Cantina Brings New-Age Italian-American Cool To BKC

Mumbai’s dining landscape is having a moment, and Cantina at Godrej BKC arrives as one of its most confident new players. The all-day Italian-American bar from Origin Restaurants taps into the vibrancy of New York’s neighbourhood joints, that irresistible mix of red sauce, crisp-edged pizza, big bowls of pasta, and cocktails that stretch conversations late into the evening.

Cantina is led by a tight trio at the helm: Chef Anthony Burd, Culinary Director, who brings his New Jersey roots, Michelin experience, and bold Italian-American sensibility to the menu; Shaurya Malwa, Co-founder and Co-director of Origin Restaurants, who drives the restaurant’s bratty, fearless, joyously loud personality; and Yagyarth Meiwal, Co-founder and Co-director of Origin Restaurants, who shapes the sharp, high-energy dining room experience that defines Cantina’s vibe. It channels the warmth of family-style eating with the swagger of Brooklyn, giving Mumbai a restaurant that is charmingly bratty, unmistakably flavour-driven, and made for repeat visits.

Italian-American Charisma

The room wears its Italian-American identity with ease. A mosaic-tiled pizza station anchors the space, the walls carry nostalgic touches, and the Cantina Cat Club photo by the entrance sets an instantly playful tone.

By evening, the restaurant moves into a comfortable hum, fully booked, relaxed, and set to an unmistakably American soundtrack. Warm lighting, rattan-meets-terrazzo textures, and a crowd ranging from first dates to post-work groups make the space feel universal. The service stays sharp and attentive, with Chef Anthony making his rounds, recommending favourites and sharing little secrets from the kitchen.

Comfort, Turned Up Loud

Cantina leans into abundance, generous plates, familiar flavours, and that Italian-American instinct for comfort. The Truffle Fries arrived first, distinct in flavour and happily munched on till the very end. The Truffle Arancini, one of Chef Anthony’s direct recommendations, delivered instant comfort, the lemon-kissed arancini adding a bright lift.

Pizza follows classic New York logic, and the Bandra Hot feels rooted in Mumbai while sounding unmistakably American. A mix of olives, mushrooms, bell peppers, and tomatoes on a 48-hour fermented dough, it carries a smoky undertone that ties everything together.

Pasta is where Cantina quietly flexes. Your usual litmus test, Aglio e Olio, passed with ease. The flavours were subtle, clean, and thoughtfully restrained, allowing the garlic to shine without overwhelming. The Gnocchi Pesto was soft, herb-forward, and genuinely comforting.

For diners exploring the rest of the menu, the kitchen offers everything from Tagliolini, Carbonara, Chicken Lasagna, and Prawns Tortellini to hearty mains like Black Tiger Prawns, Roast Chicken, Salmon Oreganata, Mushroom Risotto, and Seafood Risotto. Chef Anthony also lets regulars in on a secret: if you're craving a classic pomodoro, ask for Chef Tony’s Pomodoro, his personal recipe.

Dessert brings both nostalgia and theatre. The Tiramisu – Nonna’s Recipe arrives in a moka pot, heady with amaretto, housemade savoiardi biscuits, mascarpone, a jolt of coffee, and a sprinkle of crunchy cocoa for contrast. And if you enjoy a warm, molten finish, the Banana Lava Cake is one of Chef Anthony’s don’t-miss suggestions.

The Sipping Game

Cantina’s cocktail program, cheekily titled No Work Ethics, stays light-hearted but skilful. Chocolate, sweet yet balanced blend of vodka, yuzu, and white chocolate, feels indulgent without heaviness. Herbs, with white rum, absinthe, and cucumber, offers a cooler, sharper profile. The larger menu plays with singular flavours, think Rose, Banana Fig, and a set of spritzes, alongside classics like Negronis and Margarita for those who prefer staying grounded.

ELLE Gourmet’s Verdict

Cantina is generous and fun, everything Italian-American cooking was meant to be. Come for the pizzas and pastas, stay for the cocktails and the laid-back energy. Between the warm service, bold flavours, and a menu designed for sharing, this is BKC’s newest go-to for first dates, after office hang, weeknight comfort, and long, leisurely evenings that stretch into dessert.

Where: Cantina, Godrej BKC, Mumbai