Redefining Suburban Dining: Nine Bees & Co. Sets a New Standard in Dombivli Culinary Scene

In the bustling suburban expanse of Lodha Palava City, Maharashtra, a quiet revolution is unfolding in the culinary world. Amid the rapid urbanization of India’s tier-two cities, where dining options often lean toward fast food or traditional fare, Nine Bees & Company has emerged as a beacon of innovation, blending affordability with gourmet creativity. Since its inception in 2022, this multi-cuisine restaurant has not only transformed the local dining landscape but also set a precedent for how community-centric hospitality can thrive in modern India. The India Prime Times team recently visited the establishment, meeting its visionary founder, Souvik Biswas, and witnessing firsthand the unique dining experience that has earned the brand widespread acclaim.

A New Era for Suburban Dining

India’s hospitality industry is at a crossroads. With urban centers saturated with high-end restaurants and quick-service chains, suburban areas like Lodha Palava City have long craved dining experiences that balance quality, affordability, and innovation. Nine Bees & Co. has filled this gap with remarkable precision. Launched in February 2022, the restaurant caters to a diverse clientele, families, young professionals, and late-night food enthusiasts, offering a menu that spans traditional Indian dishes, global fusion cuisine, and inventive creations like Matka Biryani, Sushi, Boba Juices, Fried Ice Cream, Thai curry, Pasta and Chop suey.

What sets Nine Bees apart is its commitment to accessibility. The restaurant’s signature momos, served with complimentary soup, have become a local favorite, priced to ensure gourmet dining isn’t reserved for the elite. “Our goal is to democratize quality food,” Biswas shared during our conversation with him. “We want everyone, from students to working professionals, to enjoy flavors that inspire.” This ethos has resonated deeply, with the restaurant serving over 10,000 customers, a testament to its growing popularity.

Meeting Souvik Biswas: A Visionary at Work

The India Prime Times team had the privilege of meeting Souvik Biswas, the driving force behind Nine Bees & Co., at his flagship outlet in Lodha Palava City. A Kolkata native with a decade-long corporate career in human resources and administration, Biswas brings a rare blend of strategic acumen and culinary passion to his venture. His warm demeanor and hands-on approach were evident as he interacted with staff and customers alike, ensuring every detail of the dining experience was flawless.

Biswas’s journey from corporate strategist to restaurateur is as inspiring as it is unconventional. After 12 years in leadership roles at reputed organizations, he took a leap of faith in 2022, investing his savings to launch Nine Bees & Co. The brand’s name, inspired by the collaborative spirit of bees, reflects his belief in teamwork and community. “I’ve always been fascinated by how bees work together to create something extraordinary,” he told us. “That’s the philosophy behind our brand, building something meaningful through collective effort.”

Our team was particularly impressed by the restaurant’s innovative offerings. The ‘Work from Resto’ concept, with high-speed Wi-Fi and power outlets, caters to remote professionals, transforming the restaurant into a hybrid workspace. Late-night delivery until 4 AM via platforms like Swiggy and Zomato addresses a critical gap in suburban dining, while culinary workshops for children foster community engagement. These initiatives, combined with unique dining experiences like candlelight dinners and private celebrations, showcase Biswas’s ability to anticipate and meet evolving consumer needs.

Innovation Rooted in Resilience

The hospitality industry is no stranger to challenges, and Nine Bees & Co. has faced its share. The year 2024 was particularly tough for the brand and its founder, Biswas. In mid-2024, Nine Bees & Co. underwent a significant restructuring following a dispute among its founding members. Biswas, leveraging his corporate-honed crisis management skills, navigated the setback with transparency and resolve. He secured sole proprietorship of the brand, ensuring all official registrations, FSSAI, GST, and Trademark, remained under his name. By August 2024, Nine Bees & Co. resumed operations with renewed vigor, reaffirming its commitment to quality and innovation.

The challenges of 2024 extended beyond business. In December 2024, Biswas faced a profound personal loss with the passing of his mother. Despite this heartbreak, he found strength through the unwavering support of his father, wife, and a close-knit group of college friends. Their encouragement fueled his courage and motivation, enabling him to overcome personal and professional odds with remarkable resilience.

This resilience has not gone unnoticed. Biswas and his brand have garnered numerous accolades, including the Cluster of Achievers Award for Master of Flavours, Entrepreneurs Today 40 Under 40 as Rising Foodpreneur of the Year 2025, and the ANE Award for Best Emerging Multi-Cuisine Restaurant 2025. The Excellency Iconic Awards recognized him as Mumbai’s Best Rising Restaurateur, and the brand was featured in Zomato’s Inside The Kitchen Hustle series, aired by July 2025. These honors reflect not just Biswas’s entrepreneurial prowess but also the tangible impact of Nine Bees & Co. on the hospitality sector.

A Vision for the Future

Biswas’s ambitions extend far beyond Lodha Palava City. He envisions Nine Bees & Co. as a national brand, with outlets in major metropolitan cities, malls, and airports by 2030. “We’re not just a restaurant; we’re a movement to redefine Indian hospitality,” he said during our discussion. His plans include a 50% revenue increase by leveraging technology, expanding delivery networks, and introducing new menu innovations that blend traditional Indian hospitality with global culinary standards.

The India Prime Times team noted Biswas’s emphasis on sustainability and community. From sourcing local ingredients to hosting workshops that empower young chefs, Nine Bees & Co. is as much about social impact as it is about culinary excellence. Biswas’s travels across India and abroad continue to influence his menu, with dishes like Boba Juices and Continental cuisine reflecting his global perspective.

The Broader Impact on India’s Culinary Landscape

Nine Bees & Co.’s success signals a broader shift in India’s hospitality industry. As suburban areas grow into economic hubs, the demand for diverse, high-quality dining experiences is surging. Restaurants like Nine Bees are paving the way by offering innovative solutions that cater to modern lifestyles while staying rooted in community values. The brand’s ability to blend affordability with gourmet offerings challenges the notion that quality dining must come at a premium, setting a benchmark for others to follow.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Biswas’s journey offers valuable lessons. His transition from a corporate career to a culinary pioneer underscores the importance of adaptability, strategic planning, and a customer-first mindset. Even in the face of adversity, be it a business dispute or personal challenges, including the loss of his mother in 2024, Biswas’s resilience and commitment to his vision have kept Nine Bees & Co. on an upward trajectory.

A Taste of What’s to Come

As we concluded our visit, the India Prime Times team left Nine Bees & Co. with a sense of optimism about the future of India’s hospitality industry. Souvik Biswas’s story is not just about building a successful restaurant but about redefining what dining can mean in suburban India. With its innovative concepts, community-driven initiatives, and a relentless focus on quality, Nine Bees & Co. is poised to leave a lasting mark on the culinary landscape.

For now, Lodha Palava City remains the heart of this culinary revolution, but if Biswas’s vision holds, Nine Bees & Co. will soon buzz across India’s major cities, bringing its unique blend of flavors and hospitality to a wider audience. As Biswas aptly put it, “Good food is about connection, between people, cultures, and ideas.” That connection, it seems, is the secret ingredient behind Nine Bees & Co.’s remarkable success.