Inside SoBo 20: Mumbai’s Chicest New Franco-American Restaurant for New Orleans-Style Dining

Creole, Cajun, and Cocktails: SoBo 20 Brings New Orleans Vibes to South Bombay

It begins, as the finest experiences do, with quiet intrigue.

A striking wall installation—jazz instruments suspended mid-motion, lacquered in burnished gold, arranged like a slow, sensual riff frozen in time. Trumpets and saxophones form a sculptural melody that whispers of Bourbon Street and late-night quartets. It’s not just décor—it’s an overture.

Once seated, the composition unfolds with quiet precision. On a blue-and-white porcelain plate rests a linen napkin, its embroidery depicting a pelican in a beret, pipe poised between its beak—glancing at you with the leisurely grace of the French Riviera and a wink of Southern American charm.

You are not in Paris. Nor are you in New Orleans. And yet, when the menu is presented—its pages murmuring of gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée, Cajun and Creole—you are transported to a culinary rendezvous where French elegance once met Southern heat. A rare dialect of flavour, reborn now on the Arabian Sea.

This is SoBo 20—South Bombay’s most confident new opening, tucked into the InterContinental Marine Drive like a secret. The address is storied. The mood, dusky and deliberate—a Franco-American restaurnt that pays homage to a fleeting, fascinating moment in culinary history, when refined French technique took root in the soulful kitchens of the American South.

But SoBo 20 is no pastiche. It is a love letter written in layered textures and slow, unfolding notes—where tradition is respected, but not repeated. The interiors hum with Art Deco geometry and vintage Americana, but Mumbai’s coastal vitality courses through it all like a hidden bassline.

And the pelican? A subtle nod to Louisiana’s state bird, perhaps—but with that beret and knowing gaze, he’s practically declaring “Laissez les bons temps rouler”—the spirited New Orleans pharse that invites you to let the good times roll.

The Food – A Culinary Passage from the Bayou to the Bay

At SoBo 20, dining is more than a meal—it’s a journey. One that begins centuries ago, when French culinary traditions crossed oceans and found soulful harmony with the bold flavours of the American South.

Set along Mumbai’s glittering Marine Drive, SoBo 20 brings the refined elegance of Creole and the rustic warmth of Cajun cuisine into a contemporary spotlight. These aren’t just dishes—they’re edible heirlooms. Creole draws from French, Spanish, African, and Native American roots, unfolding in rich, aromatic layers like a slow jazz melody. Cajun, by contrast, speaks in a heartier tone—robust, earthy, and built on the classic “holy trinity” of celery, onion, and bell pepper, anchoring stews and rice dishes with unpretentious depth.

Here, tradition isn’t mimicked—it’s artfully reimagined. Each plate is a dialogue between past and present, familiar yet intriguing, bold yet composed.

Take the gumbo, traditionally a simmering seafood stew, is reinterpreted as an umami-rich fried rice, speckled with okra and smoky andouille sausage. The Muffuletta—a legendary New Orleans sandwich known for its unapologetic excess. Here, it arrives as a refined bar toastie, compact yet rich with Provalone, veggies, and giardiniera.

Other standout dishes include the Jambalaya Fritto Misto—a medley of seafood, okra, and fennel dusted with jambalaya spice, paired with a tangy fermented rice dip; the indulgent Penne alla Vodka, enriched with creamy vodka sauce, parmesan, and slices of smoky andouille sausage; the Creole-Spiced Lamb Chops, perfectly charred and full of depth; and the irresistibly crisp Louisiana Fried Chicken Burger, delivering Southern comfort with a gourmet twist.

Even the plant-based dishes show flair. The Verte Salad is a study in contrast—crisp garden vegetables and candied walnuts, layered with citrus gelée and crowned with delicate pea shoots and pine nuts. It’s textural, fresh, and unexpectedly elegant.

Then there are the desserts, which flirt with decadence. Burrata is spun into ice cream and a standout: the crème brûlée-filled ginger beignet, topped with a whisper of Ossetra caviar. For purists, there’s the SoBo Chocolate Pâté—a heady blend of 70% Valrhona dark chocolate and bourbon whiskey, smooth, rich, and unapologetically bold.

Executive Chef Sudeep Kashikar curates a menu that bridges continents and cultures: French classics are reimagined through the lens of American soul, while Southern staples are elevated with technique worthy of fine dining. Mumbai’s coastal rhythm threads its way through the dishes like a subtle backbeat, adding unexpected brightness. This isn’t comfort food in couture. It’s heritage, refined and reimagined for the discerning palate—with a knowing wink and just the right touch of New Orleans swagger.

The Drinks: A Spirited Dialogue Across Continents

The beverage program at SoBo 20 is as cosmopolitan as its cuisine—an elegant continuation of the cross-continental narrative. Curated by acclaimed mixologist Supradeep Dey of Atelier House, the selection balances old-world charm with modern indulgence. Expect a wine list that gracefully journeys from the vineyards of Bordeaux to the sun-soaked hills of Napa, and cocktails that nod to both Left Bank cafés and smoky New Orleans jazz lounges.

The signature cocktail menu reads like a love letter to Franco-American mixology, with each drink artfully bridging traditions. The Drawing Room blends the effervescence of a French 75 with the brooding depth of a Manhattan—an unexpected but seamless harmony. The Royal Sazerac is a moody, elegant pour—where deep fruit meets a hint of fire. Inspired by the boldness of a Sazerac and the sparkle of a Kir Royale, this cocktail weaves rye whiskey with sparkling wine and bitters, finished with a rich blackcurrant foam.

Every pour here is thoughtful, layered, and quietly dramatic—a refined toast to two cultures meeting at the bar.

The Team: Where Vision Meets Craft

SoBo 20 is the result of a collaboration that brings together culinary ambition, design artistry, and a shared commitment to cultural storytelling.

“SoBo 20 is built on the premise of creative exchange,” notes Panchali Mahendra, CEO of Atelier House Hospitality. “We’ve created an environment where classic French technique meets American soul, where heritage and innovation share the same plate. It’s a space designed for discovery, relaxed in spirit, yet uncompromising in execution.”

This spirit of innovation is part of a broader evolution for InterContinental Marine Drive, as it embraces a new chapter of experiential luxury. “This partnership introduces a dynamic new narrative to our property,” shares Gaurav Ghai, Promoter of Graviss Group. “SoBo 20 embodies a kind of sophisticated playfulness. A global yet deeply personal approach, which I think is the perfect reflection of contemporary Mumbai.”

The collaboration with Atelier House Hospitality was a deliberate choice, says Romil Ratra, CEO of Graviss Hospitality. “Working with AHH was a natural choice. Atelier House Hospitality understands how to create restaurants that resonate culturally while pushing culinary boundaries. With SoBo 20, we’re offering South Mumbai something original. Where French elegance meets American warmth on the shores of Marine Drive.”

The interiors, envisioned by Essajees Atelier, echo this layered approach. Art Deco symmetry dances with vintage Americana, while the breezy pulse of Mumbai’s coastline anchors the atmosphere. It’s a space that shifts effortlessly from sunlit lunches to candlelit dinners—inviting, stylish, and designed to spark conversation.

At SoBo 20, every detail—on the plate, in the glass, and throughout the space—whispers of thoughtful craft and global imagination. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s a mood, a memory in the making, and a bold new chapter in Mumbai’s culinary story.

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