Gracias Granny in Belapur is a Mexican Restaurant in Mumbai with a Planet-First Approach!

Mumbai is on a spree for fusing elements with culinary delights. Restaurants are often seen taking a step ahead with cuisines and cultures, and a cafe in Navi Mumbai is doing the same. Gracias Granny stands out not just for its Mexican-Indian culinary crossover but for its commitment to environmental sustainability. Founded by childhood friends Rashmit and Rajanvir during the pandemic, this Mumbai-based cafe has carved out a niche as a "plant-forward" restaurant.

The duo's journey from economics careers abroad—Rajanvir as a Maritime and Supply Chain Economist in the Netherlands, Rashmit as an Environmental and Food Economist in the US—to running a Mexican cafe in Mumbai reads like a modern-day homecoming story. Their shared love for Mexican cuisine, cultivated through friendships and social gatherings overseas, became the foundation for introducing Mumbai to flavours that balance authenticity with local preferences.

What sets Gracias Granny apart is its operational philosophy. The restaurant has implemented a comprehensive sustainability framework that touches every aspect of its business. All packaging is biodegradable, made from paper or bagasse materials, with plastic usage limited to recyclable PET or PP cups when absolutely necessary. Customers who bring their own containers receive a ₹30 discount through the cafe's "Bring Your Own Box" program.

The environmental initiatives extend to logistics and waste management. Local deliveries are made on electric scooters, and the restaurant converts all used cooking oil into ISCC-certified biodiesel. Kitchen waste undergoes thorough segregation, with wet waste composted and dry waste sent to recycling centres.

While serving both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, Gracias Granny positions itself as "plant-forward," reflecting the founders' belief that plant-based eating represents the future of food systems. The menu strategically recommends plant-based alternatives and maintains price parity between conventional and alternative protein options.

This approach stems from the founders' understanding of animal agriculture's environmental impact, including its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and the emergence of zoonotic diseases. The restaurant uses this platform to introduce customers to realistic meat and dairy alternatives.

What began as a single-table cloud kitchen in 2022 has evolved into a full-fledged restaurant and catering operation with two Mumbai locations—Chembur and CBD Belapur. The cafe has completed over 200 catering events, specialising in children's birthday parties and house parties, establishing itself as a notable player in Mumbai's small event catering scene.

The menu spans from traditional offerings like the GG Classic Soft Tacos to fusion creations such as their Teriyaki burrito. Coffee service features a premium Italian machine brewing medium roast beans—80% Arabica for smoothness, 20% Robusta for intensity—sourced from Chikmagalur.

Gracias Granny represents a growing trend of restaurants that view their role beyond food service, embedding environmental consciousness into their business model while serving a community hungry for both new flavours and sustainable practices in a city that needs these kinds of projects.