The Nines — Restaurant in Mumbai

On the 13th of December, on my husband's birthday, we decided to check out this place "The Nines" at Juhu. The only reason I am writing this review is to let people know about this third-rate ridiculous place. So here goes:

1. Firstly, nowadays all fancy restaurants have started keeping "time slots" after which you have to vacate your table. I doubt whether any of these jerks know that our time is just as valuable as theirs. Trying to create a false sense of urgency and demand by asking people to fit themselves in pre-determined slots has got to be the worst way to treat your customer. Not only are you driving your big spenders away, you are treating your customer wrong. Idiots!
2. So we booked a table for 9pm, which was the last slot. So we presumably could stay till the restaurant closed. We reached at 8.45, were shown a table right next to the entrance which we refused, got a table which was empty after 15 mins. Apparently it takes that much time to clean a table
3. So after being seated at about 9ish, we waited for another 15 for someone to come to the table. No courtesy to even serve water. Then we had to wave our hands to call someone who took the order.
4. The dishes and drinks came, taste was good. At exactly 9.44, our server tells us that we have to give the last order. Taken aback, we asked whether it was the last order for the restaurant or our table. Apparently he had made a mistake and didn't remember we came only at 9. So he then got a verbal lashing from us. Lesson for such places - If you don't know your customer, don't be in the hospitality business
5. Found out there was another more happening seating area where we could have been seated. Why the hell don't you people ask this question when you take the reservations? It's basic - we have 2 seating areas, what would you prefer? But no. The explanation given - this place where you are now sitting is a family area. So families are uncool? Then why are you letting teenagers sit in the family area? Do your explanations even merit consideration? What nonsense!
6. Super slow service. If you order 2 dishes, one comes super fast, another takes ages. Don't know if that's some tactic like "filhaal yeh khaalo ek". It sucks. In fact one of our dishes did not come at all. The servers were all hovering around some of the bigger tables. Waited for 30 mins after giving that order, got up, walked to the manager, asked for the bill to be given. And they gave us the bill WITH that unserved item in it
7. Lost our cool, asked for an explanation, didn't get anything plausible except sorry. One of the managing partners came, apologised and wanted to rectify things, but the damage was done. Asked him to revise the bill and remove the service charge which they did. Paid and walked out. It's better to rename "The Nines" to " The Pits" cos that's where your attitude is. For all such restaurants out there with "time slots", "children not allowed after 10 or on weekends" - If you have limited time for us, we really have very limited interest in you. Time is money. If you don't know who will spend and who won't, you are going to wind up very soon. Remember: You are not a bloody nightclub. You are just a so-called exclusive (self proclaimed and self defined through stupid rules) restaurant. Why don't you allow kids? Do people get rowdy in your restaurants after 10 or on weekends? Or do you turn into a strip club? Where do you think we should be dumping our kids after 10? Why don't you just put a sign out - not for families? Understand your customer profile. Sometimes 2 or 3 people can give you business equivalent to 10. Don't judge us. We also do not have time to waste. You are not some ladies bar where five kids come and order 1 beer to watch someone dance. But you treat your customers like those five kids might be treated.

Pathetic service and pathetic attitude. Care for your customer, or lose...

Nestled in the heart of central Mumbai, The Nines is just a short walk from most hotels—unless, of course, you’ve had one too many. Intrigued by the glowing reviews from my colleagues, I decided to see for myself, taking a leisurely afternoon walk that led me to its doors around 6 PM.

Despite arriving amidst lively festivity preparations and technically still within high tea hours, the team didn’t hesitate to welcome me in. Dinner service wasn’t set to begin until 7 PM, but that didn’t stop them from settling me at the bar with a few whiskeys and a menu, ensuring my wait was far from idle. The hospitality was top-notch, setting the tone for an evening that was as much about the people as it was about the food.

Abeer, one of the staff members, struck up a conversation that felt like flipping through an old Thailand travel memory card—16MB of nostalgia and food talk. The team, taking my “surprise me” request to heart, curated a dining experience without me lifting a finger. And no, it wasn’t just the whiskey talking—the service truly stood out.

The chilli prawns arrived first, a fiery cure for any hangover. The intense chilli crust made my mouth tingle, but it was easy enough to peel off a layer to adjust the heat to my liking. While the spice was spot-on, the prawns themselves lacked the fresh, springy texture—likely frozen and defrosted without proper resting. Still, the flavor was on point, making up for any textural shortcomings.

Then came the Chicken Burashi—a dish that deserves legendary status. If Thailand has Tom Yum Soup, India has this. It’s a hidden gem, possibly kept under wraps to shield it from tourist overexposure. The chicken was unbelievably tender, packed with deep, layered flavors, and carried just the right amount of burn to keep things exciting. If you try just one thing at The Nines, make sure it’s this.

One downside? The alcohol prices in India are enough to make you consider sobriety. But, with food this good, maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

Verdict: A vibrant mix of flavors, warm hospitality, and a lively atmosphere make The Nines worth the visit. Just be ready for the spice and the bill if...

If you're in or around Juhu and looking for a place that blends great vibes, aesthetic ambiance, and delicious food – The Nines should definitely be on your list! We recently visited this vibrant spot, and it turned out to be an unforgettable experience.

The ambiance is absolutely beautiful – a perfect mix of indoor and outdoor seating that sets the mood just right. Whether you're planning a cozy dinner with your loved one, catching up with friends, or simply looking to unwind, this place checks all the boxes. They even have live screenings on Fridays and Saturdays, and the energy really picks up with their nightclub vibes – ideal for party lovers.

We kicked off our evening with some refreshing drinks. The Blueberry Smash cocktail was super refreshing, and the Aperol Spritz stood out with its elegant presentation. For the teetotalers, the Breeze-like Guava mocktail was absolutely mind-blowing – a must-try!

Moving on to starters, we had the Truffle with Mushroom and Chicken – not only visually appealing, but the taste was on point. The Murg Mughlai Chicken Tikka totally stole the show – rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked.

The main course was equally impressive. The Firecracker Chicken Rice had bold flavors and was a total delight. We also loved the Grilled Chicken with Mushrooms – it had a unique twist that really stood out. The Spicy Parmesan Chicken had great presentation, though the flavor was more on the subtle side.

The service deserves a special mention – the staff was courteous, attentive, and guided us well throughout the evening. It really added to the overall positive experience.

We ended the night on a sweet note with some truly decadent desserts. The Mango Cheesecake was light, fruity, and unlike anything we’ve tried before. But the highlight? The Napoleon Pastry – it was simply mind-blowing and the perfect end to our meal.

Overall: A perfect place for good vibes, good food, and great memories. Whether you're there for a chill evening or a lively weekend party, The Nines is where...