Akhil Iyer and Shriya Narayan Bring Benne Dosa’s Magic to Mumbai with Benne

Business Remedies | Rajshree Upadhyaya | May 17,2025 | A quiet culinary revolution is unfolding in the heart of Bandra’s vibrant lanes. A small eatery named Benne, launched in May 2024, has become a local sensation by offering something Mumbai never knew it needed, an authentic Davangere-style benne dosa. Founded by actor-producer Akhil Iyer and psychologist Shriya Narayan, both originally from Bengaluru, Benne is more than a food joint. It is a deeply personal homage to their roots, a heartfelt attempt to bring a slice of home to their adopted city.

For Akhil, the idea sparked from a ritual he never missed, stopping for a benne dosa at a humble darshini the moment he landed in Bengaluru. The rich aroma of ghee, the soft-yet-crisp dosa texture, and above all, the unmistakable dollop of white butter weren’t just tastes; they were memories. Living in Mumbai, he found that while South Indian cuisine was widely available, nothing came close to the dosas he grew up with. So, rather than compromise, he and Shriya decided to recreate that experience themselves.

Neither of them had a background in food or hospitality. Akhil trained under a seasoned dosa master on Bengaluru’s Avenue Road, learning the art of crafting the perfect benne dosa, from the consistency of the batter to the timing of the flip. Back in Mumbai, they spent months replicating the taste in their kitchen, refining every element until it matched what they remembered. The result is a dosa true to its origin: golden, thick, soft at the center, crispy at the edges, and always served with a single, flavorful chutney, just as it’s done in Karnataka. What truly distinguishes Benne isn’t only the food, but the experience. The 275-square-foot café mirrors the simplicity of a Bengaluru darshini. It offers no seating, just standing tables and self-service kiosks. Customers don’t receive token numbers; instead, they’re called out using quirky nicknames inspired by Bengaluru neighborhoods and characters, like “Sultanpalya Shakir” or “Koramangala Karthik”, a whimsical touch that instantly evokes nostalgia. It’s these small, deliberate details, many of them thought up by Shriya, that transform a meal into an experience.

Before Benne even opened, it had already gained attention online. Akhil and Shriya documented their journey on social media, sharing their trials and triumphs as first-time restaurateurs. Their honest and engaging storytelling found an eager audience, turning followers into first-time customers. When celebrities like Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh visited, the buzz only grew. Yet even with the spotlight, Akhil remains grounded, calling social media “a lottery where authenticity often wins.”

Running Benne hasn’t been without its hurdles. From daily stock checks to tasting chutney dozens of times to maintain flavor consistency, the couple is involved in every detail. Shriya jokes that she’s “30% chutney” now, reflecting the level of hands-on effort that goes into maintaining quality. Ensuring consistency across different shifts and staff members remains their biggest challenge, but also their top priority.

Their menu is deliberately simple. A few versions of benne dosa, ghee podi idli, and filter coffee, served on banana leaves with eco-friendly plates, complete the offering. This minimalism is intentional, aligning with their philosophy of focusing on doing one thing exceptionally well. Every bite is designed to transport you, if only for a moment, to a busy street in Bengaluru.
Choosing Bandra over more traditional South Indian hubs like Matunga was also a conscious decision. For Akhil, Bandra was his first home in Mumbai over a decade ago, and setting up Benne there was a way of tying the past to the present. It’s fitting, then, that Benne has become more than just a place to eat. It’s a space where memories are plated, where the past is served with butter, and where a simple dosa tells a story of love, longing, and homecoming.

Written & Edited By:

Rajshree Upadhyaya