Jaan to open first standalone restaurant in Mina Zayed

Jaan, a premium casual Indian dining concept from British-Indian entrepreneur Zainab Talati, will open Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed. The launch gives Mama’s Kitchen its first standalone restaurant and aims to reshape how diners experience Indian cuisine through heritage, street-food energy and a modern design-led format.

Why it matters: - Jaan is entering Mina Zayed as a new standalone restaurant in one of Abu Dhabi’s most historic and culturally active districts. - The concept aims to shift perceptions of Indian food by emphasizing lightness, balance and regional diversity, not just heavy or familiar dishes. - The opening extends Mama’s Kitchen from a home project into a larger regional brand with ambitions across the GCC and Asia.

What happened: - Jaan will launch on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi. - The concept was founded by British-Indian entrepreneur Zainab Talati. - Jaan is the second iteration of Mama’s Kitchen and the brand’s first standalone restaurant. - Mama’s Kitchen began as a home kitchen project in 2020. - The brand later expanded into catering, pop-ups, curated cultural events and a presence in the ADNOC Headquarters food hall.

The details: - Jaan will operate Tuesday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Jaan will operate Friday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Jaan will be closed on Mondays. - Talati said the name Jaan means “life” and “soul,” and the restaurant reflects love, heritage and human connection. - Talati said Jaan is an elevated expression of the food she grew up with. - The restaurant offers limited indoor seating and outdoor seating for a neighborhood-style experience. - A street-facing window called “Bites by the Window” will let customers order quick bites to go. - The concept is designed to recreate the pace and spontaneity of Indian street food. - The interior includes archival photography, hand-embroidered wallpaper made by Indian artisans and layered design details that reference heritage in a modern way. - Jaan’s menu draws on home recipes and years of refinement focused on flavor, technique and guest experience. - Signature dishes include Boombastic Biryani, chaats, Monsoon Salads, live grills inspired by Mumbai streets, Butter Chicken Fries and Super Samosas in three flavors. - The restaurant will feature a live chaat counter serving pani puri and spinach crunch chaat. - Quality ingredients, balance and authenticity are central to the menu.

Between the lines: - Jaan is positioning itself as more than a restaurant, using design, storytelling and service format to create a cultural destination. - The brand is betting that premium casual dining can make Indian cuisine feel both accessible and elevated at the same time. - The Mina Zayed location supports that pitch because the district already carries cultural and community significance.

What's next: - Jaan is targeting a broader regional expansion after the Abu Dhabi launch, with growth plans across the GCC and Asia. - The restaurant’s first months will show whether the brand’s mix of heritage, street food and polished presentation resonates beyond its original audience. - Media inquiries can be directed to hannah@thenarrativeglobal.com or +971569493639. - More information is available on Jaan’s Instagram page.