Vidhi Gupta
26-May-2025
To step into the exclusive world of Mamma Killa, you first have to apply for membership. But is it really worth the effort?
Having the stanchion open just for you is a special feeling you can’t deny.
Mamma Killa, the newest venture by Zorawar Kalra in Mehrauli, is a first in many ways. It’s the first invite-only bar in New Delhi, the first Aztec-themed bar in India, and perhaps the first place in the country that doesn’t want to be flaunted. It is exclusive. It is private. And it is exactly what you would expect from Zorawar Kalra.
Ambience
A modern-day fort, with mosaic murals and tiled walls, it is a rooftop bar that glows under the moonlight. Just like the moon goddess it is named after. The space is a vibrant mix of colour and calm, with the soothing sound of water trickling from terracotta fountains. With gentle breeze flowing through, swaying not just you but also the pendant lights that cast soft shadows, like secrets waiting to be told.
At the centre sits an island bar, watchful, ready to pour a drink the moment your glass is empty.
Just ten minutes in at Mamma Killa, as cocktails began to arrive at our table, it already felt like I had stepped into an elite sanctuary.
Drinks
The drinks at Mamma Killa follow the lunar cycle.
My suggestion? Glance at the menu, and let the mixologist surprise you with a sensorial drink. The ‘Pizza-Ila’ blends tequila with pesto and comes topped with a maple-charred cherry tomato. The ‘Milky Way’ is a whiskey-hazelnut-umami mix that finishes with truffle chocolate. And increasing the curiosity about what it means to drink your food, order the ‘Mango Ceviche’, a citrus-forward tequila clarified with mango yogurt.
But wait till they roll on the cocktail trolley to your table. The Guéridon Cocktail Trolley is a roving altar of mixology. You choose your spirit, pick your elixir, and finish it off with garnishes. The real stars, though, are the house-made elixirs. Have you ever seen Palo Santo and Bee Pollen in a cocktail? There’s also Lotus Biscoff and Peanut, Banana and Figs, and Orange and Vetiver. Feel the vibe and choose your mix—or better yet, try them all and find your favourite.
Food
The food is heavily and deeply inspired by Peruvian flavours. Every dish carries with it a sense of intention and story, which you can taste in every bite. The ‘Black Mango Maki’ comes with a bold spicy sriracha sauce that hits just right. The Avocado Ceviche sprinkled with crunchy quinoa pops gives the perfect crunch to a healthy dish. But the showstopper of the night was Chef Krishna’s interpretation of Machu Picchu- served as a lamb risotto with layers of flavour and storytelling. What gave me the theatrical ending was the unlimited bowl of tiramisu, the kind that melts in your mouth, and the kind that truly needs to be unlimited. Then, almost stealing a bit of the spotlight, was the fluffiest and softest French Toast served with hazelnuts.
Is it Worth It?
Undeniably, undoubtedly, unmissable. Mamma Killa is worth applying for. From the decor and mystical cocktails to its intentional limited food menu, this place is cautious, unfiltered, and unapologetic. It is the kind of place where you put your phone down, thanks to the no-photos policy, and feel the night.
“Delhi deserves a space that feels both ancient and futuristic, grounded yet elevated,” says Zorawar Kalra. Mamma Killa is a love letter to the city’s cultural richness and cosmopolitan spirit.
Guess who applied for access right after their visit?
