Our Journey and Milestones at Justbe
Seven years ago, we dared to reimagine healthy eating. This is our story of passion, persistence, and the joy of serving food that loves you back.
The journey of Justbe started when my son's asthma improved on a plant-based diet. He asked, "Where can we eat out?" and I found there were no whole food plant-based restaurants in India. That night, I decided to open one. Six years later, here we are.
When I started, chefs would reject me, saying no one would come to eat this kind of food. But I had a determination to serve good health. Now, a guest told me visiting Justbe felt like he had time-traveled to 2026. This is the universe's work, and I am just doing my part.
It takes courage to take the road less traveled. I wanted to make a healthy lifestyle accessible to everyone, not just an affluent audience. I wanted a 10-year-old to crave my food and an 80-year-old to find something they can enjoy. That is my mission.
The first two months of running the restaurant were so hard, but my survival instinct was at its peak. The joy I get today from serving food, one plate at a time, and seeing the great shift it creates, makes it all worth it. True passion, driven by a noble cause, helps us overcome any challenge.
My first love has always been caring for myself, and my second has been caring for others. The universe gifted me the opportunity to serve plant-based food, sharing this love with so many hearts and souls. There is no greater joy than seeing someone smile after a meal.
My son says I am a trendsetter, from being a housewife who loved rasgullas to a psychologist and now building a beautiful relationship with food. We feel we are the chosen ones to do the universe's work, spreading compassion as the world goes through a spiritual shift.
My son asked me what my journey as a mother has been like, from two children to a team of 35. I am instinctively tuned to nurturing, and I get to shower this on everyone at Justbe. They have become my family, my soul's journey, and it's why I say I only go home to sleep.
Passion is contagious. My son and I share a passion for making plant-based food accessible to everyone. We don't want to walk fast, we want to walk far, together. Our mission is to see a world on a plant-based lifestyle.
It's an exciting and rewarding journey to see conscious and compassionate brands get recognized. This award is a motivation that powers us to keep going. My son Dev and I are so grateful for all the love and support. Onwards and upwards.
It was a proud moment to be featured in the Chef Post 2024 calendar. I've been working non-stop for seven years on my passion project, and it's inspiring to be recognized for the work I do. I'm so grateful to my mentor Chef Anthony, my son Dev, and my entire family for their support.
About Our Journey & Recognition
What you see here is more than just awards; it is seven years of proving that whole-food, oil-free dining can be both gourmet and healing. Whether you are visiting our Sadashivnagar sanctuary or planning an event, please know that my team and I are here to guide you toward a lifestyle where the food you eat truly loves you back.
When I started Justbe in 2017, people told me no one would come to eat food without oil, dairy, or sugar. They said it wasn't the 'hospitality industry' way. But I had a deep survival instinct and a belief that 'Jaisa khao ann, vaisa pao mann' (As you eat, so becomes your mind) was a truth people needed to experience.
My journey from a homemaker to a psychologist, and finally to a restaurant owner, was not easy. It was born from a personal need to help my son and husband heal from their health issues. We started small, but today, seeing Justbe recognized with awards like the BW 30 under 30 and featured in the Chef Post calendar, I feel humbled. This recognition is not for me; it is for the plant-based community that stood by us when we were the only ones doing this in India.
Today, we are more than a restaurant. We are a sanctuary. We operate as a 'farmacy' where we host cooking masterclasses, sound healing sessions, and cater for events across Bengaluru. We prove every day that healthy food does not need to be restrictive or bland. If you are looking to reverse lifestyle diseases or simply want to feel lighter and more energetic, our doors are open. My team of 35 people—my second family—is here to ensure you have a comfortable, nourishing experience. Let's walk this path of compassion and wellness together, one meal at a time.
JustBe
I am Nidhi, and Justbe is truly my heart outside of my body. It started because I wanted my son to have a healthy place to eat, and it grew into this sanctuary where we treat food as nature's medicine. I am so grateful to share this path of conscious, plant-based living with all of you.
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