Bengaluru-based restaurant chain Nandhini, known for its Andhra cuisine, is set to open one of its largest outlets yet on 10 September at St. Marks Road. Spread across 6,000 sq. ft. with a 250-seat capacity (200 indoors and 50 outdoors), the new outlet represents the brand’s most ambitious expansion in recent years.
The interiors, developed by Reshma Raju and Nishant Raju of Abstract Design Studio, combine contemporary elements with traditional influences. Drawing inspiration from Bengaluru’s T2 Airport and the city’s “Garden City” identity, the design emphasizes sustainability and fine-dining aesthetics. St. Marks Road is the second outlet to adopt this new design approach, which the brand plans to implement across future locations.
Operational highlights include two private dining spaces — Sambhavam with seating for 40–50 guests, and Sannidhi with 15 seats — to cater to private gatherings. Other customer-focused initiatives include a “biryani bell ritual,” where a bell signals the arrival of a fresh dum biryani batch, and Polaroid giveaways to capture dining memories.
The food menu continues to feature Nandhini’s signature dishes such as Andhra Meals, Chilli Chicken, and Nellore Biryanis. For this outlet, exclusive additions include Gunpowder Popcorn, Mudda Pappu Avvakaya Annam, Paneer Ghee Roast Biryani, Appam with Mutton Chops, Mutton Shorba, Coriander Chicken, Nalagonda Mutton Roast Biryani, Bheemavaram Leg Roast Biryani, and Godavari Prawns Biryani.
The St. Marks Road outlet also introduces an updated beverage program. Guests will have access to beer on tap, featuring Kingfisher Premium, Heineken Silver, Toit Tin-Tin Wit, and Toit Basmati Blonde. Alongside, a new cocktail menu with seven Nandhini-special creations has been designed to complement the Andhra flavors.
“Our vision is to redefine the fine-dine Andhra experience,” the Nandhini team stated. “With St. Marks Road, we’re bringing together everything our loyal guests love — authentic Andhra flavors, warm hospitality, and a legacy they trust — while giving it a modern, premium setting. This outlet is a key step in our larger journey of expanding across India and the world.”
Currently operating 18 outlets in Bengaluru and one in Mysore, Nandhini is working toward an expansion plan of 50 outlets across India. Target markets include Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, and Delhi, with international expansion planned for Dubai, Sydney, Singapore, Malaysia, and London.
The new St. Marks Road opening signals the brand’s shift toward larger-format outlets, updated design language, and beverage innovation — all part of its strategy to strengthen market leadership in Andhra dining while preparing for national and global growth.
After establishing a strong presence in Anna Nagar with its contemporary approach to vegetarian cuisine, VB World has opened its largest and most ambitious outlet in Velachery. The new flagship, which launched on June 14, spans 24,000 square feet and builds on the brand’s existing strengths, offering more space, broader design features, and an expanded global menu.
VB World is the latest chapter in a legacy that began with Vasanta Bhavan in 1974, evolved into Namma Veedu Vasanta Bhavan, and has now moved into its next phase. Conceptualised by the third generation of the founding family, VB World combines decades of trust with a modern outlook to create a dining space that merges tradition and contemporary hospitality.
With over five decades of experience, VB World extends the Vasanta Bhavan legacy to cater to today’s diners with global vegetarian flavors and premium service. The Velachery outlet includes a 220-seat restaurant, a banquet hall that accommodates up to 1,000 guests, and an in-house café called Cones & Brew, which adds another 100 seats, bringing the total seating capacity to over 320. The facility includes dedicated parking for 60 cars and has been designed for comfort, accessibility, and functionality.
At the core of VB World Velachery is its menu, offering vegetarian dishes influenced by cuisines from Korea, Japan, Burma, Thailand, Italy, and Mexico. Guests can choose from street-style plates, wood-fired pizzas, wellness bowls, and desserts, all prepared with premium ingredients and served in a setting that balances modernity with the brand’s roots.
The interiors feature varied seating options, including plush pods, raised dining areas, live counters, and café-style zones, aiming to suit family meals, casual coffee breaks, or large celebrations.
The in-house café, Cones & Brew, offers a globally-inspired menu including smoothie bowls, loaded fries, spring rolls with hot honey, mocktails, and more. It also introduces what it claims to be Chennai’s first DIY ice cream popsicle bar, where guests can customise their frozen treat by selecting a base, dip, and toppings. The café also has a dedicated coffee bar serving single-origin beans from a Chikmagalur estate, brewed in six international styles—Vietnamese Phin, siphon, AeroPress, French press, pour over, and cold brew—alongside an extensive espresso menu with flavoured options and alternative milks.
What distinguishes VB World from conventional vegetarian restaurants is its scale and ambition. Instead of sticking to familiar menus and layouts, it integrates global influences, diverse dining formats, and a café concept into one venue. Every aspect — from the interiors to the menu — has been designed deliberately to meet evolving consumer preferences.
“With VB World Velachery, we wanted to create something that Chennai has never seen before. It’s not just about food, it’s about building a space that reflects how people want to eat, meet and celebrate today. We’ve taken everything we’ve learned over the years and brought it together under one roof,” said Anand Krishnan, Director, VB World.
Following its Anna Nagar success, VB World is expanding its footprint thoughtfully — growing not only in size but also in its vision of redefining vegetarian dining in India.
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