There’s celebrity-owned café, and then there’s something that feels like home. Viraj Ghelani, the beloved actor, comedian, and social media creator, has stepped off camera and into the neighbourhood with a passion project that’s quickly become a crowd favourite. With his wife Palak Khimavat, he launched Slow Cafe and in a city that never stops, this little corner is inviting Mumbaikars to do just that… slow down.
Slow Cafe: What It Is and Why It Matters
Nestled in Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali West, Slow Cafe is more than just another café on the Mumbai map. Opened in December 2025, it’s a vegetarian café and bakehouse designed around a simple philosophy – slow living in a fast city. Think calm interiors with soft lighting and earthy tones, a relaxed vibe that encourages you to sit, breathe, and savour the moment.
The name itself with its slightly tilted ‘O’ reflects its spirit. Viraj and Palak didn’t want a typical buzzy café; they wanted a space that felt like a pause button, a place where conversations linger and coffees are truly savoured.
Unlike many celebrity ventures that bank on star power alone, Slow Cafe feels grounded and intentional. It was Palak’s idea, inspired by her own love for mindful eating and quality food she already cooked at home, that became the heart of this venture. Viraj simply realised the world was missing something like it.
Viraj Ghelani Introduces The Menu That’s Winning Praise
One thing that keeps people queuing up (waiting 20–45 minutes on weekends!) is the menu. Creative, comforting, and thoroughly vegetarian. Slow Cafe’s offerings include crowd-pleasers like an Espresso Coconut Float, Gochujang Noodle Bowl, Tomato Confit Bread with Burrata, Avocado Toast, burgers with fries, and sweet potato fries with house dips.
Caffeine lovers are spoilt for choice too, with matcha lattes, cold brews, and espresso-based drinks that have become Instagram essentials for many. And desserts? Palak’s background as a pastry chef shines through in the in-house cakes, cookies, and baked cheesecakes made without refined sugar or processed flour – a hit for conscious foodies.
More than just food though, customers keep coming back for the feeling, the warmth, the relaxed conversation corners, and the sense that every dish is made with thought and intention.
Why People Are Talking And Raving About This Cafe By Viraj and His Wife?
What makes Slow Cafe resonate isn’t just the menu. It’s the authenticity behind it. Instead of flashy buzzwords or gimmicks, Viraj Ghelani and Palak have built something that feels honest. Locals love that they don’t have to trek to classic café hubs like Bandra or Versova for good food; this little haven brings quality and heart right into the MaKaBo community.
Viraj often chats with guests, and the vibe feels more like visiting a friend’s living room than eating at a celebrity spot. And that’s exactly the point, Slow Cafe was meant to be more than a place to eat; it’s a place to be present.
In a city that moves at a thousand miles per hour, Slow Cafe is winning hearts by reminding everyone that great food, good company, and a moment of peace can be the best kind of luxury.
