At a time when Mumbai's dining scene is overflowing with maximalism and performative luxury, Adelina chooses a softer approach. Tucked away in Bandra, this newly opened Italian restaurant feels less like a commercial dining space and more like stepping into someone's thoughtfully lived-in European home - one where conversations stretch long past dessert, wine is poured generously, and hospitality feels instinctive rather than rehearsed.

There's a certain calm that settles over you the moment you enter Adelina. Before the food even arrives, the space begins telling its story through warm lighting, textured interiors, soft music, and a quiet confidence that never feels loud or forced. During my visit, what stood out most was how intentional everything felt - from the pacing of service to the way each dish arrived, as if it were a continuation of the previous conversation at the table.

Founded by sisters Harshita Bhatia and Ankita Bhatia, the restaurant takes a deeply personal approach. You can sense that Adelina has been built from memory, travel, family rituals, and years of observing what truly makes people feel cared for. While Harshita brings her culinary training and technical precision into the kitchen, Ankita shapes the emotional rhythm of the space - from the atmosphere and styling to the guest experience itself.

The result is a restaurant that doesn't chase trends. Instead, it leans into warmth, restraint, and the beauty of doing simple things exceptionally well.

Adelina Interior

Adelina's Interiors: An Italian Villa Aesthetic in the Heart of Bandra
Designed in collaboration with Tejal Mathur Designs, the restaurant borrows inspiration from Italian countryside homes but interprets them through a more contemporary lens. Spread across a large 6000 sq. ft. space, Adelina still feels intimate.

One of my favorite details was the art direction running through the restaurant. Classical European references appear throughout the space, but with playful reinterpretations that stop the room from feeling overly formal. Above the bar, the ceiling artwork immediately catches your attention-a modern parody inspired by Michelangelo's Creation of Adam, reimagined with wine and contemporary symbolism. It's dramatic yet playful, and somehow perfectly captures the spirit of Adelina itself: rooted in tradition, but never trapped by it.

The wood-fired oven remains the visual and emotional anchor of the restaurant. You can smell it before you see it, subtly perfuming the room with warmth and smoke without overwhelming the dining experience.

Hot and Fresh Pizza at Adelina

What to Eat at Adelina: Wood-Fired Pizza, Grilled Prawns and More
What impressed me most about the food at Adelina was its discipline. Nothing felt excessive. Every ingredient had a purpose, every sauce was restrained, and every plate trusted flavor over theatrics.

We began with the Beetroot and Goat Cheese Salad, which balanced sweetness, acidity, and creaminess beautifully without trying too hard. Fresh, vibrant, and clean, it set the tone for the meal ahead.

One dish that deserves a special mention is the Gamberi Alla Griglia - perfectly charred prawns served with spiced tomatoes and capers. Smoky, briny and deeply flavourful, the dish captures Adelina's cooking style beautifully: restrained, ingredient-forward and quietly confident. The sweetness of the prawns works effortlessly against the sharpness of the capers and the slow-cooked richness of the tomatoes, creating a plate that feels both coastal and comforting.

And then there were the pizzas.

Cooked in the wood-fired oven, the Neapolitan-style pizzas arrived with beautifully blistered edges, airy crusts, and just enough chew. They carried that difficult balance between rusticity and precision.

Dessert ended the meal exactly the way it should - with comfort. Their Tiramisu, made using house-made savoiardi, was served family-style and felt generous in both flavor and spirit. Balanced notes of coffee and Kahlúa came through clearly without making the dessert overly sweet or heavy.