At a time when everyone’s lives are dominated by screens, swiping, scrolling, something remarkable is simmering in kitchens and living rooms of Mumbai: the rise of supper clubs. These IRL (in-real-life) meets are so much more than just a trendy dining format, they are intimate, invitation-only, pre-paid gatherings that are offering a refreshing alternative to today’s transactional urban lifestyle. Mumbai’s supper clubs are bringing back what we all have been missing of late: real conversations, shared stories, over a carefully curated meal. ‘It’s not just about food. It’s about storytelling and the joy of coming together’Whether it is a numbingly spicy Sichuan-led meal in Khar, a coastal Karnataka thali in Andheri, or a nine-course street-food extravaganza in SoBo, supper clubs across the city are serving something that is deeply nourishing: connection! “Ours is an intimate 12 to 14-seater supper club that brings people together over a bold, soulful Sichuan-inspired dining experience,” says Prachi Gupta, co-founder of the Khar-based community dining initiative. “It’s not just about food. It’s about storytelling and the joy of coming together.” Hosted in a cozy home, this offers both curated community dining and private experiences from Thursday to Sunday. The idea is simple, bring strangers around one table and let flavor spark camaraderie.Co-founder Saloni Gupta adds, “It began with a craving, not just for Sichuan food, but for a space that felt intimate, surprising, and full of life. We didn’t just bring Sichuan to Mumbai, we built a space where everyone feels at home, where every table tells a story.”‘I crave IRL meetups, and a supper club is enriching and fun’The guests echo that sentiment. Shikha Dhanuka, a product consultant from Vile Parle and a repeat visitor to a supper club, shares, “The food is bold, addictive, and bursting with flavor. But I keep coming back for new people and fresh conversations. It’s a special kind of space.” Shruti Shah, a Nariman Point-based marketing executive, adds, “I’ve attended two supper clubs so far, one in South Mumbai and one in Andheri. In a digital age where we rarely meet people outside of work, this experience with strangers was such a welcome change. I crave IRL meetups, and this was enriching and fun. Sometimes, the most nourishing thing on the table is the conversation.”‘It’s about going beyond just dining’Across town in Andheri West, Raji Gupta runs a supper club where she curates unique dining experiences. “What you can expect here is food and conversation,” she says. “I love doing up the tables with special tablescaping — it’s about going beyond just dining.” Rooted in the rich culinary heritage of Karnataka, her menus reflect her North Karnataka origins, drawing from the flavors of the border regions. “In the future,” she adds, “I’ll be bringing Maharashtrian and Goan coastal cuisines to the table as well.” Meanwhile, in South Mumbai, Pallavi Mehta turns her home into a cultural capsule of Gujarat. She curates authentic thalis and a nine-course Mumbai street food, snacks experience. “I often take guests shopping with me at Crawford Market before we start cooking together. They get a peek into our cuisine, life, and kitchen,” she explains.‘Definitely more than just a meal’What binds all these supper clubs is a desire to go beyond eating, to create space for joy, discovery, and presence. As Saloni puts it, “Its definitely more than just a meal. What we gain from this is everything. Energy, meaning, fulfilment. We live for the laughter, the new connections, the joy of introducing someone to a flavour they’ve never had.”WHAT IS A SUPPER CLUB?A supper club is an intimate, often private, pre-paid, or by-invite-only dining experience usually hosted in a home. Unlike restaurants, supper clubs offer fixed menus, themed cuisine, and a shared table, with a strong focus on community, storytelling, and real-world connection.
