Like it or not, the selfies have moved to the restaurant restroom

Ever since the iPhone became our third ancillary arm, taking a photo of your meal has been the first step of enjoying it. But if you’re tired of that friend who makes you wait as they take that food picture, take heart. Table talk today is centred on one short sentence: “You have to check out the restroom.”

The thing about restroom selfies is that no one’s really judging you here. And restaurants, from Goa to Delhi, are spending lavishly on creating statement bathrooms to take their decor story forward in private. From spaces slapped with bumper stickers to trippy ceilings with surreal projections, here are the coolest bathrooms in India that are worth the trip (and maybe even a second round of drinks).

Mokai, Mumbai

Whoever designed Mokai was clearly spending a lot of hours on Instagram. From its panda-festooned entrance to its graffitied interpretation of ‘The Great Wave Off Kanagawa’, everything at the Chapel Road eatery is designed to be captured. This extends to its compact loo, where bright Japanese magazine covers line the walls, creating a playful, retro-futuristic mood. There’s also a Japanese pop playlist you’ll want to Shazam. Add to that the wall of extendable makeup mirrors (ideal for glam check-ins) and a glowing red infinity mirror that feels straight out of a sci-fi movie, and you have a space that, selfie-wise, is impossible to resist. It’s edgy, unexpected, and 100 per cent part of the Mokai experience.

The Second House, Goa

At The Second House in Goa, even a regular bathroom break turns into a full-blown cinematic experience. Look up and you’ll find projections playing across the ceiling—larger-than-life visuals of dancers, naturescapes or dream-like scenes play on loop. The warm lighting, vintage-style mirrors, and cosy sink setup add to the old-world charm, but it’s the unexpected drama overhead that truly steals the show. It’s immersive, theatrical, and totally unforgettable—the kind of bathroom that makes you linger a little longer just to soak it all in.

Ophelia, Delhi

Inside Ophelia’s bathroom, you’re enveloped in a golden jungle fantasy. Grand chandeliers are draped in beads, and lush murals of wild animals are complemented by mirrored ceilings and highlighted by theatrical lighting. It feels like you’ve wandered into an opulent, otherworldly salon where every corner is rich with texture, glamour, and a touch of surrealism. It’s extravagant, immersive, and designed for those who love their nights out with a little extra magic.

Jolie’s, Mumbai

At Jolie’s, a private member’s club in Mumbai’s Worli area, maximalism’s appeal shines the brightest. Its peak is witnessed inside The Jungaloos, their men’s and women’s loos that are inspired by the city’s flamingo creeks in Sewri and the horse races at Mahalaxmi. Glossy and ’grammable, inside the ladies’ washroom, pink hues, feathered ceilings, and flamingo-shaped sinks create a whimsical, dreamlike setting. Meanwhile, the men’s washroom channels rugged charm, with a dramatic sculpture of a stallion bursting through the walls. Bold, imaginative, and totally Insta-worthy.

Cosy Box, Delhi

Cosy Box’s bathrooms are full-blown art installations with candy-coloured sinks, surrealist mirrors hanging off chunky chains, lush floral murals, and clusters of teal orbs floating overhead. Every corner feels whimsical, theatrical, and totally larger than life. It’s a playful, high-drama space where fantasy meets fine design.

Neon Market, Bengaluru

If maximalism had a temple, Neon Market would be it, and their bathrooms are no exception. Saturated colours, pop-art details, and an anything-goes attitude make every trip here feel like you’ve stepped into a playful, parallel universe—if that parallel universe looked like a Kusama-style video game. Gridded black tiles cover every surface, while a giant neon-lit lucky cat adds a kitschy-cool glow to the room. Geometric mirrors, trippy reflections, and a playful clash of red lights and glossy tiles create a space that’s disorienting in the best way possible. 

Gigi, Mumbai

Clean lines meet whimsical touches at Gigi’s ultra-feminine bathrooms, which come with sun-drenched vanity stations and perfect lighting for a quick refresh or an impromptu photo-op. Chic and playful, it looks like a soft, glamorous retreat tucked away from the city buzz. Think retro-Hollywood vanity lights, plush velvet stools, scalloped rugs, and elegant marble counters with gold fixtures. Warm, peachy walls and playful mid-century details make the space feel inviting—perfect for touch-ups, gossip sessions, or a quick photo-op under the flattering glow. 

PCO, Mumbai

The bathroom corridor at Pass Code Only (PCO), Mumbai, is a whole mood. Vintage barber tools, old-school cameras mounted on the walls, and cheeky, oversized portraits inside the stalls create a playful, edgy vibe. It’s the kind of space that feels less like a speakeasy but part photo studio, part rebel art gallery. Whether you’re struck by the dramatic faces staring back at you or just vibing with the retro details, it’s a bathroom experience that you’ll want to share with all your friends.

Bandra Born, Mumbai

Bandra Born’s bathroom is pure street-style chaos in the best way. Covered floor to ceiling with hand-painted “classified ads” in Hindi and English that cover everything from body-massage posters to lost-cat notices, it’s a cheeky ode to the everyday visual noise of Mumbai’s streets. Look up and you’ll notice a ceiling that glows in changing neon colours, from electric blue to intense red. Here you’ve got a loo that feels wild, witty, and a little rebellious, just like the suburban neighbourhood it is named after.

Lupa, Bengaluru

If London’s Balthazar got a modern update, it would closely resemble Lupa’s private quarters. Vibrant patterned tiles spill across the floors and even onto the ceilings, while vintage-style mirrors, marble counters, and warm lighting create an elegant yet inviting vibe. Soft curtains divide cosy powder areas, and clever mirrored ceilings bounce light and reflections around the room, adding drama. It’s old-world charm meets modern eccentricity—a space that feels luxurious and whimsical.

Boilermaker, Goa

Step inside Boilermaker’s bathroom and you feel like you’ve been transported into a different dimension. At the flick of a switch, the space comes alive—lights dance across the walls, and trippy projections ripple and shimmer as you move, creating an ever-changing, almost hallucinogenic experience. The sticker-bombed door adds a gritty, dive-bar edge, balancing the surreal visuals inside, aided by a tiny disco ball. It’s the kind of space that will make you want to bring back the Boomerang video, just a few seconds longer.

Brunch and Cake, Mumbai

Tucked behind a sliding bookshelf, this speakeasy-style restroom feels like stumbling onto a secret. Inside, a playful twist awaits! At the press of a button, a disco ball spins to life, filling the space with glittering lights and upbeat music. A cosy sofa in the waiting area creates a whimsical little world that perfectly mirrors Brunch & Cake’s love for fun and surprise.

Final tip: Always check the bathrooms before you leave. You may just find the real party happening behind closed doors here.