ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
LA-based Indian restaurant Badmaash debuts on Abbot Kinney
The Venice opening is the brand’s third Southern California location after Downtown Los Angeles, which opened in 2013, and Fairfax, which followed in 2018.
-
1759953093.png)
Staff Reporter - Fri, 15, May 2026
- 03:49 EDT
- 17
Since launching in Los Angeles, BADMAASH has built a following through its reinterpretation of Indian cuisine and pop-up events in cities including London. / Badmaash
Indian restaurant BADMAASH unveiled its new Venice location on Abbot Kinney on March 26, marking the latest expansion of the Los Angeles-based hospitality brand founded by brothers Nakul and Arjun Mahendro.
The Venice opening is the brand’s third Southern California location after Downtown Los Angeles, which opened in 2013, and Fairfax, which followed in 2018. The restaurant said the new venue represents its “most sophisticated” concept to date, combining Indian dishes with a larger beverage program and a redesigned dining space.
Since launching in Los Angeles, BADMAASH has built a following through its reinterpretation of Indian cuisine and pop-up events in cities including London.
“Venice has always felt like a natural extension of our brand,” Nakul Mahendro, CEO and co-founder of BADMAASH, said in a statement. “It’s a place where creativity, culture, and food intersect, and we felt it was the right time to bring our illest concept here.”
The menu combines existing dishes with new additions. Signature items include Butter Chicken, Dad’s Famous Coconut Curry Mussels and Chicken Tikka Poutine. New offerings include Garlic Naan with garlic confit and green garlic butter, Ricotta Toast with seasonal fruit and tamarind jam, Hamachi Crudo with ginger and crispy garlic, Oyster Mushrooms “Laal Maas,” Lamb Chops “Laal Maas,” and Lamb Neck Korma.
Other dishes include Steak Frites served with a “meat masala” au poivre sauce and a Saffron Tres Leches Cake topped with pistachios.
The Venice location also introduces the brand’s first large-scale beverage program. The cocktail and wine menu was developed with Steve LaFountain, whose previous work includes beverage programs at Horses, Little Prince in Santa Monica and Cliff’s Edge in Silver Lake.
“We’ve always wanted to show that Indian cuisine can shine as bar food,” Nakul Mahendro said. “No one has quite cracked the balance of Indian flavors and cocktails, but with Steve’s expertise, we knew we could push the boundaries and create something truly unexpected.”
Cocktails include a BADMAASH Dirty Martini made with olive oil-washed Grey Goose and Bianco vermouth, a Mezcal Margarita with tepache and habanero, and a bourbon-based Date Jam Cocktail.
The restaurant’s interiors were designed by the Mahendro brothers in collaboration with design firm Preen Inc. The venue includes several distinct dining areas, including a main dining room, a bar space, “The Gallery,” and a private area called “The Cave.”
The Gallery features a painting by artist Action Bronson inspired by “Street Fighter,” while seating in the room was designed by Los Angeles-based designer Guillermo Andrade and his fashion label 424 team. “The Cave” includes artwork by musician Tommy Genesis and a separate rear entrance.
“We’ve always wanted BADMAASH to feel like more than a restaurant,” Arjun Mahendro, COO and co-founder of BADMAASH, said in a statement. “Venice has a creativity and energy that really speaks to us. It’s the perfect place to bring our next chapter to life.”
In addition to its restaurants, BADMAASH has expanded into retail products and collaborations, including oat milk chai sold at Erewhon stores, bottled butter chicken sauce and branded merchandise.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login