Dadar Social — Restaurant in Mumbai

January 26, 2023

Quite a day to be at Socials, no? Cue for foreign nationals – 26th January is a dry day in India as it is our Republic Day.

I was on a Socials spree in 2016-17. I remember going to every Socials in Mumbai. Palladium Social, Todi Mills Social, Capital Social and I had also ranked them in my order of preference. However, the novelty wore off and I did not go to a Social again until Republic Day of 2023!

One may wonder why would I choose to be there on a dry day? Most people go to Socials for the electrifying vibe, the music, the crazy dance party, etc. However, I wanted to go there on a day when I could see more than just bobbing heads. Overtime I have realized that it is best to assess a restaurant on its shoulder days. And boy, Dadar Social passed the assessment!

Dadar Social is on the first floor at Kohinoor Square. It is one of the most spacious Socials I have ever been to. It is roughly divided into three sections:

The right most section has the largest table. That section is also the most aesthetic corner of Dadar Social. The walls are adorned with black and white photographs of old Bombay (an emotion), some amazing stills and many more. If you are an avid photographer, this corner is for you.

The center has tables to accommodate groups of two, four and six. The tables are placed away from each other helping you to keep your conversations private. This section also has the bar. The center of Dadar Social feels like a neatly done Irani café. Black and white tiles on the floor, benches placed towards the wall, bulbs suspended on them from the ceiling, dim lights, all contribute in setting the old café tone right. They also have ‘atta kasa vattay’ written across the wall. It is as DADAR as Dadar can get!

Take four steps up to the left most section of Dadar Social. This seems to be the dance floor. Table and chairs and table and couches, both the seating arrangements are available. We were two of us but still took the couch which can easily accommodate six. The couches are soft but they are too wide, thus pushing you away from the table. Back pain inducing.

Socials menu has not changed significantly over the years. Between the two of us, we ordered the nachos, awesamosas, spiced guava (OBVIOUSLY) and an espresso shake. It had been years since I had awesamosas and must say, they still taste as good as they did. Spiced guava is an eternal favorite! Nachos were properly loaded and sufficient for two. My friend liked her espresso shake. We did not experiment with the food but should you wish to, go ahead. They have an extensive menu.

Kedar attended to us. He was quick with service and suggestions. The other staff members were also pleasantly greeting the guests and serving them.

What I loved the most about Dadar Social is that it has managed to retain the spirit of Dadar. Catch phrases in Marathi with neon lights, small blackboards (paatya) to list the specials of the day, the marigold garland (toran) showed that it takes pride in its roots.

Dadar Social: Atta kasa vattay? Me: Barra barra...

We visited the restaurant on a Saturday afternoon, arriving just after 2:30 PM. The venue was spacious, with stylish yet inviting décor. Since it wasn’t too busy, the atmosphere was pleasantly quiet, allowing us to have uninterrupted conversations.

However, the service speed was lacking. We ordered several dishes, including the Cheese Margherita Pizza, Classic Mac and Cheese, French Fries, Mile High Noon Veg Club Sandwich, Crispy Chicken and Cheese Melt Burger, Goan Prawn Curry, and Poori Aloo Nashta.

Cheese Margherita Pizza: Unfortunately, this never made it to our table. Despite three reminders during our 45-minute lunch, it seemed the pizza had been completely forgotten, which was especially disappointing since it was for the kids.

Mac and Cheese: Creamy, rich, and indulgent-comfort food at its finest. The kids particularly enjoyed this dish.

French Fries: Standard but satisfying-crispy with the right amount of salt.

Mile High Noon Veg Club Sandwich: This was the star of the meal. Fresh, generously filled, and well-textured. The portion size was impressive.

Crispy Chicken and Cheese Melt Burger: The chicken had a nice crispy exterior while staying tender inside. The burger was sturdy and moist, with the flavorful sauce and juicy patty making for a great combination.

Goan Prawn Curry: Well-balanced with the perfect blend of spices. The prawns were fresh and cooked to perfection, making this a well-executed dish.

Poori Aloo Nashta: The pooris were light, though they could have been fluffier. The aloo was seasoned with flavorful masala, giving it a homely and satisfying taste, ideal for a brunch meal.

For drinks, we tried the Homemade Lemonades, Pink Cream Mocktail, Gin and Tonic and Ballantine’s Whiskey. The lemonades were refreshing, while the pink cream mocktail was a bit too sweet and heavy. The gin and tonic, along with the whiskey, were prepared well and met expectations.

Overall, the food was delicious, and the portion sizes were generous. However, the service delay, particularly with the missing pizza, took away from the experience. Although the staff offered three complimentary chocolate pastries to compensate, they couldn’t quite make up for the disappointment of hungry and dissatisfied kids (which can overshadow the rest of the dining experience.) With more attention to service and detail, this restaurant could offer a significantly improved...

Restaurant Review: Social (Dadar) ⭐ Rating: 2.5/5

Went to Social Dadar with two friends for what we hoped would be a chill evening, but the experience ended up being more frustrating than fun.

🍽️ What We Ordered:

Shawarma Platter – This was actually quite good. The flavors were well-balanced, and the components were fresh and satisfying. Probably the only highlight of our meal.

Charred Malai and Broccoli Corn Pizza – Unfortunately, never made it to our table.

After placing the order, we waited patiently for about 30 minutes, only to realize something was off. We had to ask a server ourselves about the delay — and that’s when someone else came over to inform us that the pizza was cancelled by the system, and they had no idea until now. This was extremely disappointing — we weren’t even proactively informed.

They offered to place a new pizza order, assuring us it would be ready in 7–10 minutes. I was really hungry and, despite being short on time and instincts telling me not to, I gave in and ordered another pizza. Unfortunately, it was bland and forgettable — I don’t even remember the name, which says a lot.

🥤Drinks:

Virgin Bloody Mary – Decent and had the classic kick you'd expect.

Peached Iced Tea – Sweet and refreshing.

Lemon Iced Tea – A simple, safe choice.

⚖️ Service & Experience:

The lack of communication about the cancelled order was the biggest letdown. It’s frustrating to wait for something that’s never going to arrive, and even more so to only find out by chasing staff yourself. The recovery was weak, and the replacement dish didn’t make up for it.

🚫 Overall Verdict:

Cool vibes and decent drinks, but the service really missed the mark this time. If you go, make sure to follow up on your orders — don’t assume they’re on their way. Sadly, Social Dadar did not live up to its name or reputation...