Tucked away in Worli, Kathiwada City House has long been one of Mumbai’s most discreet cultural sanctuaries — a 1940s Art Deco bungalow where heritage, art, and ideas quietly converge. Envisioned and stewarded by Digvijay Singh Kathiwada, the House enters a new chapter this January, opening its doors as a cultural landmark while preserving the spirit of the Kathiwada legacy.
The reopening begins with Circle Sixty-Nine, the House’s bistro and the natural point of entry into its wider cultural world. Long appreciated by those familiar with it, the bistro now takes on renewed significance as food becomes a central narrative rather than a supporting act. The food and beverage programme is curated in collaboration with Aditi Dugar of Bar Paradox Mumbai and Masque Restaurant, whose disciplined and thoughtful approach shapes some of the city’s most respected dining destinations.
Guests can expect additions to a menu already known to regulars, alongside seasonal offerings and a newly introduced cocktail programme, complemented by the bistro’s existing wine selections. Subtle updates to lighting and ambience enhance the experience, while garden-facing terraces offer a rare sense of openness in the city.
Kathiwada City House functions as a layered cultural space where gardens, galleries, and intimate rooms flow naturally into one another. Art, craft, design, literature, food, and wellness coexist without hierarchy. Neither gallery nor museum, the House resists rigid formats and transactional models, allowing visitors to engage with culture in ways that feel personal and unhurried.
“Kathiwada City House was established as a place of thought and continuity rather than exclusivity,” says Digvijay Singh Kathiwada. “Shaped by the belief that culture — whether expressed through food, art, or design — flourishes when allowed to evolve naturally, opening the House to a wider public is not a departure from its founding principles but a return to them.”
In the months ahead, the House will continue to evolve through new spaces including a sculpture court, contemporary art room, sports memorabilia room, and collaborative pop-ups. Programming will extend to artist group shows, gallery collaborations, culinary residencies, wellness experiences, design showcases, and sport-led cultural events — allowing deeper engagement with the city while retaining a sense of restraint and purpose.
Over the past four years, Kathiwada City House has developed a considered programme of cultural engagement, hosting exhibitions, screenings, conversations, workshops, and collaborative gatherings. Wellness forms an integral part of the experience, with yoga, sound healing, meditation circles, sip-and-paint mornings, and visioning gatherings offering moments of pause designed to feel intimate rather than performative.
At the heart of the House lies the Central Gallery, an evolving space featuring rotating exhibitions alongside works from the family’s collection. Introducing what may be Mumbai’s first dine-in museum experience, the gallery hosts private seated dinners and cultural gatherings for eight to twenty guests, encouraging prolonged engagement with art rather than passive viewing.
The Sun Room offers a quieter counterpoint, filled with natural light and vintage furniture, inviting guests to read or pause. The KCH Library, located beside the bistro, continues to host intimate family lunches and private dinners. Two new private dining rooms further expand the House’s offering, including one located within the Central Gallery, allowing dining to unfold alongside art and design curated by Sangita Devi Kathiwada.
Rooted in a multi-generational commitment to art and culture, the Kathiwada collection spans antiquarian, modern, and contemporary works — from paintings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and glassware to sports memorabilia, rare musical instruments, and original vinyl records. Culture here is not static, but lived, layered, and shared.
While Mumbai is home to many members-only spaces, Kathiwada City House was never intended to be one of them. It positions itself as a shared cultural space where access is shaped by curiosity and participation rather than formality. Existing members continue to engage through a digital platform, while new memberships are available based on alignment and engagement.
Kathiwada City House’s opening reflects a broader shift in how Mumbai engages with culture — inviting moments of quiet in a city defined by constant movement, and asking a simple but resonant question: can we pause and reflect?
