Little Italy Reserve Opens in Pune, Eyes Expansion into 5–8 Cities by 2030

Little Italy, the homegrown Italian restaurant brand founded in Pune in 1989, has unveiled Little Italy Reserve, a new flagship concept in Shivajinagar that brings together Italian-Mediterranean dining, café culture, cocktails and music in an integrated hospitality experience.

The launch marks a new chapter for the 37-year-old brand, combining its established Italian identity with a broader Mediterranean menu and a day-to-night format designed around evolving consumer preferences. 

Reserve brings together three distinct experiences: Little Italy’s Italian-Mediterranean dining, Tutto Bene, a speciality café and gelateria, and Lily, a dedicated cocktail bar that transitions into an after-dark social destination. 

The property also features The Piazza, an alfresco space designed for leisurely lunches, sundowners and intimate dinners.

“Little Italy has always been a family restaurant at heart, becoming part of birthdays, celebrations, first dates and everyday memories for generations. Reserve is about carrying that connection forward while creating an experience that reflects how people eat, meet and spend time together today,” said Raj Mehta, Founder, Little Italy Group.

At the heart of Little Italy Reserve is a menu that retains the brand’s familiar favourites while expanding into Mediterranean cuisines, drawing influences from Greece, Spain, France, Turkey and the Levant.

The menu also introduces a dedicated steamed handmade pasta category, featuring creations such as Black Truffle Raviolo and Ricotta & Lemon Tortellini. Presented in smaller portions, the format highlights the craftsmanship of pasta-making while offering a fresh take on the traditional dining sequence.

Vegetarian cuisine remains central to the concept, with pizza, handmade pasta, risotto, breads, cheese, tomatoes and olive oil continuing to anchor the menu. The culinary direction is led by Alessandro Comis, Executive Chef for Little Italy Reserve, whose approach combines Italian techniques with wider Mediterranean influences.

The Shivajinagar property is envisioned as the blueprint for future Little Italy Reserve locations, with the group aiming to establish the concept in five to eight additional cities by 2030. 

Hyderabad and Jaipur are among the next markets planned for expansion.

“Reserve represents our evolution from a traditional restaurant proposition into a more integrated hospitality experience. By bringing dining, cocktails and café culture together, we are creating a format that responds to changing consumer lifestyles while building on Little Italy’s established strengths. Pune is the starting point for this next phase of growth,” said Amrut Mehta, Managing Director, Little Italy Group and Concept Lead for Little Italy Reserve and Lily.

Founded in Pune in 1989, Little Italy is a homegrown Italian restaurant brand with more than 50 outlets across 18 cities and four countries.