Good Old Mantra

Carnegie’s most comforting dining room just leveled up. Formerly Good Old Mukka, this rebranded space—Good Old Mantra—somehow managed to top its own stellar track record. The kitchen absolutely refuses to cut corners. Think Bombay street cart energy colliding with the unhurried, slow-simmered magic of Lucknow. Those tracking the south-east dining circuit consistently point to the butter chicken—a rich, creamy triumph—and the impossibly soft chicken galauti kebabs. But the real insider move? Ordering the sprawling Desi Bento. It’s a massive, high-value spread packed with vibrant bhel puri that easily feeds two, or diving straight into the crispy palak patta chaat and steamed momos. Owner Swati delivers genuine mehman nawazi—that quintessential, warm Indian hospitality—keeping the dining room effortlessly cozy with perfectly tuned acoustics and razor-sharp service. Whether you're sipping a mango-chili Bombay Heat, the refreshing Maharani Mist, or a sweet Kaju Katli concoction, the menu balances heavy-hitting curries with bright Indo-Chinese chowmein and ample plant-based options. Familiar. Nourishing. Unapologetically authentic. Pull up a chair—you’ll want to take your time with this one.