Malaika Arora’s Scarlett House Serves Up Homegrown Cheese & Family Recipes

This 90-year-old Portuguese bungalow in Pali Hill might be the only restaurant in Mumbai where you can sip on Tuscan wine in an attic reading nook.

With its weathered brick-red exterior and a quartered floor plan that feels more like an extended drawing room than a commercial dining space, Scarlett House has carefully skirted generic labels of cafe, bar, or brunch spot. No breakfast menu at the launch, no expansive coffee section, and no booming night club scene. Not even a contact number for reservations, nor any intention to advertise the place, the restaurant has chosen a far more gentle, laidback approach than people are used to these days. But that hasn’t stopped the two nightly dinner slots from filling up every evening.

As the brainchild of four founders each bringing their own unique strengths to the table,  Scarlett House has covered all ground and arrived in Bandra with the summative confidence of a seasoned host welcoming guests into their home. Malaika Arora’s modest family recipes and conversely star power; her son Arhan Khan and friend Malaya Nagpal’s young instinct for what’s current; and finally, veteran restauranteur Dhaval Udeshi’s wealth of experience—together they make quite the dream team. To sweeten the deal, accompanying the four horsemen are investors and partners Afsana and Amit Verma.

Scarlett House respects and retains the bones of its original structure, layering in warmth and rusticity across two floors. The entryway opens into a cosy dining area with whitewashed walls, distressed wood accents, and vintage décor. Sunlit reading corners are thoughtfully tucked into the space making for a perfect leisurely afternoon haunt.

Atop a creaky wooden staircase, the upper level is attic-inspired, complete with a live sushi station and an intimate cocktail bar. Instead of an open-plan, Scarlett House relies on nooks and crannies so that each table can feel private and homely.

On the ground floor, you will find a Coffee Bar, a Wine and Cheese room, and even a curated retail section. This last addition fits wonderfully into a larger vision of standalone Scarlett Retail kiosks. Here, one can purchase packaged ingredients available on the restaurant’s menu including nut butters, flavoured salts, and sauces. To Udeshi, verticals like these only help to drive home the restaurant’s overall transparency where every item on your plate is one that the owners would proudly sell off the shelf.

The Food

The approach to food here is easy: locally sourced and simply made. The menu, designed by Chef Beena Noronha, transitions through the day. Mornings can begin with a Portuguese-style Egg Skillet or a Hash Brown Benedict, while lunchtime sees the likes of Salmon Mille Feuille layered with jeera khari and Chicken Ghee Roast Wraps.

Evenings however, are the best time to pay a visit. When the lights are dim and the chatter is dimmer. Opt for comfort food with their Indian dishes, particularly with Malla’s Favourites—including her viral Paneer Thecha. You could dabble in fusion with sushis made with indigenous Uttarakhand rice or Madras Sriracha Sauce. Or, go global, with hearty mains like the Miso Butter Fettuccine and the Jowar Luxe Risotto.