Everyone walks into a restaurant hoping for something that feels real—good food, smooth service, and an experience that understands them. Yet, the disappointment is familiar when that expectation is not met: identical spaces with no character, menus that blend into one another, service that slows down at the wrong moment, and even essential ingredients that run out. These gaps in everyday dining are exactly where Ishaan Bahl’s leadership makes a difference.
As the CEO of 145 Cafe and Bar and the Third-Generation Custodian of Khyber, Ishaan Bahl has transformed modern hospitality by combining efficient operations with heritage-inspired innovation. He works on every part of the dining experience, using data to improve menus, creating lively spaces for young communities, and updating systems without losing the tradition and charm of Khyber, a 70-year-old culinary landmark.
Under Ishaan’s leadership, 145 has grown into a vibrant urban hangout, celebrated for its bold ideas and engaging experiences. At the same time, Khyber continues to be a timeless destination cherished by travelers, celebrities, and food lovers. Its enduring legacy and international appeal are reflected in visits from notable global figures, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Through consistent brand growth, operational excellence, team development, and innovative dining formats, Ishaan continues to raise the bar in hospitality, inspiring others with his vision and purposeful approach.
A Vision for Modern Dining
Ishaan Bahl stands as a unique link between modern innovation and long-standing culinary tradition. His entrepreneurial journey began at 21 with the creation of 145, a brand built on the understanding that today’s diners look for culture, community, and meaningful experiences—not just food.
145 began as a gastronomic homage to the spirit of Mumbai, distilling its heritage into flavours and eventually into art—art served on the plate, and art seen across its walls and ceilings. Inspired by the city’s eclectic taste in cuisines, the menu brings local favourites with a signature 145 twist. Old Bombay charm meets modern design in an all-day space offering global comfort food with playful creativity, including in-house specialties like the Freakshake and Cotton Candy Head. Over time, 145 has expanded to include global favourites, creating a dynamic and immersive experience for every guest.
Over the years, 145 has grown into a multi-location presence shaped by a micromarket-first strategy, where each outlet is designed around the character of its neighbourhood. Every location adapts its music, menu, cocktails, design elements, and programming to reflect local behaviour and energy, giving each 145 its own identity while staying connected to its surroundings.
Alongside leading 145, Ishaan also serves Khyber, a Mumbai institution now in its 65th year. Many of Khyber’s signature dishes still use his grandmother’s original recipes and are prepared by chefs and artisans who have been part of the restaurant for three decades or more. This continuity of people, craft, and technique has helped preserve Khyber’s authentic character across generations.
Crafting a Unique Identity in a Crowded Market
Establishing a distinct identity in an already crowded dining market was one of the biggest challenges for 145. Ishaan Bahl approached this by grounding the brand in deep hyperlocal insights; each outlet was thoughtfully developed only after studying the neighbourhood’s footfall patterns, corporate activity, nightlife energy, and customer behaviour. This careful attention to local dynamics ensured that every location felt relevant, vibrant, and connected to its community.
A key driver of 145’s growth has been the integration of AI into its operations. Leveraging AI-driven systems, the brand optimises procurement, flags inefficiencies, predicts demand, and informs menu engineering, enabling faster, more accurate, and data-backed decision-making.
At Khyber, the challenge was different but equally significant: evolving the restaurant without compromising its rich legacy. While the space received modern enhancements, its emotional core—the original recipes, artisanal craftsmanship, and decades-long culinary team—remained intact. This careful balance of tradition and innovation has preserved Khyber’s identity and reputation, highlighted recently by a visit from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, cementing its status as a globally recognised culinary landmark.
Every Outlet, A Unique Community Experience
Ishaan Bahl has implemented unique strategies that set 145 and Khyber apart in the hospitality industry. At 145, each outlet is thoughtfully designed to reflect the character and behavior of its specific locality, ensuring that every space feels relevant and connected to the community it serves.
The brand also leverages AI-powered tools to monitor procurement, track waste patterns, evaluate vendor performance, and forecast demand, providing the team with greater operational clarity and control.
At Khyber, the focus is on preserving authentic culinary heritage—three generations of craftsmanship, time-honoured recipes, and long-serving artisans come together to deliver a level of consistency and authenticity that remains unmatched.
A Decade of Consistent Profitability and Growth
For Ishaan Bahl, success is defined by sustainability, authenticity, and long-term brand endurance.
At 145, this vision is reflected in the impressive reach of each outlet, serving between 12,000 and 14,000 guests every month, totaling nearly 70,000 across five locations. Even more remarkable is the brand’s financial discipline—145 has maintained ten years of uninterrupted monthly profitability, with every outlet turning profitable from the day it opened. This consistency reflects a strong operational foundation and a profitability-first approach.
At Khyber, success is rooted in heritage and generational loyalty. Its steady consistency, deep lineage, and emotional connection with diners have made it one of India’s most enduring and respected restaurants.
65 Years of Culinary Legacy
A legacy of excellence, innovation, and culinary mastery defines both 145 and Khyber, reflected in every guest served, every recipe preserved, and every milestone achieved:
- 145 serves nearly 70,000 guests every month across all its locations.
- The company has maintained profitable operations every single month for the past decade.
- Khyber continues to uphold a 65-year culinary legacy.
- Several chefs at Khyber have dedicated 30 to 35 years to the restaurant, preserving generational culinary craftsmanship.
- Many of Khyber’s signature dishes still follow the original recipes passed down from Ishaan Bahl’s grandmother.
- Khyber has recently expanded into high-end niche catering for luxury weddings and private clients, both in India and internationally.
Luxury Catering for Exclusive Events
Khyber is actively exploring international alliances with luxury hotels and resorts, aiming to bring its legacy cuisine to global markets. In addition, the brand has recently expanded into a major new vertical: high-end, niche catering for weddings and private clients, within India and internationally. This allows Khyber’s iconic flavours to reach diners beyond its Mumbai location while staying true to its authentic culinary heritage.
Under Ishaan Bahl’s leadership, two new concepts are underway:
- A Japanese dining brand is launching in Kala Ghoda in March 2026.
- A cloud-based burger delivery brand launching in December 2025, designed for national scale.
The New Hospitality Standard
Ishaan Bahl foresees three major trends reshaping the hospitality industry:
- Experiential dining that goes beyond the plate.
- AI-driven operations for agility and precision.
- A growing consumer preference for authenticity, transparency, and craft.
With 145 driven by innovation and Khyber strengthened by its heritage, he believes brands are well-positioned to adapt to these shifts and lead as these trends continue to evolve.
Hosting International Dignitaries
Ishaan Bahl considers the two most notable achievements of his journey to be the enduring legacy of Khyber and the contemporary impact of 145.
Khyber continues to be regarded as a landmark dining destination for dignitaries, travelers, and global personalities, with the recent visit of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer marking a particularly significant milestone.
Meanwhile, 145 has carved its place as a trendsetting urban hangout, regularly featured in leading lifestyle and hospitality publications for its modern approach to youth culture, thoughtful design, and dynamic nightlife programming.
Advice For Emerging Leaders In The Hospitality Industry
Ishaan advises emerging leaders in hospitality to focus on building strong systems before scaling their business. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the numbers clearly, as operational and financial clarity is key to sustainable growth. He also encourages leaders to empower their teams, giving them the confidence and ownership to make decisions that improve the guest experience. Most importantly, he reminds them that hospitality is emotional—guests may forget the details of a meal, but they always remember how a place made them feel.
Rigorous Food Safety Protocols
Ishaan Bahl ensures ethical practices, customer privacy, and trust across both brands by maintaining strict standards. He focuses on transparent pricing, strong food safety measures, and responsible alcohol service. Guest privacy is protected through consent-based communication and secure data handling. Regular hygiene audits and compliance checks help maintain accountability and deliver a consistently reliable and trustworthy experience for every customer.
Media Features
Over the years, 145 and Khyber have been featured widely across leading hospitality, food, and lifestyle publications. Together, the two brands have earned nearly 100 awards since their inception, highlighting their consistent excellence, cultural influence, and strong industry recognition.
Notable media coverage for 145 Café & Bar includes:
- Economic Times (ET Hospitality World: 145 Cafe & Bar is expanding beyond Mumbai, highlighting Ishaan Bahl’s growth strategy, expansion plans to Kolkata and Delhi, and the brand’s business model.
- Telegraph India: Park Street welcomes a popular F&B brand from Mumbai, 145 Cafe & Bar, covering the Kolkata outlet, its design, food concept, and founders.
- Hindustan Times: 145, a new café and bar in Kala Ghoda, offers comfort fare with a twist, profiling its concept, menu, and ambiance.
- APN News: Step into 145 Cafe & Bar, celebrating delicious moments in Delhi, highlighting its nostalgic-meets-modern design, menu, and entertainment features.
Quick Takes
- Recommended tool: The AI-driven operations dashboard used across 145.
- Quote: “Legacy is built daily. Not inherited.”
- Advice for entrepreneurs: Build systems before scale.
- Book recommendation: Good to Great by Jim Collins.
Ishaan Bahl’s 5 Impactful Business Mantras
- Elevate Every Experience: Focus on creating authentic, memorable dining experiences that connect with guests beyond food.
- Blend Tradition with Innovation: Preserve heritage while adopting modern strategies, technology, and design to stay relevant.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Use AI and analytics to optimize operations, forecast demand, and enhance efficiency.
- Hyperlocal Approach: Tailor each outlet to its community, reflecting local behavior, tastes, and culture.
- Build Sustainable Systems: Prioritize operational clarity, financial discipline, and empowered teams for long-term growth.
