Setting up in Dadar 
While Surekha and Nitin Walke first opened Chaitanya in Malvan in 1993, they expanded to open in Mumbai's Dadar in 2010 as a takeaway unit near Shivaji Park with only Rs 25,000 before its popularity led to the opening of a 52-seater restaurant near Siddhivinayak Temple

Sourcing of ingredients
While the coconut, kokum, tamarind and seasonal fish continue to be sourced from Malvan, Surekha Walke was so particular about the taste of the fish curry that they would even transport the water from Malvan because Mumbai’s water changed the flavour, and she wasn't happy with that. Over time, through extensive research, trial and error, she mastered the technique of replicating the unique hard water taste for Fish Curry and Solkadhi, which people swear by even today.

Today, they source as many as 10,000 to 12,000 coconuts per month to help them make their dishes in Mumbai

Uniqueness of the food
In the early days, the restaurant as we know it today started its humble beginnings by serving snacks, chaat, and dishes that were popular in Malvan at the time. Over the years, they introduced Malvani cuisine, as more people requested for the traditional dishes, which are part of the menu, that was only half of what it was today

While there are many specials at Chaitanya, did you know the restaurant serves unlimited Solkadhi, fish curry and rice with their thali? While these are applicable with terms and conditions, it is to retain the true staples and essence of every Malvani home

Community and service 
Some of the team members started their journey as servers or even pot washers, and when they noticed their passion and curiosity for the cuisine, they were trained and guided and today have grown with the iconic restaurant into skilled custodians of Malvani food

The restaurant has also been encouraging local women by empowering them through the food business to fulfil product requirements

Beyond Dadar 
While the restaurant has now opened in Thane after Dadar, they opened Nav Chaitanya in Andherin 2019 as an 85-seater restaurant, and even braved the Covid-19 pandemic, like many other food establishments in the city to come out resilient. 

The Walke family has also opened Coast & Bloom in Dadar in 2023 to continue its legacy of serving coastal food in the city