29 March,2026 10:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Nasrin Modak Siddiqi
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Oour charming courtyard, with its uneven stones and pebbled pathways, has claimed its fair share of high heels. One evening, an elegant guest stepped out, took three confident steps, and twisted her foot in the gravel, snapping off a long heel. There was a moment of silence before she burst out laughing, and said, "Well, I guess this is why people say Olive keeps you grounded."
We've always treated our teams like family, and I'm proud of how many have stayed with us for years. That continuity has been key to our success. Today, many of India's most exciting spaces are led by people who've grown with us, and that, for me, is one of the most meaningful parts of our legacy.
What stays with me most, though, is how Olive has quietly become part of people's lives across generations. In the early years, it was a playground for a young, energetic crowd. People came for dinner, stayed for drinks, and nights stretched effortlessly. Friendships were formed, birthdays celebrated, and romances began. Years later, many of those guests still walk through the blue doors, now pushing strollers or holding their children's hands. Sunday brunch has become a family ritual.
When we opened Olive Bar & Kitchen in November 2000, Bandra wasn't the restaurant hub it is today. It felt like we'd built a dreamy Mediterranean courtyard in a quiet neighbourhood, hoping people would find it. On opening week, someone said, "It feels like a house party that got slightly out of hand." That's the best compliment we received.
The idea was to build a place where you could walk in for a drink, bump into friends, stay for dinner, and still be there at 2 am. People did exactly that. It was something closer to a social club disguised as a restaurant.
Long before takeovers became common, we hosted a takeover by 1 Tippling Place, US. At a time when our cocktail culture was still finding feet, their bartenders crafting precise, spirit-forward drinks with house-made syrups, bitters, and beautifully cut ice, felt quietly revolutionary. It felt less like a takeover and more like a masterclass in serious cocktail-making.
We created âThank God It's Thursday', a night that didn't compete with the usual party circuit but carved its own identity. The courtyard would fill up, the music would rise, and people who came for one drink would still be there hours later. We worked with a range of collaborators long before promoters became central to nightlife, including Jihan Advani, Mona Juneja, Butter, Erika Packard, and others. Today, it is the country's longest-running Thursday bar night.
One of the most enduring memories of Olive is its blue doors. They were meant to be solid, slightly weathered wooden doors painted Mediterranean blue to reflect the relaxed, European vibe. Over time, they took on a life of their own with paparazzi waiting outside to click Bollywood and the city's social set, against the familiar backdrop.
For movie stars, Olive quietly became a refuge where they could slip in, settle into a corner under the trees, and enjoy an evening with friends without being disturbed or feeling watched. At the time when rumours were rife about a new star giving Shah Rukh a run for his money. One evening, Shah Rukh was dining when Hrithik Roshan walked in with friends. The room went still. Shah Rukh walked over, and as everyone braced for tension, he opened his arms and hugged him warmly. They spoke briefly, wished each other well, and returned to their tables as the room resumed its hum. Even today, Olive doesn't make a fuss about who walks in.
Long before pop-ups became fashionable, we began inviting chefs and restaurants to take over Olive for a few days. One of the most memorable was Thalassa. For a few nights, the courtyard felt like a tiny Greek island, with loud music, plates smashing, and drinks flowing freely. Guests were dancing between tables. It was a reminder that restaurants should feel like festivals once in a while.
Over the years, we've curated events that evolved with people's interests, from reading circles to showcasing leading fashion designers, to wine clubs. As interest in art grew, we started an art club featuring talks by Anjali Ela Menon, Nitin Bhayana, and others, along with exhibitions that made art accessible and collectable. Long before pre-loved fashion became a trend, we worked with Seams for Dreams, led by Evelyn Sharma, hosting events where celebrities, designers, and friends donated pieces from their wardrobes, turning Olive into a glamorous charity closet.
Olive has hosted its fair share of themed nights, including Moroccan evenings, toga parties, prom nights, even a back-to-school theme. I reached out to Mona Juneja to help shape some of these, and together with Harpreet Baweja and Acquin Pais, they launched Butter, curating memorable nights at Olive and across the city. What I've always loved is how seriously guests took the themes. People arrived in full costume, completely committed, and suddenly the restaurant felt like a film set. The toga party in particular - let's say some photos should probably never resurface.
Every year, when Olive's anniversary rolls around, we throw a party that feels worthy of the journey. What begins as a small celebration inevitably turns into an all-day, all-night affair, with chefs cooking outside, DJs and musicians in the courtyard, and friends of the restaurant dropping in and refusing to leave. By midnight, it feels like the entire Olive family - guests, staff, chefs, musicians - is celebrating together. Those nights remind me why we started this in the first place.
People often ask why Olive feels the way it does, with its courtyards, corners, and slightly imperfect spaces. The truth is, the space dictated everything. When we first saw the property, there were beautiful old trees that everyone suggested we cut down so we could design properly. Instead, we built around them.
When the courtyard tree was once infected, we couldn't bring ourselves to cut it down. We treated it and let it stand, lit up with fairy lights. Looking back, those trees gave Olive its soul. They make the space feel like it exists in its own little world.
