Shilpa Shetty’s popular Mumbai restaurant Bastian Bandra is closing its doors permanently after nine successful years in the city’s dining scene. This news has shocked food lovers and nightlife enthusiasts who made the Bandra hotspot their go-to destination since 2016.
For Mumbai foodies, restaurant industry watchers, and fans of celebrity ventures, this closure marks the end of what many considered an iconic chapter in the city’s dining landscape.
We’ll explore what made Bastian Bandra such a beloved Mumbai dining destination over nearly a decade, from its signature dishes like Animal Prawns to its famous Thursday night events. We’ll also dive into the business partnerships and legal challenges that may have influenced this shutdown decision, including the recent fraud allegations surrounding the restaurant’s owners.
Bastian Bandra’s Final Chapter Ends After Nine Successful Years
Bastian Bandra’s Final Chapter Ends After Nine Successful Years
The restaurant’s journey from 2016 launch to September 2024 closure
Bastian Bandra, one of Mumbai’s most iconic nightlife destinations, is closing its doors after an impressive nine-year run since its 2016 launch. The Shilpa Shetty restaurant closure marks the end of an era for this beloved Mumbai restaurant that has been synonymous with the city’s vibrant dining and entertainment scene.
Final celebration event scheduled for September 4th
The restaurant’s final celebration event is scheduled for September 4th, marking the last working day for this celebrity restaurant closure Mumbai. Owners are curating a special evening exclusively for their closest patrons to honor the legendary space one last time, ensuring Bastian Bandra shutdown concludes with the same elegance that defined its nine incredible years of operation.
Impact on Mumbai’s nightlife and dining scene
Bastian restaurant Mumbai has left an indelible mark on the city’s cultural landscape, with Shilpa Shetty acknowledging its role in providing countless memories, unforgettable nights, and moments that shaped Mumbai’s nightlife. Patrons transformed this Bandra dining restaurant into a home filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories, making its closure a significant loss for Mumbai’s fine dining and entertainment ecosystem.
What Made Bastian Bandra a Mumbai Dining Icon
What Made Bastian Bandra a Mumbai Dining Icon
Signature dishes including Animal Prawns and Lobster Bomb
Bastian Bandra established itself as a culinary destination through its exceptional signature dishes that became synonymous with fine dining in Mumbai. The restaurant’s standout offerings, particularly the Animal Prawns and Lobster Bomb, drew food enthusiasts from across the city and cemented its reputation as a must-visit establishment.
Popular comfort foods like Truffle Mac and Cheese and Korean Fried Chicken
Beyond its premium seafood specialties, Bastian Bandra excelled in delivering elevated comfort food that appealed to diverse palates. The Truffle Mac and Cheese became a crowd favorite, perfectly balancing luxury ingredients with familiar flavors. Meanwhile, their Korean Fried Chicken offered a contemporary twist on classic comfort food, attracting younger demographics and food explorers. Other notable dishes included the refined Mongolian Lamb, fresh Burrata Salad, and the health-conscious Avocado Poke, while dessert lovers gravitated toward the signature Mango Pull Me Up Cake.
Weekly Arcane Affair events that defined Thursday nightlife
The restaurant’s cultural impact extended beyond its culinary offerings through the popular weekly Arcane Affair events. These Thursday night gatherings became a defining feature of Bastian Bandra’s identity, transforming the venue into Mumbai’s premier nightlife destination. The events created a unique social atmosphere that combined exceptional dining with entertainment, establishing Thursday nights at Bastian as an integral part of Bandra’s social calendar and contributing significantly to the restaurant’s iconic status in Mumbai’s dining scene.
Business Partnership Behind the Restaurant Success
Business Partnership Behind the Restaurant Success
The Bastian brand’s expansion received significant momentum when Shilpa Shetty partnered with Aallia Hospitality in 2019, marking a strategic collaboration that transformed the restaurant’s business trajectory. This partnership led to the formation of Bastian Hospitality Private Limited (BHPL), creating a robust framework for expanding the brand’s portfolio across Mumbai’s competitive dining landscape. The original foundation was established by Aallia Hospitality Private Limited, founded in 2010 by restaurateur Ranjit Bindra alongside Kinal Jani and Tina Ranjit Bindra, who pioneered the Bastian restaurant chain concept. Their vision materialized when they opened Bastian Bandra in 2016, establishing the restaurant as a premium dining destination. The successful co-ownership model between actress Shilpa Shetty and experienced restaurateur Ranjit Bindra combined celebrity appeal with proven hospitality expertise, contributing significantly to the restaurant’s nine-year run as a Mumbai dining icon.
Legal Troubles Surrounding the Closure Decision
Legal Troubles Surrounding the Closure Decision
Rs 60 crore fraud allegations against Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra
The Bastian restaurant legal troubles intensified when Mumbai businessman Deepak Kothari filed serious fraud allegations against Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra. The couple faces accusations of being involved in a massive ₹60 crore fraud case, which has significantly impacted their business operations and contributed to the restaurant’s closure decision.
Businessman Deepak Kothari’s claims regarding Best Deal TV investment
Kothari’s allegations center around their now-defunct company, Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd, where he claims the couple defrauded him of over ₹60 crore through a loan-cum-investment deal spanning from 2015 to 2023. The businessman specifically alleged that the money was misappropriated for personal expenses rather than legitimate business purposes, creating a complex legal web around Shilpa Shetty business ventures.
Legal defense and NCLT adjudication status
The couple’s legal team, led by lawyer Prashant Patil, has strongly denied all allegations, categorically calling them ‘baseless.’ Their defense highlights that the matter was already adjudicated by the NCLT Mumbai on October 4, 2024, suggesting prior legal resolution. However, the investigation has been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), indicating the serious nature of these Bastian Bandra shutdown contributing factors.
Future Plans for Bastian Brand Continuation
Future Plans for Bastian Brand Continuation
Arcane Affair events moving to Bastian At The Top in Dadar West
Despite the Bastian Bandra closure, the beloved Thursday night tradition Arcane Affair will continue at Bastian At The Top in Dadar West, ensuring loyal patrons can still experience the signature event.
Management’s hints about upcoming special announcements
The management remains optimistic about the brand’s future, stating “This is not goodbye – it is a fresh new beginning. We will be announcing something special very soon,” suggesting exciting developments ahead for the Bastian restaurant brand.
Renovation plans and potential reopening possibilities
The owners have described the current situation as taking “a short pause for renovations,” indicating potential future developments and possible reopening plans that could bring the Bastian brand back to Mumbai’s dining scene.
The closure of Bastian Bandra after nine successful years marks the end of a significant chapter in Mumbai’s dining and nightlife scene. From its iconic dishes like Animal Prawns and Lobster Bomb to hosting the popular Arcane Affair events, the restaurant established itself as more than just a dining destination—it became a cultural landmark. The business partnership between Shilpa Shetty and Aallia Hospitality’s founders proved successful in creating a brand that resonated with Mumbai’s food enthusiasts and party-goers alike.
While legal troubles surrounding the ₹60 crore fraud allegations have cast a shadow over the closure, the Bastian brand’s legacy continues with plans for renovation and the continuation of signature events at other locations. The owners’ promise of “a fresh new beginning” and upcoming announcements suggest that this closure may be temporary, offering hope to the restaurant’s loyal patrons. As Mumbai bids farewell to this iconic Bandra establishment, the restaurant industry will undoubtedly watch closely to see how the Bastian brand evolves and whether it can overcome current challenges to reclaim its position in the city’s competitive dining landscape.