A favourite of Barack Obama, Priyanka Chopra and top global celebs: Inside the world’s most in-demand restaurant, where tables sell out in 10 seconds! | – The Times of India
Eating at restaurants is an experience we often plan to explore new flavours, ambience, and break the monotony of eating daily at home. We simply move out, book a table online and arrive for pure indulgence. Now imagine having to book a table as if you are struggling to book a tatkal ticket, where the tickets are available only for a short duration. Will you do it? Well, many of us will, because this is the world’s most in-demand restaurant owned by celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, where tables sell out in just 10 seconds, and tables are already booked for next 20 days in advance. Scroll down to read more details about it.Michelin-starred celebrity chef Vikas Khanna is a household name, known for his charming persona, wide spread screen presence and most importantly his iconic restaurant Bungalow -Ek Sau Ek, in New York. It is a restaurant, that celebrates Indian cuisines and Indian heritage through the creative lenses of chef Vikas. The space is inspired by nostalgic Indian country clubs, blending vintage elegance with contemporary design through carved wood, antique artifacts, and a library of regional cookbooks.
A place where tables sell out in 10 secondsIn a recent interview with Vir Sanghvi for Culinary Culture, Chef Vikas talked about Bungalow’s popularity and mentioned that the bookings open for only 10 seconds every day and they get always sell out within a few seconds. He further mentioned that they are booked for 20-22 days in advance.
Loved by top global celebsIn the same interview he mentioned about the love he has received from across the globe. He cited an incident when the former US President Barack Obama called him and requested for a table for his friend’s grandmother, who really wished to dine at Bungalow. For desi girl Priyanka Chopra, it is not a restaurant but an extension of her home, he further mentioned while explaining how Indian celebs and influential people have also contributed to making Bungalow a success with their love and visits. He also mentioned how once his immigration officer kept his passport on hold for a few minutes because he wanted to know the trick or code to book a table at Bungalow, which his sister had been trying for months. These instances not only reflect the world’s love for what Bungalow offers but also how approachable chef Vikas is as a global culinary icon.
What makes Bungalow special?Bungalow’s 125-person seating capacity menu takes diners on a journey across India’s 28 states, reimagining traditional flavours with modern techniques. Known for its luxurious ambiance and storytelling-driven dining, the place offers dishes like Smoked Sweet Potato Chaat, White Peas Guguni, Shrimp Balachoa Cones, Lamb Seekh Kabab, Eggplant Bharta, Spice Roasted Pineapple, Old Delhi Chole, Chicken Salli, Appelppey Shrimp Curry, Molten Chocolate Cake and more.
What does it teach usAs chef Vikas says in the video interview, that even he has failed at booking a table at his own restaurant, it is a gentle reminder to step out of your comfort zone, take risks, and build something you feel proud of. While his success as a celebrity chef is inspiring, but the success of Bungalow goes far beyond just a fully booked restaurant—it offers powerful lessons for anyone building a brand, especially in food, hospitality, or storytelling-driven businesses. It is all about honesty, commitment, and a zeal to create something memorable for the world to remember for a lifetime.