Armani/Caffè Mumbai in the heart of Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex, luxury takes on a fresh flavor. Nestled within India’s largest luxury mall, an Italian masterpiece awaits. This is no ordinary café—it’s India’s first Armani/Caffe. Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance is once again reshaping India’s retail scene in grand style.
Reliance Brands Ltd., a subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures, has introduced Armani/Caffè Mumbai India, setting up this luxurious spot in Jio World Plaza. As the fifth Armani/Caffè Mumbai worldwide, it brings a taste of Milan’s elegance to Mumbai’s vibrant commercial hub.
Armani/Caffè: A New Era of Luxury Dining at Jio World (toptrendshub.com)
Without much fanfare, the café opened its doors alongside a lineup of elite brands like Bulgari, Dior, and Louis Vuitton at Jio World Plaza. Sumeet Yadav, the head of Hamleys and Pret India at Reliance Brands, proudly announced the opening on social media, calling it another dream come true. He also shared a sneak peek of the stylish new café with his followers.
Armani/Caffe’s Arrival: A New Era of Luxury Dining in Mumbai
In a major move, Reliance Brands Ltd. (RBL), part of Reliance Retail, launched India’s first Armani/Caffe, setting the stage for an elevated dining experience. Situated in the heart of Mumbai’s commercial district, Bandra Kurla Complex, this luxurious café finds its home in Jio World Plaza, India’s largest luxury mall. Known for housing some of the world’s most iconic brands like Bulgari, Dior, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, the mall adds yet another feather to its cap with Armani/Caffe.
Jio World Plaza isn’t just another mall; it’s a hub where elegance meets extravagance. From its glimmering interiors to the world-class service, everything about the mall screams luxury. With the launch of Armani/Caffe, Reliance is taking another bold step in catering to the elite. The café’s Milanese roots blend seamlessly with Mumbai’s high-energy environment, offering patrons a taste of refined Italian cuisine in the heart of India.
Sumeet Yadav, head of Hamleys and Pret India at Reliance Brands, proudly announced the café’s launch on LinkedIn, praising the team for their hard work in making this dream a reality. He shared images of the chic interior, giving a sneak peek into the latest hotspot for the city’s affluent crowd. This café isn’t just about food; it’s a full sensory experience, combining style, culture, and flavor.
What’s remarkable about Jio World Plaza is its ability to offer a wide range of experiences under one roof. Apart from Armani/Caffe, patrons can dine at other upscale restaurants like Si Nonna’s, Ladurée, and Café&Meal Muji. The addition of Pret A Manger and Gatsby’s Bar ensures there’s something for every palate, making the mall a culinary destination in its own right. This diverse offering is a reflection of Reliance Retail’s commitment to providing world-class experiences, not just products.
Armani’s Global Expansion and Reliance’s Growing Portfolio
Armani’s venture into the food and beverage industry began in 1998, with the opening of a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris. Since then, the luxury brand has expanded its culinary empire across the globe, with over 20 restaurants. Armani/Caffe is not just about food; it’s a reflection of the brand’s philosophy—sophisticated, stylish, and luxurious. Each café is carefully crafted to reflect the culture and aesthetics of the Armani brand, offering a seamless blend of fashion and dining.
In India, this launch is a natural progression for Reliance Retail. Already a key partner with Giorgio Armani, Reliance has been retailing Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange, and EA7 products in the country. With the introduction of Armani/Caffe, the partnership now extends beyond fashion into lifestyle and dining. This café is the fifth Armani/Caffe globally, adding Mumbai to a list that includes luxury hotspots like Milan and Paris.
Jio World Plaza: A Hub for Iconic Global Brands
Interestingly, the idea of bringing Armani/Caffe to India was first reported by IndiaRetailing in 2022. Back then, Reliance Retail was in advanced talks with the Milan-based luxury brand to make this a reality. Talks were also underway with Phoenix Mall of Asia in Bengaluru to launch another Armani/Caffe. While Jio World Plaza has been chosen for the first café, it’s clear that the brand has big plans for India’s luxury dining scene.
Reliance Retail is no stranger to ambitious projects. With a portfolio of over 90 global and Indian brands, including names like Tiffany & Co., Valentino, Versace, and Zegna, the company is a powerhouse in India’s retail landscape. Operating more than 900 stores and 1249 shop-in-shops, Reliance Brands maintains a strong omnichannel presence, making it one of the most influential players in the market. The introduction of Armani/Caffe aligns with the company’s strategy to cater to India’s growing class of affluent, young consumers who are hungry for experiential dining.
As the café culture in India evolves, Reliance Retail is positioning itself at the forefront. By bringing high-end brands like Armani into the food and beverage space, they are tapping into a new market of luxury consumers who value experience as much as they do the products. The launch of Armani/Caffe is more than just another café opening—it’s a statement of intent from Reliance Retail, signaling their commitment to offering unparalleled luxury experiences to their customers.
Reliance Retail Expands Its Global Café Offerings with Armani/Caffé and EL&N
Reliance Retail is set to introduce two exciting global café brands, Armani/Caffé and EL&N, to India, signaling a new wave of luxurious dining experiences. The move comes after the company successfully launched Pret A Manger and Muji Cafés in the country, catering to a growing demand for high-end, experiential café culture among young, affluent Indians.
Reliance Brands, the division responsible for bringing these international brands to India, has already opened several outlets of the London-based Pret A Manger coffee chain. Pret A Manger offers a variety of fresh food and drinks, creating a loyal customer base. Building on that success, they recently launched the Muji Café at Jio World Plaza, Mumbai, where the Japanese brand serves artisan coffee and curated snacks.
Next in line are two globally renowned cafés: Armani/Caffé, an extension of the Armani fashion empire, and London’s EL&N, often dubbed “the world’s most Instagrammable café.” Armani/Caffé will bring a Michelin-starred dining experience, known for its refined Italian cuisine and elegant setting. EL&N, on the other hand, is famous for its vibrant interiors and photogenic décor, appealing to the social media-savvy crowd.
Reliance’s strategy clearly focuses on offering more than just food and drinks. The company is tapping into the growing trend of experiential dining, where consumers seek out unique, memorable experiences rather than simply a meal. With the launch of these two cafés, Reliance is poised to set new standards in India’s upscale café culture, appealing to the tastes of the country’s increasingly affluent urban population.
EL&N and Armani/Caffé: The Future of Luxury Cafes in India
In April 2023, EL&N signed a franchise agreement with Reliance Brands, marking its eighth market globally. EL&N, which operates more than 20 restaurants across Europe, the Middle East, and other regions, will soon open its first outlet in India. The café’s eye-catching aesthetics and lush decorations have made it a favorite among Instagram users, and Reliance expects the brand to attract a younger, trend-conscious audience in India.
Sources suggest that the first EL&N café will open in India either later this year or early next year. With locations already thriving in Italy, France, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, EL&N is poised to bring a new level of elegance and flair to India’s café scene. Reliance Brands sees this as an opportunity to cater to a niche market that values not only premium food and drinks but also an immersive environment that offers an Instagram-worthy experience.
The Fusion of Fashion and Gourmet Cuisine
Similarly, the Armani/Caffé project has been in the works for some time. In 2022, IndiaRetailing reported that Reliance Retail was in advanced talks with Armani to bring the luxurious café to India. Plans are underway to open the first Armani/Caffé at the Phoenix Mall of Asia in Bengaluru, with about 1,000 sq. ft. allocated for the high-end café. Another Armani/Caffé is likely to open at Jio World Plaza in Mumbai, further solidifying the city’s reputation as a hub for luxury dining and shopping.
Despite the rapid expansion of Pret A Manger outlets, Reliance plans to introduce Armani/Caffé and Muji Cafés more selectively, focusing on top-tier cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi. The intention is to keep these high-end chains exclusive, ensuring that they maintain their premium status. This calculated approach allows Reliance to balance accessibility with luxury, providing a unique experience for its upscale clientele.
As India’s café culture continues to evolve, Reliance Retail is at the forefront, curating a range of experiences that cater to different segments of the market. Whether it’s the minimalist elegance of Muji Café, the trend-setting interiors of EL&N, or the high-fashion sophistication of Armani/Caffé, Reliance is committed to offering the best of global café culture to Indian consumers.
Armani/Caffè Debuts in India: A New Chapter in Luxury Dining
Armani/Caffè has made its grand entrance into India, marking a significant milestone for the brand’s global expansion. Nestled inside Mumbai’s glitzy Jio World Plaza, this stylish café offers a taste of Milanese luxury to Indian diners. The opening of this café signals not just the growth of the Armani brand but also the rise of India’s premium dining scene, catering to the country’s increasingly affluent population.
Giorgio Armani envisions the brand as more than just fashion, expanding into the world of food and lifestyle. “I always wanted the Armani brand to become an expression of style as a lifestyle, of sophisticated simplicity as a sign of elegance in every field, and food, one of the most important elements of everyday life, could not be missing,” Armani says. This perfectly captures the essence of his brand’s move into the culinary space. The Armani name already thrives globally with over 20 cafes, bars, and restaurants across four continents, from Milan to New York, Tokyo to Dubai.
This latest addition, Armani/Caffè in Mumbai, stands as the first in India and South Asia. The café brings the same refined elegance and exceptional cuisine that defines the Armani brand globally. Whether diners indulge in a plate of potato gnocchi or sip on artisanal coffee, every detail reflects Armani’s signature style. With its doors now open, Mumbai’s luxury dining scene elevates to new heights, offering a high-end culinary experience right in the heart of the city.
