Heritage, Liberated: Inside Ummrao Saaj, Mumbai’s New Symphony of Awadhi Grace and Modern Vision

There is a quiet confidence that arrives when a space stops looking back with mere nostalgia and begins to step forward with purpose. Inside Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport, a historic milestone has quietly unfolded. This marks Marriott International’s very first Modern Indian restaurant in South Asia: Ummrao Saaj.

Helmed by Executive Chef Gaurav Sircar, the restaurant strips away the heavy performance often associated with royal dining, offering instead a masterclass in restraint, elegance, and storytelling. It operates under a singular, powerful guiding expression: “Modern Plates, Rooted Stories.”

The Three Pillars: Nava, Raag, and Sangam

The soul of Ummrao Saaj is anchored by three defining philosophy pillars that dictate everything from the kitchen to the dining room floor:

• Nava (Evolution): The spirit of thoughtful evolution, where traditional Awadhi recipes are elevated with modern expressions while strictly preserving their authentic core.

• Raag (Rhythm): An inspired cocktail philosophy that draws from Indian classical music, translating specific moods, emotions, and times of day into indigenous, spirit-forward beverages.

• Sangam (Connection): The coming together of people, cultures, and shared moments, echoing the timeless Nawabi tradition of hospitality where unhurried meals were moments of true honor.

Beyond the plate, the venue engages every sense. A modern Indian soundscape fills the room, accompanied by the subtle, warm presence of a custom petrichor-inspired scent that evokes memory and emotion. At the table, associates seamlessly guide guests through narratives of origin and technique, ensuring history is savored alongside flavor.

Spatial Poetry: Tradition Unbound

The interiors mirror this culinary philosophy through a poetic visual narrative. The journey begins in an enclosed, graceful grove where painted figures of women appear contained within beauty—symbolic of traditions carefully guarded through generations.

As you venture deeper, the space opens into a radiant expanse of color and light. The same figures reappear, now liberated and unbound, embodying freedom and creative evolution. From the heritage plates gracing the walls to a vintage gramophone reimagined as contemporary art, the space gently bridges eras without ever feeling formal or rigid.

The Culinary Showcase: A Lunch of Curated Nuance

Chef Gaurav Sircar’s menu is a tribute to patience, emphasizing slow-cooked dum pukht techniques, gentle bhunao, and subtle aromatic spices over aggressive heat or heaviness. During our exclusive showcase lunch, the kitchen delivered a sequence of standout plates that perfectly balanced melt-in-the-mouth textures with modern textures:

• Galouti Khaste: A brilliant play on texture, featuring an incredibly rich, velvety meat pâté resting on a crisp, flaky khari biscuit, sharpened beautifully by a punchy hit of kasundi.

• Dahi Seekh: A delicate, melt-in-the-mouth seekh of tandoori yoghurt that balances a gentle, smoky exterior with a bright, vibrant turmeric chutney.

• Mutton Galavat: The absolute epitome of Awadhi refinement; a silken, ultra-tender lamb kebab that dissolves on the palate, elegantly paired with a rich, saffron-infused kesar paratha.

• Raan Willingdon: A spectacular Anglo-Indian cross-over showcasing deeply savory, pulled lamb leg tucked inside a beautifully golden, buttery puff pastry.

• The Artisanal Breads: An exceptional pairing of Taftaan (a light sourdough brushed with rich roasted garlic butter) and the Ummrao Paratha (layered flaky pastry studded with a crunchy seed mix and finished with delicate silver warq).

  
  

Composed Liquid Notes: Liquid Raags

The narrative flows seamlessly into the bar program, where indigenous botanicals and Indian-born spirits are composed rather than merely mixed. Energy (वीर) — A fiery, whisky-forward sour that commands presence on the palate. Built on a robust single malt whisky base, it introduces a beautiful depth of flavor using tart amchoor and rich, smoky jaggery. The drink is served with an innovative garnish of amchoor salt and a gratis fresh guava wedge dusted with salt and red chili powder. True to its musical inspiration, the palate profile is bold, masculine, and rising with strength.

The Vision Ahead

"Ummrao Saaj is a special moment for us," notes Abhishek Sachdev, General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport. "The idea was to create a space that feels rooted yet relevant, built on restraint, elegance, and storytelling... What sets Ummrao Saaj apart is its belief in quiet sophistication. There is no performance, only purpose."

For a city always racing toward the next trend, Ummrao Saaj offers a welcome invitation to slow down. It is heritage, liberated—and a beautifully composed ode to one of India’s most poetic culinary traditions.

The Insider Checklist

• Address: Courtyard By Marriott Mumbai International Airport, Andheri Kurla Road, Andheri East, Mumbai – 400059

• Timings: 

  • Lunch: Saturday & Sunday, 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM

  • Dinner: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

• Cost for Two: ₹3,000++

• Reservations: +91 77188 94075