The Library At NMACC Feels Like A New Chapter In Mumbai's Dining Scene

If I can be honest, it has been a while since I visited a newly launched space that felt genuinely fresh in every sense of the word, from the menu and design to the intention behind it. The Library, which just opened at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai, naturally had my curiosity from the start. Given the address it calls home, I knew this wasn't going to be an ordinary dining experience and I wasn't wrong.

The Space

The moment I stepped in, my eyes instinctively began exploring the space. On one side, sculptural books adorned the uppermost sections of the walls. A little further in, I spotted tabletops with beautifully carved open-book details, intimate alcoves that invited you to settle in, and bookshelves lined with titles that could easily become conversation starters. There was also a dedicated corner for programming and cultural experiences, giving me the sense that this was designed to be much more than a place to eat. The idea, I gathered, is to create a destination where food, books, culture and conversations come together.

The Library is thoughtfully divided into three distinct spaces, each with its own mood and purpose. The first is the Edit Room. A live banyan tree anchors the space, while a fresh baking table sits right in the middle, where I spotted the chef preparing a batch of desserts. There is also a coffee counter for those looking to grab something on the go. The Edit Room is perfect for those late-afternoon cravings, a little break between shopping plans or simply an excuse to step away from the everyday.

The main dining room is anchored by a fireplace, framed by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and is where the larger dining experience unfolds.

Upstairs, the mezzanine offers a calmer setting, almost like a little retreat for those who enjoy reading over everything else. I am told the space houses over 4,500 handpicked titles across more than 40 genres, ensuring there is something for every kind of reader. I spent quite some time browsing through the collection, and one detail I loved was that you can actually shop for the books here.

You can easily move between the spaces. In fact, I found myself taking a little walk between my mains and desserts, discovering different corners of the restaurant and getting a few steps in before what was about to be a rather serious dessert indulgence. You will understand why when we get to the food.

The Food

This isn’t a menu trying to impress you with oversized, heavy plates. Instead, expect smaller portions, generous enough to share. These are the kind of dishes you order for the middle of the table, pass around, discuss and inevitably go back for. Much like a good book, every plate gives you something to talk about.

The starters bring a refreshing take on some familiar favourites. The Avocado Basket was one of my first picks — light, airy baskets topped with whipped cream cheese, avocado tartare and sambal. They were so moreish that I could have easily gone through another round.

Then came the Potato Churros, and I might just have found a new competitor to my favourite fries. Served with onion dust, beetroot dust, Parmesan aioli and romesco, these were an absolute delight. I was particularly taken by the sauces. The team tells me they are all made in-house, and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients with every bite.

The Cheese Chilli Crackers, served with herbed cheese and almond pesto, were another delicious addition to the table. Simple, flavourful bites that make perfect sense for a menu designed around sharing.

I also like having a salad on the table, and there were two that caught my attention. The Beetroot and Orange Salad, with rolled beetroot, pistachio pesto, arugula and lemon vinaigrette, brought together smoky, and crunchy notes beautifully. But the Asian Salad was the one I personally enjoyed more. With water chestnuts, edamame, pomelo, tofu and a soy and sesame dressing, it was a refreshing little flavour bomb. Crunchy, bright and wonderfully balanced, it made for a great palate refresher between the other dishes.

A little disclaimer here. I am a vegetarian, so my recommendations naturally lean towards the vegetarian side. However, after speaking with the team, I also got a sense of how thoughtfully the non-vegetarian selections have been put together, with equally interesting flavour combinations.

For my mains, I picked the Herb Rice Bowl, served with cured tofu and miso-glazed vegetables. The rice was light yet flavourful, and the accompaniments made it a wholesome meal without feeling too heavy. The Hara Bhara Layered Paneer was another highlight. Served with a slow-cooked cashew gravy and herb paratha, it was a refreshing departure from the usual heavy, greasy paneer preparations. The gravy was light and creamy, the flavours beautifully balanced, and before I knew it, I was contemplating ordering another paratha. That I know is always a good sign.

From the moment I settled at my table, I was repeatedly reminded not to miss dessert. I started with the Orange Cake, simply because I hadn’t had a good orange dessert in a while. This was one of the freshest-tasting orange cakes I have ever had. The sponge was generously soaked in orange juice and served with creme Chantilly.

And because one dessert was never going to be enough, I followed it up with the Matilda Cake, featuring salted caramel and a 70 per cent dark chocolate ganache. It was rich, indulgent and quite literally melted in my mouth. 

After my meal, I found myself wandering around again, discovering more titles on the shelves, browsing through the books and learning that I could actually take some of them home. I walked out feeling comfortably full, but with a feeling of wanting to come back for more.

The Verdict

The Library is for those who aren't in a hurry.  The cafe is for anyone who enjoys taking their dining experiences slowly — easy on the palate and the stomach, but certainly not on flavour. One visit, I suspect, isn't going to be enough to explore everything The Library has to offer. But honestly, I don't think you'll mind having a reason to return.