Calling all the vegetarians in the house! It's time to rejoice because we've got your back once again, with an all-new city recommendation.

So, prepare to be tantalised by the offerings of Dubai-based Avatara - the world's first and only vegetarian Michelin-star restaurant, now serving at Mumbai’s Santacruz. Now foodies, if you love devouring remastered Indian delights as much as we do, keep reading!

Avatara's Mumbai operations are being managed by Maharashtrian Chef Sanket Joshi, who brings influences from the state to the plate. The 14-course fixed menu here, similar to the Dubai outlet, features some of the most disparate fare. Don’t be surprised when you see that there's no sign of onion, garlic, mushroom or paneer on the menu, as the restaurant borrows its principles from Sattvic cooking.

From kebabs made of turnips to wafer-thin dosa filled with karela, jackfruit momos in a seabuckthorn thukpa to Kashmiri Kahwa Kombucha, dishes at here do sound bizarre but compensate with unmatched taste. At Avatara, Shin Chan might even fall in love with shimla mirch!

Helmed in the Emirates by Uttarakhand-bred Chef Rahul Rana, Avatara bagged a Michelin star within a year of its opening in 2022. It is also the first modern all-vegetarian Indian Restaurant that features on Dubai’s list of Michelin-starred big hitters.

Different from the one in Dubai, the interiors at the Santacruz Avatara outlet pay homage to the chef’s hometown, Uttarakhand, with cool blue swirls on the walls and sand colours on the floor channelling the spirit of the Ganges.

Even though it’s fine dining, little heavy on the pocket, the hearty comfort food will be worth your money. Follow Avatara’s Instagram handle for more details. 

Cost for one: ₹4500 + taxes

When: Lunch 12 noon - 4 pm | Dinner 7 pm - 11 pm

Where: 7th floor, Krishna Curve Building, Juhu Tara Road, Hasmukh Nagar, Santacruz West