Celebrity-owned restaurants across India you should put on your must-visit list

From cookbooks written by stars to food brands owned by them, the culinary world is no stranger to the celeb-effect, and that is evident in India’s restaurant scene as well. Plush eateries by who’s who of the film industry and the cricket fraternity have cropped up in metros like Mumbai and Delhi in recent years. So, if you’re looking for a unique experience on your next meal out or just want to dine at your favourite celeb-owned restaurant, we’ve rounded up five from across the country. 

Karan Johar's Neuma

Mumbai
One of the newer ones on the list, Neuma, co-founded by filmmaker Karan Johar is housed in a converted colonial-era bungalow on Mandlik Road in South Mumbai’s Colaba. The interiors, conceptualised by architect Ashiesh Shah, lay emphasis on a laid-back atmosphere—there are ample black and white tiles, larger-than-life plants, and white moulded panels that add to the beachy aesthetics. The food too, is a fun take on traditional European fare with local produce as the star. If you follow a plant-based lifestyle, their elaborate vegan menu is not to be missed. 

Shilpa Shetty's Bastian
 

Mumbai
One of the city’s most celeb-frequented restaurants, Bastian, is helmed by Shilpa Shetty—while it was launched in 2016, the actor took over the place in 2020, after acquiring a 50 per cent stake in its hospitality group. Expect a mix of American comfort food like breakfast tacos, butter-poached lobster, mud crabs, along with a decadent dessert menu that puts the spotlight on cheesecakes. The easy-going vibe is reflected in the interiors of Bastian—think a beige and cream colour scheme and elegant wooden furniture. 

Virat Kohli's One8 Commune

Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune 
Virat Kohli’s culinary venture, One8 Commune, which has outposts in four cities, is all about serving up a mix of Indian classics along with global favourites in chic and casual resto-bar setting. The menu features healthy sides and salads in ‘Virat’s favourites’ section, in line with the cricketer’s sports lifestyle, but there are also plenty of indulgent options like cheese-laden egg toasts and mutton curry, which you can pick from.  

Rohit Bal's Veda

Delhi
If one was to describe Veda in one word, it would be opulence. Designed and co-owned by Indian fashion designer Rohit Bal, the restaurant’s aesthetics reflect his unmistakable style—from brightly-painted brick walls to ornate crystal chandeliers and old-world mirrors. The food is as lavish as the architecture—dig into rich North-Indian and Mughlai dishes like raan, kakori kebabs and chicken kali mirch. If you want to feel like royalty on your next meal out, then Veda is the place to book a reservation at. 

Badshah's Dragonfly Experience

Mumbai and Delhi
Singer and rapper Badshah is another celebrity who has dipped his toes in the culinary world with his upscale resto-bar Dragonfly Experience in Mumbai and Delhi that he co-owns with Priyank Sukhija. Keeping the name in mind, the 8,000 sq. ft. space is done up in eccentric dragonfly décor. Sip on custom cocktails at the floor-to-ceiling bar or pick your favourites from the pan-Asian menu that spans tempura basket, sushi, grilled meats, and baos.

Lead image: Neuma/Instagram