The Merchants Opens at Fairmont Mumbai: A New Wave Foodhall Redefining Global Dining in the Heart of the City

Mumbai, 19 June 2025 — What if dining felt like crossing continents? A map without borders—its aromas, the compass, its kitchens, a chart of untold voyages. Welcome to The Merchants—a New Wave Foodhall at Fairmont Mumbai, where the spirit of discovery is served fresh, from flame to fork. 

With 306 covers, it stands as the largest foodhall in the city, bringing together scale, soul, and storytelling. Inspired by intrepid merchants and the spirit of Mumbai’s iconic dabbawalas, this vibrant venue celebrates culinary storytelling. Six theatre kitchens create an immersive dining experience, showcasing India’s Nawabi traditions, zesty Southeast Asian flavours, and comforting European classics—including Italian soul food, delicate Japanese plates, and bold Korean grills. Brimming with energy, it’s a cultural crossroads where shared meals weave connections—a global exchange of tiffins, blending traditions and tastes from Czechoslovakia to Chettinad, Bavaria to Benaras.

Here, the kitchen isn’t hidden—it’s the stage itself. Chefs move like storytellers, their craft unfolding in real time. Dishes aren’t simply chosen; they’re discovered—unexpected, sensorial, and immersive, like souvenirs from a journey across kitchens without borders. The clatter of ladles meets the rhythm of storytelling, with every plate rewriting expectations. No leftovers. No labels. Only dishes made à la minute—a modern reimagining of the traditional spread. With every dish prepared fresh to order, the focus is on flavour integrity and sustainability. This made-to-order approach reduces waste, allowing guests to witness—and even shape—their meals, fostering a deeper connection between kitchen and table.

The Merchants’ signature dishes traverse continents, each plate telling a story of craftsmanship and culinary curiosity. From the Indian kitchen come the melt-in-your-mouth Gucchi & Safed Khumbh Gilawat, regal Gosht Ki Galouti, and fiery Khandeshi Chicken Sukka, alongside vegetarian gems like the tangy Dahi Kebab and Bharleli Vangi, stuffed with bold regional flavours. The Asian kitchen dazzles with delicate Chor Muang Gai dumplings and soulful Hainanese Chicken Rice, while Japan makes a bold appearance with Pork Chashu Miso Ramen and the refined Hamachi Carpaccio. European influences arrive in many forms—from the earthy comfort of the Porcini Cappuccino to the creamy Wild Mushroom Risotto and crisp Sourdough Pizzas. The Butternut Experience evokes autumn in three textures, while the Black Rice Shrimp Risotto crowns coastal Italian flavours with Sarga Farms tomatoes and Shrimp Tempura. A British classic is reimagined in the Harbour-Style Fish & Chips, served with mushy peas, tartare, and Ishka Farms capers. 

Adding a touch of decadence to this culinary theatre, The Chocolate Atelier unveils a luxurious new experience that immerses guests in the refined artistry of chocolate-making. Showcasing hand-crafted confections in a richly sensory setting, the Atelier offers not only indulgent tastings but also interactive workshops, where guests are invited to discover the craft behind each exquisite creation. It’s not just dessert—it’s a finale, a performance in its own right.

The beverage programme doesn’t follow rules — it rewrites them. Expect cold-pressed juice infusions that sip like perfume, barrel-aged coffee that broods with complexity, and tea spritzes that flirt with tradition. The Health Bar champions this spirit with wellness-forward blends, botanical tonics, and elixirs crafted to awaken both palate and presence. Whether you're basking in the brunch glow or deep in post-dinner musings, the cocktails are anything but predictable. Try the Tiramisu Martini — vodka, Amarula, a bold shot of espresso, and a whisper of cocoa — a drink that plays on texture, aroma, and memory.

The design of The Merchants is a quiet symphony of Mumbai’s Art Deco soul and the enduring spirit of its dabbawalas. As guests ascend, they pass hand-embroidered portraits—crafted with intricate threads and Deco motifs—that honour the city’s street vendors: a milkman with glinting cans, a cloth-seller with a swirl of fabric, a vegetable vendor framed in quiet dignity. Sculptural tiffins in soft greys and golds cascade by the staircase, echoing the daily rhythm of delivery and devotion. Inside, copper filigree and monochrome marble meet velvet and brushed metal, forming a canvas where every surface tells a story. The journey continues through etched panels and miniature sculptures that trace the dabbawala’s graceful choreography across the city. Overhead, mirrored tiffins from around the world float like memory and movement in dialogue. In the private dining rooms, this narrative deepens—through poetic vignettes of exchange, from oversized toothpick installations to a tender mural of a boy handing a dabba to a girl. Every detail evokes not just a place, but a living, breathing heritage—reflected in every plate that arrives at your table.

“With The Merchants, we’ve not just crafted a dining experience—we’ve set the stage for a culinary performance,” says Prasad Metrani, Director of Culinary at Fairmont Mumbai. “It’s a space where the art of cooking is constantly evolving, where chefs step into the spotlight, engaging with guests in real time, and where every dish is a carefully orchestrated act of passion, purpose, and flair. Here, dining becomes a true sensory journey—stimulating sight, scent, sound, touch, and taste—to create moments that linger far beyond the table. It’s about connecting people, celebrating flavours, and leaving a lasting impression.” 

Whether you’re gathering for a family feast, closing a deal over lunch, losing yourself in a solo culinary escape, or toasting a new beginning at Sunday brunch, The Merchants is more than a destination—it’s a voyage. A sensory promenade where borders blur, flavours collide, and each visit becomes a new chapter in the ever-evolving story of global taste and timeless connection.

The Merchants Timings:

24 Hours Operational

Meal Periods:

• Breakfast (Weekdays – Monday to Friday): 06:30 AM – 10:30 AM

• Breakfast (Weekends – Saturday & Sunday): 06:30 AM – 11:00 AM

• Lunch: 12:00 PM – 03:00 PM

• Dinner: 07:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• À la carte: 24 Hours

Reservations: 

• 📞 +91 80975 55901

• 📧 dining.mumbai@fairmont.com

• 🔗 https://www.sevenrooms.com/explore/themerchantsmumbai/reservations/create/search

Address: F&B Level, Fairmont Mumbai, T2 Terminal, T2-C06, C.T.S. No. 1405 (Part), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400099