In this Local Icon series, Neha shares her favourite takeaway, morning routine, and more!
Founder and Managing Director of Three Layer Hospitality and Partner at Kings Global, Neha is a standout figure in the UAE’s food scene. Her Dubai portfolio spans much-loved concepts, including Jun’s, Little Jun’s, Jooksing, 852 Bakery and Circle of Crust Pizza, to name a few. Beyond the UAE, Neha also oversees a growing collection of hospitality brands across India.
Morning routine & non-negotiables
My mornings are intentionally unhurried. I wake up early so I can have that quiet space before the world starts asking for things. I drink warm water, chant, Journal a little, and on most days, I squeeze in a workout. These slow mornings ground me. I notice a real difference in my energy when I skip them. My only true non- negotiable is that the day has to begin gently – I protect that time fiercely. It is the one part of the day that is just for me, and it sets the tone for everything that follows.
Go-to takeaway
Vegetarian Szechuan Noodles from Jooksing. These noodles take me back to my college days. It’s spicy, comforting, and everything I want in a dish.
What’s the one dish you love cooking at home?
A simple pasta I’ve made for my children since they were little. Mushrooms, tomatoes, cheese, and lots of love. It’s not fancy at all, but for them it means home, and that’s what makes that pasta special.
Favourite restaurants
Tresind Studio will always have a special place in my heart. It is one of the few places where Indian cuisine is interpreted with such imagination and respect. Every course feels like a little chapter from India. The flavours are emotional, and the storytelling is thoughtful. The hospitality is incredible, and the whole experience feels very intimate and deeply rooted in my own culture.
And of course, Jun’s. Not because I am part of it, but because it represents everything I personally love about food. There is comfort, heart, creativity, and a sense of belonging. Chef Kelvin Cheung often talks about his own nostalgia behind certain dishes, and somehow, even with our completely different upbringings, those dishes feel nostalgic for me too. That blend of memory and modern technique makes it feel like home. The best food connects people, and that is exactly what Jun’s does.
Top 3 Spotify artists
Diljit Dosanjh, A. R. Rahman, and Lucky Ali – these were hard to choose! I am completely loyal to Hindi music. It carries a kind of emotional familiarity that nothing else matches. Listening to my favourite Hindi artists just shifts something in me.
Currently listening to…
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch. I am only about twenty pages in and already struggling to put it down. It draws you in immediately.
Favourite dining experience
Papa’s in Bombay felt like going to someone’s home for an intimate dinner. 12 diners, warm energy, and the cooking was the kind that comes from a personal place. It was easily one of the best meals I’ve had in a while. The drinks were fab, the hospitality was supreme, and it is definitely the best in India. 10/10 from start to finish, which isn’t something you get in every restaurant.
