#Exclusive: NYC’s iconic Magnolia Bakery makes its way to Mumbai

During an episode of the third season of the hit TV series, Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw and Miranda Hobbes can be seen sitting outside a quaint bakery in New York and digging into cupcakes with pastel pink frosting. The bakery in question was Magnolia Bakery, which went on to become a worldwide phenomenon and even sparked the cupcake craze of the '90s. Now, the iconic bakery is coming to Mumbai. 

Magnolia Bakery made its debut in India before the pandemic with the first store in Bengaluru’s Indiranagar district in 2019. Today, they have four stores in the city along with a Hyderabad outpost that opened last year. The new opening in Mumbai marks the bakery’s move up north. Zonu Reddy, director of Spago Foods, the company that is responsible for bringing Magnolia Bakery to India, explains, “We’ve always wanted to come to Mumbai but because of Covid and other reasons we weren’t able to get to the city as quickly as we wanted to. We’re glad that we’re finally here.” The Mumbai outlet will be in Bandra, the hotspot for cafes and bakeries in the city, thanks to its cosmopolitan nature and an audience that is familiar with the cult status of Magnolia Bakery, Reddy adds. 

Enjoy all the cult classics along with India-inspired additions

You can dig into all the Magnolia Bakery favourites at the Mumbai outlet, be it the dainty cupcakes topped with buttercream swirls, the banana pudding that is the second signature item synonymous with the bakery or the cheesecakes, cookies, pies, cake slices, and brownies among others. 

Don’t miss the tres leches, a Latin American soaked dessert available in over twelve different flavours at the bakery, which Erick Larios, vice president for Magnolia Bakery Franchise says has been a runaway hit in India. 

For India, the brand has come up with an entire line-up of eggless desserts, including ice creams, to cater to the market. There are also plenty of offerings made with local and seasonal ingredients to pick from, like a special summer menu with mangoes that includes a mango cheesecake and mango parfait. Plus, they have their own take on the beloved Christmas plum cake, which isn't on the menu outside India.

Though most of the menu remains the same as the other outposts, The Mumbai one will get the first taste of a new range of ice cream flavours before they are rolled out elsewhere in the country. 

Sip on an exciting range of coffees and teas, too

The beverage menu looks just as exciting with options such as toasted almond latte, cinnamon latte, and cold offerings like iced coffee, iced Americano, Arnold Palmer, iced tea, and more. You can also enjoy the affogato—a scoop of their house-made vanilla ice cream is topped with an espresso shot which makes for an indulgent dessert.

Take in the interiors that pay homage to Mumbai’s landmarks

The Mumbai branch has all the signature hallmarks of a Magnolia Bakery—think custom tiles, lighting, and a design that marries the brand’s aesthetic with local elements. As you step into the bakery, you’ll find a mural of the original Magnolia Bakery storefront at New York’s Bleecker Street, combined with illustrations of the Sea Link, the Gateway of India, the traditional black-and-yellow cabs, and the city’s streetlights. According to Larios, there is another special detail that nods to the bakery’s location. The tinned ceiling, a quintessential Magnolia Bakery feature, is given a makeover here with unique patterns to reflect Mumbai’s heritage. 

More Magnolia Bakery branches to come to Mumbai 

While other cities might have to wait a little for Magnolia Bakery, the brand plans to open more outposts in Mumbai soon, just like in Bengaluru. 

Magnolia Bakery opens on November 1, 2023 at Maqba Heights CTS No.F/862, Pali Road Bandra West, Mumbai 400050.