Little Italy, one of India’s pioneering vegetarian Italian restaurant brands, has opened its new restaurant in Lonavala, bringing its 35+ year legacy to a new destination. The brand began its journey in 1989 and today has more than 45 outlets across 20+ cities in India and Dubai.

Located between Pune and Mumbai, Lonavala marks a new chapter for Little Italy as the brand looks to offer more than just a dining experience. The new restaurant has been designed as a relaxed destination where guests can enjoy food, spend time with family and friends, and explore experiences beyond the meal.

Spread across more than 11,000 sq. ft., Little Italy Lonavala offers seating for 110 guests, along with an additional banquet space for parties and a combination of indoor and outdoor seating. The setting brings together the warmth associated with Little Italy with a contemporary and relaxed environment, making it suitable for families, couples, groups of friends, young professionals and weekend travellers.

Italian cuisine remains at the heart of the menu, featuring Little Italy’s popular pizzas, pastas and other Italian favourites. The menu also includes authentic Neapolitan pizzas and signature dishes such as Barberesca and Roman Pizza, along with desserts including Tiramisu. To cater to larger groups and varied preferences, the Lonavala restaurant also offers a selection of Asian, Mexican and Indian dishes, giving guests a wider choice under one roof.

Speaking about the launch, Raj Mehta, Chairman, Little Italy, said, “Little Italy has always grown with the people who have grown with us. What began in 1989 has today become a brand that has been experienced by generations of guests. Lonavala is an exciting new chapter for us. We want to create a place where food, time and experiences come together. While our roots remain the same, we are also looking at new ways to connect with the next generation.”

Amrut Mehta, MD, Little Italy, said, “With Little Italy Lonavala, we wanted to create more than just a restaurant. We wanted to create a place where people can come together, spend time and enjoy different experiences. Little Italy Escapes is an important part of this, with experiences around food, music, leisure and activities, and eventually stays as well. When people come to a destination like Lonavala, they often come with family, friends or for celebrations and events, so having a variety of cuisines and experiences in one place makes it more convenient and enjoyable. Whether it is a weekend outing, a family gathering, a corporate event or a wedding, we want people to be able to make the most of their time here. The idea is simple; we want Little Italy Lonavala to be a place where the experience goes well beyond the dining table.”

One of the key highlights of the new property is its focus on experiences. Little Italy will introduce The Brundowner – Brunch to Sundown, a weekend experience designed to encourage guests to spend more time at the property.

The experience begins with a leisurely brunch and continues through the afternoon with activities including monsoon walks, photography walks, painting, pottery, pizza-making, pasta experiences, board games, Books & Brews and Chai & Stories. Guests can choose the activities they want to participate in and enjoy the day at their own pace.

The afternoon then moves into a Sundowner featuring music, sharing bites and beverages, giving guests an opportunity to unwind while enjoying the Lonavala setting.

Little Italy is also developing Little Italy Escapes – Stay, which will bring together dining and curated stay experiences through hospitality partnerships. The concept aims to create a destination that guests visit not only for a meal but also to spend a memorable part of their day.

The Lonavala launch also reflects Little Italy’s plans to evolve for a new generation of diners. The brand is working on Little Italy reserve, a younger and more contemporary expression of Little Italy that will retain the food, warmth and legacy the brand is known for, along with new additions. More details about Little Italy reserve will be announced at a later stage.

The Lonavala restaurant was introduced through The Founder’s Table, an intimate dining experience hosted by Chairman Raj Mehta and MD Amrut. The format gave guests an opportunity to experience the story of Little Italy through food, from its beginnings and Italian roots to its expansion into Lonavala and its plans for the future.

With its new Lonavala property, Little Italy is bringing its familiar vegetarian Italian dining legacy into a new setting, combining its popular food with a relaxed atmosphere and experiences designed for today’s weekend traveller.

• Location: Gat No. 303/2, 303/3C and 303/3D, Devghar, Maharashtra (nestled in the hills near Lonavala).
  
• Timings: 12 noon to 11 pm.