mix of creative cuisine and a cocktail program that’s crafted with care. Helmed by Chef Alex Sanchez, the kitchen delivers dishes that balance global influences with local flavours and seasonal produce.
Some of their standout dishes include the truffle mushroom pizza, black truffle cappelletti, and peachy Pomodoro pasta. Their tiramisu is especially revered and loved by Mumbaikers, ranked amongst the top 5 in all of the city.
On the drinks side, the bar programme uses house-made tinctures, vermouths and in-house infusions to elevate cocktails beyond the ordinary, making Americano as much a bar as it is a restaurant. The vibe is breezy yet polished—low-lighting, a busy but relaxed energy, and a crowd that leans towards people who appreciate good food and drinks without needing everything to be formal. Whether you come for a date night, dinner with friends, or just a solo drink at the bar, Americano feels special and unpretentious.
Address: Radha Bhavan, 121/123, Nagindas Master Rd, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
Timings: Wednesday to Friday (7 pm–1 am), Saturday & Sunday (12–4 pm, 7 pm–1 am)
Price for two: INR 3,000
Cecconi’s
Walking into Cecconi’s Mumbai feels like you’ve stepped into a slice of coastal-Italian calm, right by the Arabian Sea. The restaurant, housed in Soho House Mumbai on Juhu Tara Road, gives you the irresistible bonus of sea breezes and beach views—perfect when you manage to snag a table on the patio.
The menu is firmly rooted in Northern Italian flavours. Think handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood, and classic cicchetti. Some standout choices: their handmade pasta and sauces, pizzas fired just right, fresh seafood dishes, and a well-rounded selection of cicchetti and antipasti that set the tone before the main course.
What works especially well is the blend of ambience and versatility. Whether it’s a relaxed lunch, a brunch with friends, or a romantic dinner at sunset, Cecconi’s seems to adapt. The vibe is breezy yet polished: wood-fired ovens, open interiors, soft lighting, and that beachside air make it feel like a mini escape from the city grind.
Their Sunday brunch is especially popular for being one of the best in town, while their bar serves some of the most delicious cocktails as well. So, if you want a mini-vacation close to home, Cecconi’s is the place to be!
Address: Soho House Mumbai, 16, Juhu Tara Rd, Chandrabai Nagar, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12 pm–1 am)
Price for two: INR 3,500
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