What does the colour scarlet conjure? Warmth, boldness, memory – a quiet but confident presence. Scarlett House channels all of that and more. Not quite a bar, not just a café, and certainly not your average neighbourhood joint, it’s an all-day space where Mumbai unwinds, connects, and comes alive.
Backed by Amit and Afsana Verma, hospitality expert Dhaval Udeshi, culinary and lifestyle icon Malaika Arora, design talent Malaya Nagpal, and coffee-and-community voice Arhaan Khan came together to create a space that reflects their passions and their collective craving for comfort.
The Genesis of Scarlett: A Shared Vision
At its core, Scarlett House is a neighbourhood spot, but not in the typical sense. Designed by Nyishi Parekh, it’s a space that holds its mood and story, while blending seamlessly into the surrounding area’s pace. Each location feels distinct, shaped by its surroundings, yet grounded in a core belief: that places can nourish more than just appetite.
Food Philosophy: Clean; Not Clinical
There’s a certain informality to the way food is plated and served, a reflection of how you would eat in someone’s home. Think of it as an echo of Malaika’s kitchen, with dishes that feel indulgent without being overwhelming and always rooted in comfort and nostalgia. The ingredients are clean, cooked with care (yes, there’s a lot of olive oil involved), and backed by a philosophy of nourishment rather than excess.
India’s First Hydration Bar: A New Bar Culture
At the centre of Scarlett, quite literally, sits India’s first Hydration Bar. Not a gimmick, but a response to the needs of modern living. On offer: flavoured waters, functional coolers, and smoothie-style blends crafted with ingredients that support mood, clarity, and restoration.
This is Malaika’s world, whether you’re focusing on your gut health, want a pick-me-up, an immune boost, or just something to sip on after yoga, like the turmeric tonic, there’s always something to enjoy. It’s a bar that doesn’t revolve around alcohol, but around balance.
The Scarlett Cocktail Programme
If food is where Scarlett feels at home, the bar is where she begins to dream. Curated by Fay Baretto, the Scarlett cocktail program believes in one thing: Art Is An Emotion.
Here, a drink is never just a drink. It’s a performance, a puzzle, a fleeting memory. You might be blindfolded, led by scent, or asked to solve a riddle before your first sip. A biscuit might unlock childhood nostalgia. A garnish might carry the scent of summer. Each cocktail is a story, not just served but felt.
Voices Behind Scarlett House
Afsana Verma, Partner at Scarlett House, shares, “There’s a certain timelessness to the idea of comfort done well, and we saw the potential to build that into a community with real longevity at Scarlett House. With our background in both hospitality and finance, Amit and I are intentional about where we invest, we look for concepts that can scale without losing their soul. From Gigi Bandra to our upcoming projects, we’re committed to creating dining experiences that stand out – not just for the food, but for the culture and community they nurture. Scarlett House is just the beginning of a larger vision, one where Indian F&B concepts don’t just grow locally but travel globally with purpose and pride.”
Dhaval Udeshi, Partner at Scarlett House & Founder of Dhaval Udeshi Hospitality, shares, “Scarlett House is special to me because it brings together everything I’ve learned over the years in hospitality, along with all of our personalities. My years working in building F&B spaces have taught me one thing: every neighbourhood has its rhythm, and you need to tune into that. With Scarlett, it was never about a cut-copy-paste model. It was about creating something that reflects the people around it, what we value, and what we’re seeking today. For me, it’s about striking that balance between design and functionality, the vibe of the location, the needs of the community, and offering something that feels truly distinctive.”
“Scarlett House feels like an extension of my own life — the way I like to eat, how I like to host, the kind of energy I look for in a space. The Hydration Bar was something I was really excited about from the start. It’s playful, functional, and speaks to the way people live today — wanting balance without having to give up flavour or fun. Every detail about Scarlett House is always thoughtfully curated to offer a sense of comfort, warmth, and authenticity. Our menu and our cocktails reflect this philosophy. They’re a reminder that balance, health, and indulgence don’t have to be mutually exclusive,” says Malaika Arora, Partner at Scarlett House.
