More than three decades after opening its first restaurant in Pune, Little Italy is entering a new chapter with Little Italy Reserve, its flagship experience in Shivajinagar. Opening in October 2026, Reserve brings together Little Italy, its Italian-Mediterranean dining experience; Tutto Bene, a specialty café centred around coffee, bakery and relaxed daytime dining; and Lily, a cocktail-led after-dark expression shaped by Mediterranean flavours, music and a more playful energy. Together, they create an all-day destination that moves from morning coffee and long lunches to aperitivo, dinner, cocktails and music after dark.
At the centre of the experience is The Mediterranean Way of Life, allowing Little Italy to retain its Italian identity while opening the table to a wider Mediterranean influence. Reserve brings together food, beverage, coffee, music, design and service across different parts of the day, while retaining the warmth, generosity and familiarity that have defined the brand for generations.
Founded in Pune in 1989 by Raj Mehta, Little Italy has grown over the decades while retaining the warmth and familiarity of its beginnings. Today, Amrut Mehta, managing director of the Little Italy Group and Concept Lead for Little Italy Reserve and Lily, is carrying this legacy forward with a new expression of the brand. Building on his father’s vision, Amrut brings a contemporary perspective to the next chapter of Little Italy, reimagining the experience for a new generation while preserving the values that have shaped the brand.
At Reserve, the food retains the elements that have defined Little Italy for generations while expanding the culinary conversation. Long-standing favourites remain an important part of the menu, including Nachos, Pasta del Barone, Pasta Barbaresca, Lasagne, Sicilia and Chocolate Bomb. These sit alongside new dishes that draw from the broader Mediterranean, with influences from Greece, Spain, France Turkey and the Levant
The culinary philosophy centres on “an elevated experience with the flavours you remember.” Beloved classics share the spotlight with bold reinterpretations, where unexpected textures, inventive accompaniments and tableside theatre turn familiarity into discovery. The intention is not to make Little Italy unfamiliar, but to present its strongest ideas with greater focus and craft.
The culinary direction is led by Alessandro Comis, executive chef for Little Italy Reserve, from Sicily, whose approach keeps Italian technique at the centre while allowing the menu to travel across the Mediterranean. Pizza, handmade pasta, risotto, breads, cheese, tomatoes and olive oil remain foundational.
As the evening unfolds, Lily, Reserve’s dedicated cocktail bar and after-dark expression, takes centre stage. Inspired by the Mediterranean way of life, its drinks programme follows the mood of the evening: bright, aperitivo-led pours at Golden Hour, produce-led cocktails in At the Table, and richer, deeper flavours in After Dark.
The kitchen and bar speak the same language, sharing a Mediterranean pantry where ingredients find different expressions on the plate and in the glass. Created specifically to complement the cocktails, the bar bites transform familiar dishes into playful, shareable portions, encouraging guests to order another round, try something unexpected and settle into the evening.
Reserve brings together several expressions under one roof. Tutto Bene is a specialty cafe and Gelateria, that brings together thoughtfully brewed coffee, fresh bakes, breakfast favourites, cakes, pastries, house-made gelato and café classics for any time of day.
The Shivajinagar property is intended to become the blueprint for future Reserve locations, with an ambition to establish Reserve in five to eight more cities by 2030, while strengthening Little Italy’s position in vegetarian Italian and Mediterranean hospitality.
Raj Mehta, founder, Little Italy Group, said, “Little Italy has always been a family restaurant at heart, becoming part of birthdays, celebrations, first dates and everyday memories for generations. Reserve is about carrying that connection forward while creating an experience that reflects how people eat, meet and spend time together today. The Italian roots remain, but the table now travels further along the Mediterranean coast.”
Amrut Mehta, managing director, Little Italy Group and Concept Lead for Little Italy Reserve and Lily, said, “Reserve represents our evolution from a traditional restaurant proposition into a more integrated hospitality experience. By bringing dining, cocktails and café culture together, we are creating a format that responds to changing consumer lifestyles while building on Little Italy’s established strengths. Pune is the starting point for this next phase of growth.”
With Little Italy Reserve, the group is also looking towards the future of the concept. Following its introduction in Pune, Hyderabad and Jaipur are among the next cities planned for expansion. The vision is to take this contemporary Mediterranean experience to more markets while building on the legacy of Little Italy.
Published On Oct 27, 2026 at 08:00 PM IST
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