India’s Love Affair with Intimate Dining
With boutique restaurants and pop-ups offering tailored experiences and a diverse range of small-plate menus, intimate dining is stealing the spotlight in India’s culinary scene.
Gone are the days of elbowing your way through crowded restaurants and shouting over the din just to place an order. Now, it has all become about cozy corners, dim lighting, and dining experiences that feel like you’ve been invited to a secret culinary club. Intimate dining is the new darling of India’s food scene, and it’s giving food enthusiasts the chance to escape the chaos of bustling eateries in favour of something a lot more serene.
Whether you’re planning a romantic date, celebrating something special, or simply want to enjoy a meal without noise, these intimate spots deliver. With a significantly smaller number of guests, chefs can pay attention to every dish and guests can expect to be treated like royalty. Ready to check out the best of the best? Here are a few standout establishments that are redefining dining.
House of Málà - Sichuan Supper Club
What started as a little passion project for sisters Saloni and Prachi Gupta has now grown into one of Mumbai's hottest dining experiences. House of Málà, their all-vegetarian supper club, kicked off with a few tables for friends and family, but the rave reviews poured in faster than the chili oil. Soon enough, they opened their Khar home to a hungry crowd of food enthusiasts, and this once-weekly affair is now one of the most sought-after community dining spots. These self-taught culinary queens now host eight tables from Thursday to Sunday, including weekend lunch sessions. Guests are treated to a five-course feast, and just when you think things can't get spicier, out comes a game of Liar’s Dice – a classic Chinese bluffing game. Not only does it help break the ice, but it adds an extra layer of authenticity to the Sichuan experience.
Gormei
Launched in 2017 by entrepreneur Argha Sen, Gormei is like your backstage pass to intimate and immersive dining experiences across India and Southeast Asia. As one of the first to tap into India’s craving for smaller, bespoke dining, Gormei dishes up extraordinary culinary moments by teaming up with top chefs and restaurants. Their specialty? Shining a spotlight on regional cuisines—the true hidden gems of India. From Awadhi to Oriya and Himachali, Gormei serves up a feast of flavours that is as diverse as it is delicious. Whether it’s a pop-up dinner or a private feast, every event feels like a culinary journey with stories behind every dish.
SALON Colaba
Salon Colaba, the brainchild of Renjie Wong, is Mumbai’s go-to for a taste of Singapore without the jet lag. Hosted in the cozy embrace of his home, this supper club is less about a rigid menu and more about a seasonal adventure dictated by the freshest produce from Renjie’s organic farm pals. Picture this: a mouthwatering lineup that might include thunder tea rice, tiger prawn bisque with heirloom tomatoes, fried tofu skin rolls, steamed spiny rock lobster, and Chinese five-spice braised buff shank. But it’s not just the food that dazzles. Salon Colaba doubles as a gallery and Renjie doesn’t just cook; he turns his dinners into a feast for all senses, with local artists adding a splash of colour to the evening. If you’re itching for a Singaporean culinary getaway, Salon Colaba is your ticket to flavour town.
The Masque Lab
Originally an R&D playground, the Masque Lab has now opened its doors to diners craving an exclusive Masque experience. With just 12 seats arranged around the kitchen, you'll be up close and personal with the culinary magic, catching a behind-the-scenes glimpse of their wild experiments before they make it to the tasting menu. It's not just a dinner; it’s a front-row seat to the gastronomic lab where your meal contributes to their ongoing research. Prepare for a memorable evening where your taste buds play a part in shaping the future of fine dining.
