In a dining landscape brimming with fusion concepts, Anardana has carved a distinctive niche by blending the comfort of traditional Indian recipes with the vibrancy of contemporary culinary artistry. Since its inception, the brand has grown from a single outlet into a rapidly expanding chain, all while preserving its soul, celebrating “premium nostalgia” in design, flavor, and experience. In this exclusive conversation, we speak with Chef Aditya Kumar Jha, HeadChef, Anardana about their vision, expansion strategy, and how he is redefining modern Indian dining for a global audience.
What was the core vision behind launching Anardana, and how has the brand evolved since its inception?
Anardana was envisioned as a love letter to Indian comfort food, with nostalgia and soulful recipes reimagined for the new-age diner. The core idea was to bridge generations: bringing back the tastes of “maa ke haath ka khaana” in a vibrant, design-forward space that speaks to today’s aspirational, experience-hungry India. Since launching, Anardana has evolved into more than a restaurant, it has become a destination where tradition meets trend and every dish tells a story. From a single outlet to 15 and counting, our growth has been organic, driven by customer love, social buzz, and a clear identity rooted in “premium nostalgia.”
How does Anardana strike a balance between traditional Indian flavours and contemporary dining experiences?
We call it “comfort food, reinvented with love.” Our chefs stay rooted in authenticity but are unafraid to innovate. Whether it’s turning Palak Patta Chaat into a crispy kale spectacle or serving Butter Chicken as fondue, we surprise our guests while keeping the soul of the dish intact. It’s a thoughtful dance between familiarity and freshness. Add to that a curated ambiance with retro Bollywood hints, groovy playlists, and Insta-friendly plating, and you’ve got a dining experience that feels both timeless and new.
Anardana has been steadily expanding—what factors do you consider before entering a new market or city?
Each expansion is driven by more than just real estate metrics. We look for markets where our core personas—millennials, young professionals, and modern families—already thrive. We also assess the city’s openness to fusion, local dining behavior, and cultural fit with our brand’s vibe. Operational feasibility, supply chain integrity, and our ability to deliver the full “Anardana experience” at scale are key. For us, expansion isn’t just about opening new doors, it’s about ensuring every outlet feels like home, with the same energy and emotional resonance.
Can you walk us through your recent or upcoming expansion plans? Are there any international aspirations in the pipeline?
We’re currently scaling across Delhi NCR, with new launches planned in Tier 1 cities that are ready for a modern, high-energy Indian dining experience. Looking ahead, international markets like Dubai, London, and Toronto are on our radar, places with a strong Indian diaspora and a growing appetite for experiential fusion cuisine. Our IPO journey will further fuel this growth. But whether in Gurgaon or London, the vision remains the same: deliver dadi’s recipes in a designer setting with a twist of 2025.
How do you ensure brand consistency and quality across multiple locations as you scale?
It starts with culture. Every team member—chef, server, or bartender, is trained not just in technique, but in what we call “Anardana emotion.” From standardized SOPs to centralized ingredient sourcing, we control what goes into each dish. But more importantly, we ensure each outlet embodies our vibe, cheerful service, sensory design, and storytelling. Our interiors may have local flavor, but our service DNA and guest-first philosophy remain constant. We also listen obsessively to reviews, to regulars, to every feedback form, and iterate fast.
What are some of the key challenges you’ve faced during the expansion journey, and how have you navigated them?
Scaling a brand that thrives on personalization and atmosphere isn’t easy. One challenge has been maintaining our “immersive experience” at scale, especially in high-footfall areas. We’ve tackled that by investing in backend systems, empowering outlet managers, and building a strong, shared brand playbook. Another hurdle has been tech adoption, getting customers to order directly versus through aggregators. We counter this with loyalty incentives, exclusive offers, and nostalgia-driven campaigns that make them feel part of the Anardana family. It’s always about turning friction into delight.
With a growing number of Indian fusion or modern Indian restaurants, what makes Anardana stand out in this space?
Anardana stands out because it’s not just “fusion”, it’s emotion with flair. Where others stop at aesthetic plating, we dive deeper into storytelling: every chaat, cocktail, and art piece in our space is rooted in a cultural memory. Our signature aesthetic, what we call “desi sexy”, blends 90s nostalgia with today’s confidence. Plus, we’re experience-first: from retro-themed events and live music nights to dishes designed for drama, Anardana is where memories are made. We’re not just a restaurant. We’re your adda for every mood.