Mumbai: Malaika Arora’s restaurant venture, Scarlett House, has completed a year. And, the actor says the “journey so far has been phenomenal.” Among all her investments and business ventures, Scarlett House holds a special place for her.
“It was a long, long dream to have a restaurant. I didn’t know how, when, or where but I always knew I wanted one,” Malaika told ThePrint, at the restaurant’s Bandra outlet.
“Anyone who knows me will tell you I always wanted to run a restaurant. I am the happiest when I am either eating, cooking or making others eat. It’s my kind of expression of love.”
Scarlett House, Bandra, the brand’s first location, was opened in December 2024. Conceived by Amit and Afsana Verma along with restaurateur Dhaval Udeshi, co-founder of Bandra favourites Gigi and Lyla, Scarlett House also counts Malaika, her son Arhaan Khan, and Malaya Nagpal as partners. At its core, the restaurant is built around the idea of home.
Located in the bylanes of Pali Village, Scarlett House occupies a 90-year-old Portuguese bungalow painted in bright red, which also lends the restaurant its name, Scarlett. Spread across the bungalow’s many rooms, the 2,500-square-foot space has been curated with original beams and shuttered windows intact. Gramophones, Victorian chairs in floral prints, and cosy woollen throws add to the warmth and charm of the space, which mimics a mountain chalet.
While the Bandra outlet is known for its rich red tones, the Juhu outpost, also housed in a refurbished heritage structure and opened six months ago, is drenched in soothing whites, drawing inspiration from coastal European cafés.
“Food was always integral for all of us, and not just eating. Plating beautifully, setting a table, it was part of my growing up years. I saw my mum do it, and it stayed with me,” said Malaika.
The actor, along with her co-founders, has attempted to bring a piece of that to Scarlett House.
‘Beauty with brains’
Opening a restaurant or being an investor in one has become a new norm for celebrities. There is often a perception that a big name is brought on board for their clout. But, Malaika dismisses these claims for Scarlett House.
Over the years, Malaika revealed she got multiple offers from restaurants where there was an easy way out for her.
“I had to just lend my name and get paid for it. But, those restaurants then never piqued my interest. They didn’t excite me because this (food) isn’t just business for me. It really means a lot,” she said.
At Scarlett House, Malaika said she has been involved in every detail. From the menu to the final plate, she has a voice in it all. The dishes, she explained, are a mix of the founders’ personal favourites, with a few thoughtful additions inspired by the staff as well.
Several of Malaika’s own go-to dishes and homegrown recipes have found a place on the menu. The thecha paneer, devoured almost the moment it arrived at the table, made its popularity instantly clear. The fiery green preparation of paneer cubes happens to be one of Malaika’s absolute favourites.
European flavours dominate the Scarlett House menu. Elements like sundried tomato butter paired with chilli oil, grilled halloumi with onions and olives, and the avocado phyllo cups remained some consistent crowd-pleaser.
But it’s the pasta in caramelised onion sauce, a recipe Malaika has been making at home for years, that truly stood out. Guests scooped even the last drop of the gravy.
“I have bumped into Malaika a bunch of times at Scarlett House, and it just feels different when the founders are so personally involved in what they do. The results are bound to be different because they add their personal touch, their personal attention to everything,” said actor and content creator Ashna Zaveri.
A regular at Scarlett House Bandra for their masala khichdi, beetroot sushi, dark chocolate fudge cake, fig and burrata salad, and churros, Zaveri describes the food as super comforting.
The content creator said she has always admired Malaika for the hard work. And called her “beauty with brains.”
Meanwhile, Malaika described the food at Scarlett House as “new-age nostalgia.” The menu, she said, isn’t bound to any single cuisine and moves freely across styles.
“From khichdi to prawn ghasi with paratha or sushi. It’s all there. But, at the same time, it’s not like we are meandering. It’s all our favourite dishes,” she said.
Also read: Malaika Arora says she didn’t know the B of business. ‘I knew how to run a house’
Malaika as a business partner
For Malaya Nagpal, who is making her entrepreneurial debut with Scarlett House, working with Malaika has been “empowering.”
Nagpal, who has been involved in everything from operations and finance to marketing, interiors and overall brand direction, describes Malaika’s business style as “very confident and decisive.”
“She has a clear vision, knows what she wants, and is firm in her decisions while still being open to discussion. She’s extremely encouraging and creates an environment where you feel trusted, supported, and pushed to grow at the same time,” Nagpal said.
The 25-year-old, who is a close friend of Arhaan Khan, highlights that she has learned the importance of confidence, trusting her instincts, backing her decisions, and not shying away from taking responsibility from Malaika, who is a multi-tasker across industries.
But, Nagpal is grateful that both her and Malaika’s working styles align in how hands-on and invested they are.
“I’m very detail-driven and idea-led, while Malaika brings experience and a broader, long-term perspective. That difference actually works in our favour – it allows us to balance fresh ideas and make stronger decisions together,” she said.
Malaika’s constant push has encouraged and shaped Nagpal’s approach toward entrepreneurship today.
“She has taught me that building a business is as much about self-belief and decision-making as it is about systems and strategy, and it’s given me a strong foundation for everything I hope to build going forward,” Nagpal explained.
Working with experienced people like Malaika and Dhaval hasn’t been an easy journey for Nagpal, who is the youngest among the co-founders. But she shows up every single day as her best version, even on days when the stress is overwhelming.
“There are days when it feels overwhelming, but those are also the days that push you to grow the most. Staying curious, trusting your instincts, and learning to balance pressure with positivity, all while keeping your team motivated is what shapes you as an entrepreneur,” she added.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)