In the era of Benne and Rameshwaram, a new Southern Indian restaurant has dared to enter the club! Say hello to Gourami, nestled in the lanes of Powai, quietly bringing out the wild and unknown side of South Indian cuisine to Mumbai’s vivid restaurant scene.
This Powai Restaurant Serves South Indian Food Beyond Benne Dosas
When anybody suggests having South Indian for dinner, the maximum number of people will agree with this point that we think of dosa, idlis and vadais. But there’s so much more South Indian cuisine that’s waiting for the foodies to unlock. That’s why we visited Gourami, a place that made us change our opinion about Southern Indian food and how non-vegetarian options fit in so beautifully! The minute we heard that, it was like a “say no more!” moment for us.
The Dishes We’d Happily Order Again
Some dishes are good. Some make you start planning your next visit before you’ve even paid the bill.
Keema Dosa: At Gourami, the Keema Dosa falls firmly into the second category. The dosa stayed crisp despite the generous filling, and the keema was perfectly balanced. There was enough of it to pack flavour into every bite without making the dosa soggy. It was spicy, comforting and probably one of the best things we ate all evening.
Kura: Then there was the Kura. We paired it with a Malabar Parotta. Honestly, if you’re ordering this, the only cutlery you need is your hands to dig in right away. Tear into the flaky parotta with your hands and scoop up the rich curry the way it deserves to be eaten. The combination felt hearty and satisfying without trying too hard.
Chettinad Sliders: The Chettinad Sliders were another surprise hit. The charred chicken inside the house-made bread was succulent. The minty yoghurt sauce added a boost of freshness that cuts the meaty taste.
The Podi Pizza That Completely Won Me Over
Let’s address the pizza. I’ve never really understood the appeal of Indianised pizzas. It’s like the Indian spices and gourmet bread are fighting. That’s exactly why the Podi Pizza caught me off guard.
At first glance, it seems simple. Cheese pizza topped generously with podi. But then you notice something unusual. Instead of oregano and chilli flakes, the pizza arrives with a small bowl of ghee and extra podi on the side.
It sounds strange, but it tastes absolutely brilliant.
The texture of podi and the warmth of ghee tie everything together. Every bite somehow feels richer without becoming overwhelming. We finished the entire pizza far quicker than we’d like to admit. The Pepper Fry Pizza deserves a mention, too. Juicy pieces of well-seasoned chicken sat on the house-made base and delivered bold flavour. If Gourami wanted to prove fusion pizzas can work, mission accomplished.
The Smaller Plates Still Hold Their Own Crown
Before the larger dishes arrived, we worked through several starters.
Uraval: The Babycorn Uraval was one of the strongest. The ghee comes through almost immediately, followed by the heat from the chilli paste. Then the cashew smooths everything out with rich, slightly spicy and genuinely addictive dry gravy.
The Arbi 65 had a lovely crisp texture and was cooked well throughout with perfect tanginess.
The Papadam Basket worked nicely as a sharing plate with rice, potato and banana chips. The tomato chutney was the star of the show, while the coriander chutney and mango made for good dips.
The Ghee Roast arrived glistening with ghee, packed with flavour, and the richness lingered pleasantly on the palate.
Save Some Room For Dessert
You’ll thank yourself later.
Unlike the crumbly Mysore Paks many of us are used to, this version was moist and dense. The ghee flavour came through nicely. For a person who doesn’t like too much sweetness, I might not order again, but sweet tooths, however, will probably love it.
If you’re someone who enjoys filter coffee, this dessert is worth ordering. The coffee notes came through clearly and paired beautifully with the creamy milk-soaked cake. It felt rich but not overwhelming, making it easy to polish off.
But the real winner was the Payasam Brulee.
The crack of the caramelised sugar topping, followed by the creamy payasam underneath, created a combination of textures that worked beautifully. Rich, comforting and not overly sweet. It was easily the best dessert on the table.
The Drinks That Give A Serious Nostalgic Hit!
Some restaurants treat beverages as an afterthought. Gourami doesn’t.
The Rasam Shots arrived with bite-sized fried ghee podi idlis on the side, and together they made for one of the most memorable pairings of the meal. The rasam was warm, peppery and packed with tangy flavours that instantly woke up the palate. Follow that with a crisp podi-coated idli, and you have a combination that’s equal parts comfort food and clever bar snack.
The Kokan Whisper was as beautiful to look at as it was to drink. The guava came through first, bringing natural sweetness, while hints of curry leaves added an earthy depth you don’t usually find in mocktails. Just when the drink settled in, a subtle spice kicked in at the finish, keeping every sip interesting and preventing it from becoming overly fruity.
The Tarang mocktail is a nostalgic drink that captures the flavours of the iconic nannari beautifully. It’s a light, refreshing and easy-to-drink mocktail that also acts as a digestive drink.
The Toasted Slice was the most indulgent out of the more creative drinks on the menu. The cake toast that accompanied it was a cute touch, but a richer, softer chocolate one would have gone down a treat with the drink and improved the whole experience.
If ginger-forward drinks are your thing, the Zing Zing Ninja won’t disappoint. Guava was the first, giving a natural sweetness and hints of curry leaves, adding an earthy depth you don’t typically find in mocktails.
Would We Go Back Again?
We aren’t walking but running back to Gourami if we are in Powai! If you’re visiting Gourami expecting another dosa-and-filter-coffee spot, you’re missing the point. The restaurant shines when it steps outside the familiar, whether that’s through a stellar Keema Dosa, a comforting Kura with Parotta or a Podi Pizza that somehow makes complete sense.
Cover Image Courtesy: Nishant Chawla, Supplied
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.
First Published: June 19, 2026 8:10 PM
FAQs
Where in Gourami?
Gourami is located in Powai, Mumbai.
Does Gourami serve non-vegetarian food?
Yes. The menu includes several non-vegetarian dishes, including chicken-based appetisers and mains.