How celebrity-owned restaurants are redefining dining as a business | Bengaluru News
From film stars and cricketers to fashion icons, celebrity-owned restaurants are no longer novelty extensions of fame — they are calculated investments. Actors Shilpa Shetty and Naga Chaitanya, and cricketer Virat Kohli, represent a new generation of celebrity entrepreneurs who view hospitality as a long-term business.Often rooted in personal values — fitness, sustainability, global exposure and lifestyle choices — these ventures have evolved into serious hospitality enterprises across cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad. Here, celebrity allure meets professional kitchens, seasoned chefs and robust business models, wrapped in curated dining experiences.
Shilpa Shetty’s Bastian in Bengaluru exemplifies this shift. Known for its seafood-forward menu, the restaurant elevates marine bounty with gourmet flair. Opulent yet restrained interiors—chandeliers, rich wood and art-forward installations—set the tone, while Chef Amol keeps the focus firmly on flavour and consistency over gimmicks.Virat Kohli’s One8 Commune, with 12 outlets across India, has built a loyal following. The Bengaluru outpost, overlooking Cubbon Park, blends seasonal menus, curated pours, cheese pairings and inventive cocktails. The crowds aren’t just fans—repeat diners keep the tables full.Telugu cinema star Naga Chaitanya has taken a different route with Shoyu, a premium Pan-Asian cloud kitchen launched in Bengaluru after success in Hyderabad. Aimed at well-heeled diners seeking eclectic flavours, Shoyu pays close attention to detail—from sustainable packaging to menu highlights like truffle-oil pizzettes, sushi and dim sums.“A celebrity can get people through the door once,” says a senior hospitality consultant. “Repeat business depends entirely on food quality, service and consistency.” Not every foray succeeds. Kannada actor Pranitha Subhash’s association with now-shuttered venues such as Bootlegger on Lavelle Road underscores the risks in an increasingly competitive market.
The business behind the glamourCelebrity-owned restaurants today run on professional partnerships, with stars shaping the brand while experienced hospitality teams handle operations. In a discerning market like Bengaluru, fame may draw attention, but longevity depends on clearly defined cuisines, strong chef talent, consistency and experience-led dining—where atmosphere and storytelling matter more than opulence.A crowded, competitive spaceCelebrity interest in hospitality has intensified competitionFame no longer guarantees longevity—closures are swiftEven gourmet concepts struggle if they misread the marketSerious ventures now invest in chef training, supply chains and customer feedback
More than a mealCelebrity restaurants succeed when they offer more than access to fame. The real win: diners remember the food and experience, not the owner. “They work when diners forget who owns the place—and remember how the food made them feel,” say food experts.Why celebrities are betting on restaurantsRestaurants function as brand extensions, not side hustlesReflect personal values: fitness, lifestyle, sustainability, global exposurePartnerships with experienced operators reduce riskOffer visibility, scale and long-term business potential
