What First‑Time Visitors Should Try at Our Restaurant

Here's the honest truth about visiting a new restaurant: the menu looks exciting, but it's long. And when you're seated somewhere new, the pressure of ordering the right thing is real.

At Nova House, that pressure doubles because the menu spans over a dozen cuisines, from Lucknow-Spiced Lamb Tacos to live-counters, Sushi to Mangalorean Fish Curry and Classic Italian Pasta. That's brilliant on paper, but it can leave a first-time visitor staring at the menu for fifteen minutes too long.

We've mapped out the dishes that genuinely define what dining at Nova House feels like, the ones that give you the full range of the experience, the ones regulars swear by, and the ones that make you immediately start planning a second visit. Whether you're here for a date night, a family dinner, a celebratory evening, or just a craving that needs answering, this is your starting line.

The Starters: Where Every Great Meal Begins 

The starters section is called Bookeymen, and the name tells you everything. These aren't polite amuse-bouches. They're bold, confident small plates that announce the kitchen's personality from the first bite.

• For Vegetarians

1. Bhavnagari Chilly and Brie Pops (₹395). This is the dish that gets talked about. The earthy heat of Bhavnagari chillies stuffed with creamy Brie, finished with chipotle aioli, is a combination that sounds unusual on paper and tastes brilliant on the plate. It's the kind of starter that makes the whole table go quiet for a second. Order it.
   

2. Asian Style Cottage Cheese Chilli (₹425) If you've only ever had paneer in a curry, this is the starter that rewires that thinking. Tossed in a soya and bell pepper base with that characteristic wok heat, it's simultaneously familiar and completely different. A strong choice if you enjoy Indo-Chinese flavours.
   

3. Bachpan ka Pyaar Cheese Chilli Toast (₹395) The name literally means "childhood love," and the dish delivers on that promise. Gooey, cheesy, and finished with a chilli kick, this is comfort food elevated just enough to feel special.

• For Non-Vegetarians

1. 911 Chicken Wings (₹475) The number alone tells you something. These are not timid wings. Punchy, well-seasoned, served with sour cream to balance the heat, this is the kind of starter that sets the energy for the whole table.

2. Chicken Kharda Spring Rolls (₹475) Spicy Kolhapuri shredded kharda chicken wrapped in a crispy roll and served with sweet chilli sauce. The Maharashtrian influence hits distinctly here for anyone who grew up on Kolhapuri food, this is a pleasantly personal plate.

3. Disco Crab Cake (₹595) If you're a seafood person, do not sleep on this. Succulent, juicy, with a harissa dip that adds just the right North African smokiness. It's one of the more premium starters on the menu and earns every rupee.

TanDOORIYAN: Tandoor Picks You Cannot Skip 

The TanDOORIYAN section at Nova House takes traditional tandoor cooking seriously, but it doesn't stay traditional. The kitchen runs classic preparations alongside globally influenced marinades, and the result is a tandoor section that works equally well as a standalone course or alongside mains.

1. Harissa Paneer Tikka (₹495) Smoky grilled paneer cubes marinated in fiery North African harissa, yogurt, and spices. Charred on the outside, soft and spicy within. This is the crossover dish that sums up what Nova House does best: Indian technique, global inspiration, seamless execution.

2. देशी Kukkad Tandoori Chicken (₹525 / ₹695). Some things are classics for a reason. This is Chef Krishna Khetle's take on the dish that built the tandoor's reputation. If you're a non-vegetarian and this is your first visit, at least one portion of this belongs on your table.

3. White Pepper Chicken Tikka (₹525) A quieter hero compared to the bolder tikkas, but deeply satisfying. Tandoor-roasted chicken with white pepper, garlic, and cheese creates a softer, more nuanced flavour profile that pairs exceptionally well with the butter naan (₹95).

Sushi & Dim Sum: The Live Counter Experience 

Very few restaurants in Mira Road offer a live sushi counter. Nova House does. The Stussy Sushi section and the Dim Sum menu are two of the best reasons to visit here, even on a night when you think you want Indian food, because you'll end up ordering both.

• Sushi Must-Tries

1. Norwegian Salmon Roll (₹455 / ₹655) Avocado, cream cheese, topped with tanuki flakes and spicy sriracha mayo. Clean, balanced, and properly assembled. This is the role for first-timers who want to understand why the sushi section at Nova House gets talked about.
   

2. Prawn Tempura Roll (₹455 / ₹755) Tempura flakes, cream cheese, unagi sauce, and spicy mayo. Rich, textured, and satisfying in a way that makes it difficult to stop at one serving.

• Dim Sum Must-Tries

1. Truffle Mushroom and Cheese Dim Sum(₹425 / ₹595) Vegetarian dim sum rarely gets its due, but this one earns full attention. The truffle and garlic combination inside these parcels is unapologetically indulgent.

2. Spicy Prawns Har Gao (₹475 / ₹675). For non-vegetarians, this is the standout dim sum order. The prawn filling hits well, and the heat level is honest rather than decorative.

Main Course: Indian, Asian, or Global Pick Your Battle

This is where the menu earns its "multi-cuisine" credential and where first-time visitors tend to over-order. Here's how to think about it: pick one cuisine lane for your main, and explore the others in starters or on your next visit.

• If You're Going Indian

  
  

• Murgh Dum Matka (₹545) Boneless chicken dum-cooked in a clay pot. The slow-cooked depth of flavour here is distinct. This is a preparation that doesn't rush, and the result tastes like it. Pair it with butter naan or laccha paratha (₹85 each).

2. Butter Paneer Masala (₹495) Yes, it's on every menu in India. No, that doesn't make it less worth ordering when it's done right. Nova House's version is rich, balanced, and a comfortable anchor for vegetarian tables.

3. Goan Fish / Prawn Curry and Rice (₹625). For seafood lovers, this is the one. The Goan coconut and kokum base is distinct, comforting, and precisely what you want if you've had a long week and need food that actually nourishes.

• If You're Going Asian

1. Burmese Khow Suey (₹525). This is arguably one of the most interesting mains on the entire menu. A coconut milk-based noodle curry with multiple condiment accompaniments, crispy onions, sev, fried garlic, chilli oil that you mix and build at the table. It's interactive, layered, and genuinely unlike anything else on the menu.

2. Classic Thai Green Curry (₹495) Reliable, aromatic, with that bright lemongrass and galangal freshness. A solid anchor for vegetarian diners who want something global but not jarring on the palate.

• If You're Going Global (Pizza & Pasta)

1. Pollo Pesto Pizza (₹595) Juicy chicken, cream cheese, sundried tomato, pine nuts, and pesto on an 11-inch wood-fired base. Every component earns its place on this pizza. Non-negotiable if your table has at least one pizza person.
   

2. Rigatoni A La Pesto (₹525) Pesto cream, broccoli, cherry tomato, and parmesan, served with herb garlic crostini. The pasta section at Nova House takes itself seriously, and this dish is the proof.

Sugar Town: The Dessert That Closes the Show 

The dessert menu at Nova House is called Sugar Town, and it earns the name. A first-time visitor should absolutely save room for at least one.

1. Ras Malai Tres Leches (₹395). This is the dessert that defines Nova House's culinary identity. A three-milk sponge cake steeped in the soul of classic Ras Malai, it's the kind of dessert that makes you pause and think, "Who came up with this?" Order it without deliberating.

2. Biscoff Brownie Pull Me Off (₹395) Dense, deeply chocolatey, with the caramelized biscuit note of Biscoff running through every bite. A crowd-pleaser in the truest sense.

3. Classic Tiramisu(₹395) The benchmark dessert, made properly. If you judge a restaurant by its tiramisu, this one will not disappoint you.

Conclusion: One Visit Is Never Enough

Nova House isn't the kind of restaurant in Mira Road where you arrive, eat, and forget. The menu is wide enough and varied enough that every visit surfaces something you missed the last time, a dim sum you skipped, an Asian main you were curious about, a dessert you ran out of room for.

This guide anchors that first experience. Order boldly, try something outside your comfort zone (the Ras Malai Tres Leches or the Burmese Khow Suey, if you need a nudge), and come back with a different set of people for a different reason.

FAQs

What is the most popular dish at Nova House for a first-time visitor?

The Harissa Paneer Tikka and the Ras Malai Tres Leches are consistently among the most talked-about dishes at Nova House. For non-vegetarians, the Chicken Kharda Spring Rolls and the 911 Chicken Wings are strong first-visit choices. The Burmese Khow Suey is ideal if you want a main course that's genuinely different from anything else on the menu.

Is Nova House good for vegetarians?

Absolutely. The vegetarian menu at Nova House is extensive and thoughtfully crafted. From Bhavnagari Chilly and Brie Pops in starters to Harissa Paneer Tikka and Malai Broccoli from the tandoor, through Asian mains like Thai Green Curry and Exotic Veg Balinese Curry, to truffle dim sum and pesto pasta, a vegetarian diner will never feel like an afterthought here.

What type of cuisine does Nova House serve?

Nova House is a multi-cuisine restro-bar in Mira Road, Mumbai. The menu spans Indian (Tandoori, Curry Kingdom, Biryani), Asian (Dim Sum, Sushi, Burmese, Thai, Chinese), and Global (Pizza, Pasta, Risotto) cuisines, all curated by Chef Krishna Khetle. The kitchen is designed to offer something for every preference within a single dining experience.

Is Nova House suitable for a date night or a group dinner?

Both. The ambiance designed by Misbah Kapadia of Design Konstruct combines contemporary décor with warm lighting and a vibrant bar setting. On weekends, Nova House hosts DJ nights and live music, making it equally suited for a lively group outing. For a quieter, more intimate experience, a weekday evening visit is recommended.

How much does a meal for two cost at Nova House, Mira Road?

A comfortable meal for two, including two starters, two mains, bread, and one dessert, typically ranges between ₹2,500 and ₹3,500 before beverages and taxes. Note that Nova House levies a 5% service charge in addition to applicable government taxes.