5 striking restaurants in India where minimalism is anything but boring

For these restaurants in India, the key to success is in the details. Subdued colours, greenery, quirky and nature-inspired elements give minimalism a much-needed refreshing definition.

Mokai In Bandra, A Coffee Shop With Cute Japanese Minimalism

Mokai emerges as a refreshing change in a restaurant landscape increasingly dominated by overly thematic renderings of different cultures and forced Instagram moments. For Karreena Bulchandani, with years of life in Southeast Asia shaping her vision, authenticity infuses every aspect of the space, from the thoughtfully designed interiors to the inspired cuisine. As it stands, Mokai brings the best of Asia’s cafe culture to the city.

Designed by Studio 6158, Mokai’s interiors beautifully encapsulate the essence of Japanese minimalism. This design philosophy manifests in a seamless meld of simplicity and sophistication, perfectly aligning with the spirit of Mokai’s culinary offerings. The space radiates warmth, with wooden walls and soft, curved edges that ease the ambiance, encouraging guests to relax and indulge. A palette of muted earthy browns enhances the café’s focus on coffee. Every Zen detail is carefully considered, and then contrasted with bold interjections of maximalist Harajuku aesthetics that echo Tokyo’s dynamic street culture, alongside elements of Indian and Japanese art, and ube-pink accents throughout. – Nuriyah Johar

Grumps In Goa, A 100-Year-Old Outhouse-Turned-Bar With Rustic Design

Exposed laterite walls. Mangalore tiled roofs. A facade from the early 1900s. To have a drink at Grumps, an outhouse-turned-bar in Goa nestled in the picturesque hamlet of Sangolda, is to go back a hundred years or more. And though architect Rochelle Santimano of Goa-based Studio Praia masterminded the restoration—and transformation—of said century-old structure, she takes no responsibility for its century-old air, which, in her professional opinion, came down to the perfectly time-worn bones.

In a bid to turn back the clock, Santimano and her team kept the decor for this biophilic bar in Goa to a bare minimum, sourcing the little they did from local artisans and antique stores. “We wanted the material palette, the trees and plants, the furniture and lights to speak for themselves,” she avers. Her words ring true in the floors and walls, an earthy tapestry of cement oxide, terrazzo, Kota, laterite and wood that together hold a mirror to the laterite stone facade, untouched since the early 1900s. For the interior, the architects espoused a similar approach, refinishing the unplastered laterite walls in charcoal black paint, cladding the floor in grey cement oxide, and emblazoning the terrazzo bar counter with glass chips from recycled bottles. – Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar

Rü In Hyderabad, A New Restaurant That Merges With Natural Surroundings

Ancient boulders rising from the dining room, an earthy colour palette, undone walls, and cosy hygge lighting add to overall aesthetic. “The restaurant is an ode to traditional Indian cuisine and Indian heritage in food. So the space had to reflect that without looking like a heritage structure,” explains Sarah Sham, principal designer at Essajees Atelier, the firm responsible for the interiors of the restaurant.

The contour level planning, architecture, and elevation design was the brain child of the designers Mithul Sanghi and Disha Bhansali of The Linespace Studio. Architecture firm Lengths Group was brought on board as technical advisors, and played a crucial role in the execution. Together they devised a novel architectural approach, retaining the boulders within the design, cleverly integrating it into the building’s structure. They used grey cement brick topped with lime plaster, to give a ruined effect. The internal staircase, elegantly wrapping around the boulder, adds to the natural charm of the restaurant. Without disrupting the natural topography, they managed to create a space that exists within the context of its spectacular location. The result is a restaurant that looks like it is rising from the ruins, from an ancient undiscovered space. – Nivedita Jayaram Pawar

The Earthy Woven Café In Pune, A Vegetarian Eatery With An Earthy Colour Palette

Spread over 5,100 square feet over two levels, The Earthy Woven Café has been designed by Suhani Lal Sanghra, principal architect, Sparc Design using hues of beige and light wood with splashes of saffron orange and green from the foliage.

The architect team decided on a neutral and earthy theme with cane, wicker, and clay to match the vegetarian food concept. “The orange pop of colour has been used keeping in mind its relevance to the context often associated with warmth and comfort, thereby enhancing the overall experience. Orange is known to stimulate the senses and increase appetite; it also helps with branding and a strong visual recall,” says Sanghra.

Every selection made was a thoughtful choice, carefully considering how each piece would enhance the overall aesthetic. All the planters have been customised using terracotta finishes. “The earthen clay ware we acquired from the local potter’s market exudes a sense of warmth and earthiness, imparting a rustic charm to our restaurant. The organic textures and natural hues of the pottery contribute to an inviting and comforting atmosphere, inviting guests to immerse themselves in a sensory dining experience,” says Sanghra. – Bindu Gopal Rao

Mag St. In Bandra, A Cafe-Restaurant That Takes You Back To The 90s

When Mag St., the celebrated culinary venture by Gauri Devidayal and Jay Yousuf, known for its casual and comforting dining experiences debuted in the foodie neighbourhood of Bandra, the promise was to bring the same irresistible blend of great food and ambience to the Northern tip of the sea link. Graduating from just a neighbourhood cafe to a full-fledged restaurant, with an expansive bar setup (shedding the moniker of a ‘Cafe’ to emerge as the more sophisticated ‘Mag St.’) required a grown-up décor to match this vibe.

Enter, Anand Patel, an architect whose flair and precision was ad idem with the owners. “We picked Anand because we love his aesthetic and design sensibility. He’s the man behind Mag St. Kitchen, Byculla and also our home, so we trust his eye. The brief was a clean and chic look using ample natural light and simple materials (like IPS and wood). Most importantly, every space had to be warm and inviting,” says Gauri Devidayal. – Fareeda Kanga