A roughly 5,000-square-foot Indian restaurant will open this fall at 131 Oakview Commons Drive, Suite 109, in Holly Springs, North Carolina, bringing a multi-format full-service concept to the Raleigh-Durham Triangle market.

Malli — Indian Reimagined is the work of three founders: Arunkumar Vijayakumar, Rajesh Arumugam and Bharath Pepaala. All three have lived in North Carolina for more than 20 years and first met in 2007 as separate volunteers at a charity cricket match in the Triangle — a connection that eventually turned into a business partnership.

The concept splits its footprint into distinct revenue-generating spaces rather than a single dining room, a format that lets one address serve multiple dayparts and check occasions.

What will the restaurant actually serve?

The kitchen anchors the offering on traditional Indian flavors reworked through contemporary presentation, with an emphasis on shareable dishes. The menu strategy separates casual grazing from elevated dining across rooms:

• Dahlia — small plates and shared dining, styled after street markets and cafés.
• Tulip — the core dining room and the fullest expression of the upscale menu.
• The Jasmine Bar — craft cocktails built on Indian ingredients including curry leaf, saffron and cardamom, plus wine and spirits.
• Bailey Wine Tasting — a dedicated tasting experience inside the restaurant's wine cellar, pairing curated wines with Indian flavors.

"We believe food has an incredible ability to bring people together," Arumugam said. "Malli grew from our own experience of connecting, and we want every guest who walks through our doors to feel that same sense of generosity, celebration and belonging."

The name carries the concept's positioning. "Malli" means "jasmine" in both Tamil and Telugu; in Telugu it can also mean "come back" — a dual meaning the founders tie to jasmine's role in celebrations and to repeat visits.

How is the buildout structured?

Beyond food and beverage, the layout targets the private-events channel. Magnolia serves as an intimate private dining room for business dinners and family celebrations, while Gardenia is a larger event space positioned for weddings, birthdays, corporate gatherings and milestone events. A Lotus Patio entrance is planned for spring 2027.

The buildout mixes imported and local sourcing. Tiles were individually selected and sourced from Rajasthan, India, and lighting fixtures were handmade for the restaurant. Sthala Architecture's Siddanth Priya handled design work from India.

Local contractors and suppliers include:

• Gateway, the construction company of Pete Zseleczky, with Tom Smith, a Marine veteran, and Fuquay-Varina resident Marina
• Andy Dreier of Raleigh-based CNC Design Solutions for custom metalwork
• Caroline Brown of Copper Top Contracting for interior design
• Kevin Lee of Raleigh-based K&S Supply for the kitchen
• Zak and Justin of Cordinal Consulting on the bar program

The founders say the local engagement will continue past opening day, with planned support for local schools, PTAs, charities and other community causes in Holly Springs and the wider Triangle.

Malli will celebrate its grand opening this fall at 131 Oakview Commons Drive, Suite 109, Holly Springs, NC 27540, with the Lotus Patio addition to follow in spring 2027.