Bandra to Goa: B-Town Restaurants Capitalise on the Start of the Season in Anjuna
- Kenneth Hopkins
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Every September, Goa’s Anjuna gears up for its high season—tourists pour in, parties return, and the food-and-drink scene resets for another blockbuster run. This year, before the crowds hit peak levels, Bandra’s best-loved eateries are swooping in early to claim their spot.
From 19 to 21 September, Elephant & Co. in Anjuna will transform into a Bandra annex, hosting eight cult Mumbai restaurants and bars for a three-day pop-up that feels like “Hill Road meets the paddy fields.”
Why Bandra, Why Now?
For Karan Khilnani, Elephant & Co.’s partner and a self-confessed “Bandra boy,” the timing was no accident. Goa’s season is just about to kick off, and what better way to ride the wave than by introducing the city’s favourite dining brands before the calendar fills up?
Bandra’s food scene has long balanced laid-back charm with serious flavour, making it the perfect cultural fit for Goa’s evolving dining audience. The idea isn’t just a collab—it’s a neighbourhood transplant. Instead of one-off partnerships, this is Bandra showing up as a collective, capitalising on Goa’s seasonal reset.
The Line-Up: A Bandra Sampler Platter
Day 1: Thursday, Sept 19
Khao Man Gai: Hainanese chicken rice by Chef Seefah.
The Daily All Day: Mediterranean plates and cocktails with live music energy.
Day 2: Friday, Sept 20
Darry’s House: Burgers, café culture, and co-working vibes.
Boojee Café: Cold brews and caffeine fuel.
Sixteen33: First-ever bar pop-up, featuring The Kantwadi cocktail (mezcal + raw mango soda tribute to old Bandra villages).
Jai Jawan: Mumbai’s tandoori and fried seafood institution.
Pack-a-Pav: Iconic sandwiches that defined Bandra street food.
Day 3: Saturday, Sept 21
Benne: The dosa diner making Bandra queues legendary.
Elephant & Co.: Mixing Feni-based cocktails for a Goan spin.
Each brand is showcasing 8–10 signature dishes and drinks, giving visitors a fresh reason to return daily.
The Bigger Play
For Bandra brands, this is smart business. Goa’s season is a goldmine, but most new entrants wait until December when the peak crowd hits. By arriving early, these restaurants are:
Cementing first-mover advantage before other metros bring their pop-ups.
Catching returning Goans and Mumbaikars who are craving a familiar fix.
Tapping the out-of-towner crowd that loves the idea of “two cities for the price of one.”
It’s more than a pop-up—it’s market entry disguised as a party.
Community Over Competition
Interestingly, the vibe among participating restaurants isn’t cut-throat. As Shahrom Oshtori of Sixteen33 puts it:
“We’re all building this cool little community of Bandra spots that want to engage with each other rather than viewing one another as competition.”
For diners, that means camaraderie on the plate—an eclectic mix of old-guard staples like Jai Jawan alongside disruptors like Benne. It’s a Bandra showcase of heritage meets hype.
Who Will Show Up?
Goa-based Mumbaikars: Homesick for familiar flavours.
Early-season travellers: Wanting the “Bandra buzz” without the Mumbai queues.
Curious Goans: Eager to sample what the fuss is about without leaving Anjuna.
For three days, Bandra takes Goa by storm—just before the season explodes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Bandra-to-Goa pop-up at Elephant & Co. Anjuna?
It’s a three-day food festival from 19–21 September 2025, where eight iconic Bandra restaurants and bars set up shop in Goa. Diners can enjoy Mumbai’s cult favourites like Jai Jawan, Pack-a-Pav, Benne, and Sixteen33—without the queues.
2. Which Mumbai restaurants are part of the Goa pop-up?
The line-up features a mix of heritage eateries and new-age hotspots, including:
Khao Man Gai (Hainanese chicken rice)
The Daily All Day (Euro-Med plates + cocktails)
Darry’s House (burgers + café culture)
Boojee Café (craft brews)
Sixteen33 (cocktails inspired by old Bandra villages)
Jai Jawan (seafood and tandoori classics)
Pack-a-Pav (Mumbai sandwich shop)
Benne (cult dosa diner)
3. Why are Bandra restaurants doing a pop-up in Goa?
This pop-up coincides with the start of Goa’s tourist season, giving Mumbai brands a chance to build visibility early. It lets them connect with Mumbaikars living in Goa, seasonal travelers, and Goans curious about Bandra’s food culture.
4. Do I need to book a reservation for the event?
Yes. Since each day has a different line-up of restaurants and dishes, it’s recommended to book your table in advance at Elephant & Co. Anjuna to avoid missing out.
5. What kind of food and drink options will be available?
Expect a wide variety—seafood tandoori, Hainanese chicken rice, burgers, sandwiches, dosas, craft coffee, and cocktails. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options will be available, catering to diverse palates.
6. What makes the Sixteen33 pop-up special?
This is Sixteen33’s first bar pop-up outside Mumbai. They’re bringing cocktails inspired by Bandra’s old villages, including their signature drink The Kantwadi—a refreshing mix of mezcal and raw mango soda.
7. Who should attend the Bandra-to-Goa food festival?
The event is perfect for:
Goa-based Mumbaikars missing home flavours.
Tourists who want to experience Bandra and Goa in one trip.
Locals curious to try Mumbai’s most talked-about food spots without the long queues.
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