Picture Bangkok’s electric hustle hugging the chaotic charm of Mumbai’s Bandra, and you’ve landed smack in the middle of Banng, the city’s boldest new culinary spark. Co-founded by two culinary luminaries, Chef Garima Arora with her Michelin star prowess and Riyaaz Amlani, the man who’s practically redefined Mumbai’s dining scene, this two-level labyrinth of flavours feels like a love letter written in lime, chilli and coconut cream.
Walking into Banng, you can’t help but notice the playful paradox: downstairs, the vibe screams ‘street carnival’ with swing bar seats and slushy vodka cocktails spiked with peppery zing. Upstairs, it’s gloriously sultry, a dim-lit affair with curries that linger on the palate like an old flame. If food is fashion, Banng’s got the range, from ‘street snacks chic’ to ‘high curry couture.’ The Tom Kha Paani Puri is the edible equivalent of an unexpected Instagram DM, it surprises, delights, and leaves you wondering how you ever lived without it. The Seabass Ceviche is a tropical symphony, lime-zinged and chilli sungand the Gaeng Grob curry somehow balances pineapple, okra and crispy potato in a dance that’s both comforting and edgy.
Even the bar snacks flex Garima’s genius with the likes of spicy cheese cigar rolls inspired by Thailand’s infamous convenience store treats. Wash it all down with the Sabai Sundowner, a fruit-forward cocktail with rambutan that’s as silky as a Bandra breeze.
Honestly, Banng isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a cultural collision you won’t want to miss. And me? I’m already making plans for round two, because once you taste a tropical roar like Banng, you’ll crave the chaos.
