Bene: A Slice of Italy with Bombay Tadka

From the crust to the charm, this quaint Bandra spot delivers big flavours, thoughtful touches, and a tiramisu tart I have thoughts about.

Pasta or pizza—that’s the question, right? I always choose pasta. I scan menus of restaurants I’ve never been to just to see their pasta selection. It’s my comfort food. Someone once told me, “Wow, I didn’t know there were so many kinds of pasta!” and truth be told; I do. From ravioli to fettuccine, arrabbiata to primavera, I’ve got my favourites. But every now and then, something pulls you out of your usual order. This time it was pizza—and some damn good ones.

Tucked away in the heart of Bandra Reclamation’s bustling restaurant scene, Bene sits right next to some of our favourites, Candies and Bombay Daak. This quaint little pizza parlour serves up heavenly slices with a side of warmth. It’s the kind of spot you’d stumble upon after wandering Bandra’s lanes on a slow day: rustic wooden benches, bright neon orange signage, and a space that’s both cosy and open-air (very Vivace, though I’m firmly team indoor seating). The vibe is intimate yet unfussy, with that laidback neighbourhood charm that makes you want to stay a little longer, sip a little slower, and take your time with every bite.

When I visited, I spotted Chef Simon working away behind the counter with quiet focus and a warm smile. It’s always nice to see that hard work and a kind heart behind the food. I tried the Bombay Onion Masala and the Margherita pizzas (because if Domino’s can’t go wrong with it, no one can). While both were tasty, the standout for me was definitely the Bombay Onion Masala. The onions paired with that spicy, slightly tangy masala felt like the kind of topping I’d happily steal. It had that perfect balance of bold flavour without overwhelming the base. The Margherita, though simpler, held its own—with a lovely tomato sauce that didn’t feel too acidic, fresh mozzarella, and a crust that managed to be both chewy and crisp in the right places. The flavour didn’t try too hard, and honestly, it didn’t need to. The star for me however, was the dough. Light, airy, and with just the right tang from pre-fermentation. It gave the pizza exactly the right taste balance I was hoping for.

That said, the wait time was too long, even though I had asked for takeaway. Part of the issue is that they’re not available on Zomato or Swiggy, so the only way to order is either by going there yourself or using their website—which, oddly enough, only shows me desserts. This limited access definitely adds to the wait and can be a bit frustrating.

To make things trickier, seating is limited. The space, while adorable, is a little too cramped with barely enough tables. It could really benefit from more seating— given how many people line up everyday.

On the plus side, the takeaway box comes with reheating instructions for both tawa and microwave (which I thought was incredibly thoughtful, though, let’s be real, anyone who orders pizza takeaway knows at least 20 different ways to reheat it already).

I get that rent is expensive—but so were the pizzas, a little steep for my liking. That said, they’re pretty filling, so the price does feel somewhat justified for what you’re getting. They also offer Jain options—an inclusive touch that reflects the city’s diverse customers.

I also ordered the Tiramisu Tart, which unfortunately fell safely in the box—still on the road(good packaging though). But my real gripe was the size. I don’t know how they do it in Italy, but in my book, desserts aren’t allowed to be that small. The menu said tart, not tartlet, so yes, I was extremely disappointed.

As a self-proclaimed tiramisu lover/addict/connoisseur, from the standard of a tiramisu it was sadly… mid. But as a dessert? It was hella tasty. The mascarpone cream should have been airier and a lot lighter. The coffee ganache was absolutely delectable, and with a little more milk would make some banging coffee. The sponge had just the right hint of coffee, not overpowering, but it was too dry and dense. The dessert hit the sweetness target, but overall, has potential for improvement.

Bene’s pizza is like a slice of Italy in Mumbai—and one I’d happily try more than once. Is it worth it? That’s for you to decide.

Rating: 3.25⭐

If I’m ever in the area again, I’d love to try more of their flavours. And a humble request to the peeps at Bene: please make your desserts bigger. This isn’t fine dining—but the food was pretty fine.