5 wholesome, healthy restaurants in Mumbai for the new you in the new year

It could be your eighth attempt at rectifying the diet, a loud proclamation swearing into a Dry January or a quiet promise to yourself to be more mindful, grateful, healthful, etc—scrunch your face as you may at new-year resolutions, in the privacy of our homes we all fall into the ‘new-year, new-you’ trope. And we’re saying: there’s no shame in it. In fact, we’re going further to say, look, if you want to steer clear from alcoholic bevvies; need a corner to journal in (away from judgemental stares); in dire need of a spot that doesn’t derail your salad-a-day plan, nor the weekly brunch with girls: there’s a place for it. It’s Maximum City, after all, and there are a dime a dozen wholesome and healthy restaurants in Mumbai to help you stick to your guns this month. From posh spaces in South Bombay to ocean-front café deep into Andheri, healthy restaurants in Mumbai, or at least, produce and provenance-focussed ones are a nifty way to continue indulging as you tide through this giant hump of a month. The best part? They come with gorgeously calming interiors to put you in the January state of mind.

Araku Restaurant, Colaba

Tucked in a lane behind the majestic Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai’s Colaba, Araku Restaurant resides inside Sunny House, an iconic building that dates back to 1897. The 2,800 square-feet space designed by New York-based architect Jorge Zapata is a soothing nook offering equally comforting fare—a blue-sky take on everyday ingredients. The interiors come spruced up with interesting elements such as bamboo chandeliers crafted by local artisans from North East India and a wall-mounted 3D render of the terroir of Araku, the lush valley in Andhra Pradesh, where tribal farmers grow this brand’s coffee. It helps create a mood, which along with good-quality produce and wholesome plates is perhaps the nicest spot for you to treat yourself without the burden of guilt.

Zen Cafe, Kala Ghoda

Spread across 1,200 square feet and tucked inside a quiet lane in Mumbai’s loved art district, Kala Ghoda, Zen Cafe is a time-tested favourite offering good food and respite from the city’s din. Brought to life by architect Aurnab Biswas, Zen Cafe chalks up as a rather tranquil haven with cohesive interior design that blends industrial-chic with mid-century modern and organic elements. Think, exposed structural elements like metal staircases and beams, contrasting with warm wood and a neutral colour palette of grays, whites, and muted greens juxtaposed with strategically placed large plants that bring nature indoors. Nestle into the SoBo favourite with a pick of your choice from their global, plant-based menu.

Santé Spa Cuisine, Girgaum

A clean eating chain with multiple outlets within Mumbai and yonder, Santé Spa Cuisine’s last outtake inside Royal Opera House, Girgaum, provides an idyllic backdrop to Sattvic food that focuses on ancient cooking techniques like grilling and roasting to uplift everyday ingredients, grains, and millets. The interiors, conceived by DesignWorx’s Prachi Joshi, balance clean architectural lines with organic materials. An outdoor dining area punctuated with verdant foliage and a tranquil Buddha sculpture come together to create a peaceful culinary retreat for you to practice your January mindfulness in—be it via a journal or to meditate over a plate.

Shelter, Versova

As the name suggests, Shelter is a restorative escape amid the thumping foodscape of Versova. Tuck into healthful smoothie bowls, salads, and wood-fired sourdough pizzas within the warm and connected confines of the café designed by Lila Sarin. From a live pizza counter and bakery to a Library Café on the second-floor, Shelter provides multiple nooks for you to cosy up in with terracotta flooring, boulder columns, arched windows, cane shading, lush greenery, and ocean views coming together to offer a secluded, fabric-draped space, where you can devour a book or a wholesome bowl—as you please.

Brunch & Cake, Worli

Adding to the list of healthy restaurants in Mumbai is Brunch & Cake in Worli. Born in Barcelona, Spain, Brunch & Cake is an international chain with 19 outlets across the world, including its latest at Worli, Mumbai. The menu is a flamboyant take on classics with a smattering of health-first dishes—like avo toasts, sandwiches, and scramble—made heartier. The 2,700 square-foot restaurant designed by Pavithra Datta and Nihar Bandaru of Ether & Sol Design House extends B&C’s signature aesthetic with the help of soft, pastel hues, warm wooden accents, textural play afforded by woven wicker and soft linen fabrics, a touch of terrazzo to add delight, alongside statement lighting sourced from Valencia’s Peralta Vidavi Illuminacion family. These work together to devise a charming and warm atmosphere that is ideal for catch-ups with friends who are as committed to doing January as you.

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