Since Carrie Bradshaw devoured a pink frosted cupcake during Season 3 of the hit 2000s TV show, Sex And The City, Magnolia Bakery has become a worldwide phenomenon. Opened in 1996 by Allysa Torey and Jennifer Appel on the corner of West 11th and Bleecker Street, the pair one day decided to pour some of their extra cake batter into a muffin tin and kicked off Magnolia Bakery’s cupcake journey.
They may have been one of the first to spur the cupcake craze of the early aughts but the brand has since become a symbol for all things indulgent and has been busy conquering new global locations. They made their India debut four years ago when in 2019 they launched in Bangalore. They then opened two more stores in the city, followed by one in Hyderabad and Telangana before returning to Bangalore for the fourth franchise in the city.
All this while, Mumbai fans have been watching in envy and Bangaloreans revelled in their Magnolia stronghold, but now the City of Dreams is set to have all its wishes granted as the bakery opens its doors for the first time in Bandra today.
The 2300-square foot space designed by Khaiber Siddiqui of Studio Xalt sets up an airy, elegant location that fuses the brand’s signature style with local elements in the form of murals of Mumbai’s iconic kaali-peeli taxis and the Gateway of India.
You’ll be able to enjoy all of the bakery’s signatures including the iconic cupcakes, the fan-favourite banana pudding as well as many iterations of the Tres Leche cake which has reportedly been one of their most successful additions in India. In line with their thoughtfully curated menus, there are also a selection of eggless cakes and ice-creams and we’re sure to see a lot of items inspired by seasonal fruits and ingredients especially so close to Diwali.
Though it’s taken a while for Mumbai to get a taste of this globally celebrated franchise, it’s surely not the last stop in their India journey and may be a launchpad for Magnolia Bakery’s chain of successes in a new city.
Address: No.F/862, CTS, Maqba Heights, Pali Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: 10 am to 10 pm
Cost for two: Rs. 500 approx.