Lower Parel has a cool new destination for food lovers: Lil Gamby. While the name may be familiar, the space of this flagship outlet is a complete novelty: the brand has transformed its original cloud kitchen into an expansive dine-in hotspot with a bar. Lil Gamby was founded by Shaan Gidwani under Acapella Hospitality in 2021 and opened its first physical store in Khar in 2023. Outposts in Bandra and Chembur soon followed as the brand amassed a loyal following. We recently had the chance to visit Lil Gamby’s Lower Parel location, taste some of its signature dishes and enjoy its one-of-a-kind ambience.
The brand is known for its street culture influence – it draws inspiration from the eclectic cultures of Miami’s Wynwood district, East London’s Shoreditch, and Brooklyn in New York. In the Lower Parel outlet, this vibe is reflected in the overall decor and the graffiti and street-style art that covers most of the walls. The sheer amount of open space stands out here – the seating is far from congested, the ceilings are high and there’s a mezzanine floor. Lil Gamby plans to capitalise on all this and host live sports screenings, a game zone, and musical performances, we’re told.
Photo Credit: Lil Gamby
Lil Gamby’s menu does not stick to classic Italian ingredients and combinations. Its offerings go beyond the classics to include nods to Asian and other international flavours too. For example, we started our meal with the signature Korean Chicken Wings, which hit the spot just right – in terms of crispiness and spiciness. This was followed by a chicken delight with a desi twist: Kerala Fried Chicken Sliders. The hearty patties were beautifully packed with flavour and we immediately wanted seconds. Among the vegetarian appetisers, the Hot Honey and Jalapenos Cheese Poppers won us over. Apart from such starters, one can also enjoy BBQ platters and customisable fries (with multiple choices for type, flavouring, meat and veggie toppings)
Photo Credit: Lil Gamby
The Lower Parel outlet has an exclusive range of smash burgers, made with in-house bread. Since we wanted to prioritise the pizzas, we didn’t taste them this time. But they nevertheless sounded quite tempting. We instead moved to the pasta section and feasted on Plata Verde. The spaghetti was generously coated with a yummy roasted garlic and basil pesto, and mixed with slow-cooked mushroom and parmesan cheese. It was a wonderful example of comfort food – perfect to unwind with after a long day’s (or week’s) work.
Photo Credit: Lil Gamby
Finally, it was time to taste the pizza. Lil Gamby is known for its Neapolitan-style sourdough bases, which undergo a 48-hour fermentation process, we’re told. The pizzas are available in 8-inch and 11-inch sizes, and the array of options is noteworthy. From classics to experimental, from simple and straightforward to loaded and decadent – it seems there’s something for every mood. The struggle to select was real but the availability of such variety was laudable. Many of the pizzas feature the classic and beloved San Marzano Tomato Sauce, but there are some with other signature sauces as well.
Among the vegetarian pizzas, the cheekily named Ghas Pus was a delicious treat. The tanginess of the San Marzano sauce, the dual delight of mozzarella and scamorza cheese and the toppings of mushroom, zucchini, bell peppers and sun-dried tomatoes made it a satisfying choice. Among the non-vegetarian ones, we liked the Nucleaaa. It was a fiery and flavourful combination of Thai-inspired Chilli Basil Chicken, bell peppers, roasted onions and garlic. Again, both mozzarella and scamorza cheese were added to the pizza.
Photo Credit: Lil Gamby
One can pair these dishes with different types of alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages. Unlike the other outlets, Lil Gamby Lower Parel boasts a bar and its menu matches the overall casual vibe of the restaurant. There are 16 types of beer on tap, featuring exclusive collaborations with breweries like Drifters and Rolling Mills. Guests can sample unique brews through taster flights, beer towers, or full pints. They can be paired with Lil Gamby’s indulgent smash burgers. The drinks lineup also includes several cool cocktails, house-made iced teas, loaded shakes and fuss-free mocktails that cater to a wide range of preferences.
Photo Credit: Lil Gamby
We ended our meal with Tira-Miss-Me – Lil Gamby’s take on tiramisu – which was simple yet amazing. The bitterness of the espresso oozing from the soaked savoiardi, the boozy hit from the rum and the smoothness of the mascarpone sent us to dessert heaven. It’s a sweet delight worth returning for.
Whether for a casual outing or a lively night with friends, Lil Gamby’s flagship outlet is worth checking out the next time you’re in Lower Parel. Moreover, the kitchen extends its delivery hours until 5 am, so those around the area can also satisfy their post-midnight cravings by ordering from here.
Where: Lower Parel Compound, SJ Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai.
