Mumbai’s beloved Benne—Heritage Bangalore Dosas, launched its first Delhi outlet on December 31, 2025, at GK M Block Market, drawing food lovers into long winter lines for crispy, butter-drenched dosas that evoke Bengaluru’s darshini culture. 

Just two weeks in, crowds brave Delhi’s chill and pollution, with college groups and families waiting hours for bites that have already hooked Bollywood stars like Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli, Deepika Padukone, and Ranveer Singh.

Origins: A Bengaluru Couple’s Nostalgic Venture

Founded by Akhil Iyer (The Artist Collective) and Shriya Narayan, both Bengaluru natives who relocated to Mumbai, the Bandra/Khar original opened craving authentic “Benne dosa.” 

Distinct from Davangere’s watery, puffed-rice version, Benne uses IR8 dosa rice, poha, fenugreek, and chana dal for its signature crisp, golden edges slathered in butter. “It’s not just food; it’s childhood memory,” Akhil explains, with plans to add Davangere-style later. Cost: ₹350/head.

Menu Must-Tries Fueling the Hype

Limited but laser-focused on Karnataka classics:

• Benne Podi Dosa: Buttery crisp with spicy podi, coconut chutney, melts in the mouth.
• Ghee Podi Idli: Soft idlis tossed in ghee-podi mix.
• Bangalore Masala Dosa: Potato-filled, nostalgia-packed.
• Akki Roti: Rice flour flatbread.
• Filter Coffee (Hot/Iced): Strong South Indian kick.
• Iced Horlicks & Mysore Pak: Sweet closes.
  Celeb endorsements amplify: Dia Mirza raved on Day 1 (Mumbai); Deepika (Bangalore-raised) and Ranveer visited, solidifying “Bollywood’s breakfast spot” status.

Delhi Launch: Instant Sensation

South Delhi’s GK M Block (exact address unconfirmed) mirrors Mumbai’s cozy vibe: Open morning-last call, queues from dawn. 

Groups of 8+ wait Saturdays; hype via social reels of sizzling platters. Expansion teases “Bangalore in the capital”; chilly mornings pair perfectly with hot dosas. Delhi’s dosa scene (South Indian giants aside) gets authentic darshini edge: No-frills, butter-forward, evoking Bengaluru’s hole-in-wall energy.

Authentic Bengaluru Darshini Magic

Bengaluru natives Akhil Iyer and Shriya Narayan recreated “benne” (butter in Kannada) dosas using IR8 rice, poha, fenugreek, chana dal, crisp-edged, butter-slathered perfection distinct from Davangere’s watery batter. Nostalgic staples like ghee podi idli, filter coffee (hot/iced), Mysore Pak, akki roti evoke hole-in-wall darshinis: Standing-only, self-service, ₹350/head affordability. Delhiites crave this “piece of Bangalore” amid fusion South Indian overload.​​

Celeb Endorsements Fuel FOMO

Bollywood stampede: Anushka Sharma/Virat Kohli, Deepika Padukone (Bangalore-raised)/Ranveer Singh, Dia Mirza (Day 1 Mumbai fan), social reels of stars licking fingers went mega-viral. Mumbai Bandra/Juhu success (umbrellas for queues!) primed Delhi hype; influencers/reviewers call it “Delhi NCR’s best dosa.”​

Social Media & Viral Loops

Instagram/TikTok frenzy: Sizzling dosa vids rack millions; “longest queue for dosa” challenges, unboxing reels amplify. Mumbai’s 30-60 min waits became legend; Delhi’s 2-hour lines (morning-last call) self-perpetuate via FOMO posts. Tiny 225 sq ft setup adds charm, no reservations, fun queue slips (e.g., “Sultanpalya Shakir”).​

Novelty in Delhi’s Scene

Capital’s dosa wars get upended: Benne’s hyper-authentic, butter-forward simplicity stands out vs. glitzy chains. Winter pairing (hot dosas vs. chill) + expat nostalgia (Bengaluru migrants) = perfect storm. Expansion buzz (more outlets teased) sustains excitement; “must-visit before sell-out.”

Why the Frenzy?

• Authenticity: Rare true Bengaluru “benne” (butter) style outside Karnataka/Mumbai.
• Celeb Pull: Virat-Anushka, Deepika-Ranveer sightings fuel FOMO.
• Nostalgia: Bengaluru expats/Delhiites crave podi-idli, filter coffee amid winter.
• Simplicity: Limited menu = perfection; ₹350 keeps it accessible.
  Challenges: Queues test patience; winter pollution adds grit. Yet, it’s spreading: Mumbai success proves scalable.

Benne’s Delhi foray cements its mini-chain status, blending South Indian soul with urban hype. Food lovers: Brace for lines, this buttery invasion won’t slow.