Who would’ve thought a dosa cafe tucked into a quiet Bandra lane would become Mumbai’s latest obsession, without any ads, agencies, or influencers in sight? That’s exactly what happened with Benne, the soulful South Indian cafe that has pulled in long queues, 40k-plus Instagram followers, and even Bollywood celebs, all organically. The story began with Akhil Iyer and Shriya Narayan, a husband-wife duo with no background in hospitality. Like expectant parents preparing for their first child, they took workshops, watched videos, made mistakes, to build Benne from the ground, learning each element with care.
In a candid chat with IMPACT, Akhil Iyer, co-owner of Benne Bombay, shares how their love for food turned into a full-fledged movement. He opens up about the trials and errors, the power of storytelling, the growing community, and why staying real, fun, and fully involved is still their biggest strength.
So what does it take to turn a tiny cafe into a viral sensation without a single rupee spent on marketing? Let’s find out.
