Mumbai, June 29: Bringing authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas, classic Italian comfort food, and the easy familiarity of a true neighbourhood restaurant to Bandra, Amichi is built on a simple belief: that authentic Italian food deserves a stronger place in Mumbai’s dining landscape.
At a time when Italian cuisine is often adapted, reinvented, and reimagined, Amichi takes a more traditional approach. Leading with the techniques, ingredients, and flavours that have defined Italian cooking for generations, the restaurant focuses on simplicity, quality, and authenticity, allowing the food to speak for itself. That same philosophy extends beyond the menu and into the experience itself. Set within an intimate 16-seater in Bandra, Amichi draws inspiration from the neighbourhood restaurants found across Italy, warm, welcoming spaces where guests are encouraged to stay a little longer. From its slow-fermented Neapolitan-style pizzas and carefully sourced ingredients to its lived-in, character-filled interiors, every element has been designed to capture the comfort, familiarity, and hospitality that sit at the heart of Italian culture.
The name itself reflects that philosophy. “Amichi” references the Italian word for friends, while also echoing “Aamchi”, the Marathi word for “ours”. That overlap was intentional and became the emotional starting point for space.
The menu features pizzas such as the Margherita, Burrata Con Pesto, Quattro Formaggi, Diavola, Parma Ham, and the signature Pizza Amichi, alongside antipasti including Bruschetta Classica, Mozzarella in Carrozza, Parmigiana di Melanzane, and Fiori di Zucca. Designed for sharing and lingering over, each dish reflects the Italian belief and some dishes from that were made by the founder’s beloved grandmother.
The dessert menu takes a similarly thoughtful approach, drawing inspiration from regional Italian flavours to create a refined yet comforting finale to the meal. The selection celebrates classic Italian indulgence, with the signature Panna Cotta standing out as a highlight, delicate, silky, and rooted in timeless simplicity.
Behind Amichi are founders Angelo and Mishal, whose friendship began with a chance meeting in the Maldives. Coming from completely different worlds, Angelo from Italy and Mishal from Mumbai, the two instantly connected over food, travel, humour, and a shared appreciation for the role hospitality plays in bringing people together. What began as a friendship eventually evolved into conversations around opening a restaurant together, one that would honour Angelo’s Italian roots while finding a home in Mumbai.
That spirit of friendship is deeply woven into the fabric of Amichi. The space feels intimate, warm, and personal, with thoughtful details that reflect their journey together, from photographs capturing moments from their friendship to playful hand-painted illustrations of
them. Amichi is designed to feel like an extension of that bond, a cozy, inviting space where people can gather with friends, share great food and linger over conversations.
Beyond the food itself, Amichi is equally committed to investing in the people behind it. Prior to opening, the founders brought a chef from Italy to Mumbai to work alongside the kitchen team, training them in traditional Italian recipes, techniques, and methods. The initiative forms part of a larger vision to create opportunities for growth within hospitality, equipping team members with specialised skills while preserving the authenticity of the cuisine being served.
“The idea for Amichi really began with Angelo’s search for pizza in Mumbai and the disappointment that came with. That led to many conversations about authenticity, tradition, and the kind of restaurant we felt was missing in the city. When we decided to build Amichi, we were clear about one thing: we weren’t interested in reinventing Italian food. We wanted to celebrate it as it has been enjoyed in homes and neighbourhood restaurants across Italy for generations. Amichi is our way of bringing that experience to Mumbai”, says Mishal Varma, Co-founder of Amichi.
With its focus on authentic Neapolitan pizzas, traditional Italian flavours, and a deep respect for Italian culinary traditions, Amichi brings a fresh perspective to Mumbai’s dining scene. As it opens its doors in Bandra, the restaurant aims to offer diners an experience that is both authentically Italian and distinctly at home in the city.