Adelina, an Italian reverie in Mumbai

A novel restaurant in Bandra where art and flavour perform in a palatable synchrony

21 Apr 2026

European escapades are enigmatic to say the least. Imagine entering a colossal villa in an idyllic setting, where the quietude of its warm interiors speaks the loudest. Where a long table stamps the space like a shared stage, extending a princely reception to the guests and their hours-long chatter. Back in India, a new restaurant in Mumbai stirs up this feeling of wonder, whimsy and warmth, arriving not merely as a place, but as a presence, conceptualised by Tejal Mathur Design.

Founded by sisters Harshita Bhatia and Ankita Bhatia, there’s something inherently cinematic about the restaurant, evoking a feeling that if Bandra had a casting call, Adelina would walk in like the lead — resplendent, composed with a dramatic poise. Located in the heart of Bandra, Adelina unravels such that it turns every corner into a moment. Just like a freshly made Carbonara, arches on the ceiling and the furniture curve with precision, while the stately presence of the wood-fired oven echoes in the ambient glow that settles across the room.

Pentimento and pizza

Sprawling over 6,000 sq ft, the restaurant’s interiors emerge as a meticulously orchestrated composition. Light hovers in an amber glow; always burnished, drawing attention to textures that feel tactile and atmospheric.

Within its design, the portraits manifest not only on the walls, but also on cushions, backrest and furniture as compelling interlocutors. Classical references are reimagined with a playful, almost subversive wit. A Renaissance-style visage, poised and contemplative, finds itself interrupted by a sly gesture: a pencil held across the lips, collapsing the distance between canonical masterpiece and contemporary wit. A Vermeer-esque figure, composed in domesticity, is recast with an anachronistic flourish, mid-bite into a slice of pizza. These artworks playfully reframe the sanctity of art history through parody and recontextualisation, representing the dichotomy of reverence and levity.

Spatial cadence and gathering

The spatial planning moves in a measured manner, accommodating up to 120 seaters with a contemporary European dining sensibility. Intimate booth seating is embedded within the larger dining floor, while a private dining room (PDR) offers a more secluded setting for intimate and larger gatherings. A dedicated lounge further extends this sequence, providing a setting for relaxed and celebratory moments. Anchoring this composition is the wood-fired oven, an ever-present source of warmth that brings a sense of authenticity to the spatial experience.

Menu in parallel

The dishes follow the same rhythm, measured yet layered. Handmade pastas such as the Gigli Arrabbiata and the Pappardelle Verde arrive with a balance of structure and suppleness, while wood-fired preparations introduce a subdued smokiness that never overwhelms. Flavours feel composed, each element distinct, yet part of a cohesive whole. Even the cocktails echo this sensibility, where familiar notes are perfectly calibrated. Art, light, objects and recipes on the table, a beguiling thread of wonder indeed hems the space together, letting you soak in its details as time goes by.