Zohran Mamdani dines at Chef Regi Mathew’s Chatti in New York
Zohran Mamdani visits Chatti in New York, dining at Chef Regi Mathew’s Kerala restaurant. Read how the visit spotlighted regional Indian cuisine.
Ekta Mathew 
NEW YORK, July 02, 2026 — New York City Council Member Zohran Mamdani dined this week at Chatti, the Kerala-focused restaurant led by Chef Regi Mathew, during a visit to Manhattan’s Indian dining corridor.
The visit brought renewed attention to Chatti’s regional South Indian menu and highlighted the growing visibility of Kerala cuisine within New York’s diverse food landscape.
Zohran Mamdani Chatti visit highlights regional Indian food
Mamdani, who represents parts of Queens in the New York City Council, stopped by the restaurant during regular service hours. The visit was shared by the restaurant on its official social media channels, showing Mamdani interacting with the culinary team and sampling signature dishes.
Chatti, which takes its name from the traditional clay pot used in Kerala cooking, focuses on slow-cooked preparations, spice-forward gravies and seasonal ingredients rooted in southern India’s coastal traditions.
Chef Regi Mathew showcases Kerala’s culinary identity
Chef Regi Mathew, founder and culinary director of Chatti, has positioned the restaurant as a platform for Kerala’s lesser-known flavors rather than a pan-Indian menu. The kitchen emphasizes dishes such as vegetable stews, seafood curries and rice-based accompaniments.
Speaking earlier about the concept, Regi Mathew has said the goal is to present Kerala food in its everyday form, reflecting home-style cooking adapted for a New York audience.
Public visits reflect food culture’s civic role
Public officials dining at neighborhood restaurants often draw attention to immigrant-owned businesses and regional cuisines. Mamdani has previously highlighted food culture as part of New York’s social and economic fabric.
Chatti’s team said the visit underscored the restaurant’s mission to represent Kerala cuisine with authenticity while contributing to the city’s broader dining ecosystem.
More information about Indian cuisine and its regional diversity can be explored through Indian cuisine history and traditions.
Businesses monitoring hospitality expansion trends can also explore restaurant industry growth trends for 2026 to understand how regional food concepts are shaping dining markets.
