Kanika Vij Bakshi is a hospitality creative, brand architect, and co-founder of INDN and 16 Sola—two genre-defining experiences in New York City’s NoMad neighborhood. At the core of both ventures is Kanika’s unique ability to translate feeling into space—whether it’s through design, flow, scent, or sound. She brings a deeply intuitive lens to hospitality, ensuring that every detail, from plateware to playlists, feels intentional and immersive.
Kanika’s creative process begins long before a space opens its doors. She works hand-in-hand with her husband and partner Simran Bakshi on everything from menu development and branding to spatial design and guest journey mapping. While INDN embraces a refined, minimalistic approach to authentic Indian small plates and cocktails, 16 Sola—an upscale, red-hued Indian-inspired cocktail lounge tucked beneath INDN—feels sultry, intimate, and globally aspirational. Kanika ensures both venues speak their own language while still feeling part of the same story.
Before INDN and 16 Sola, Kanika co-founded and operated Spice Bazaar in Westfield, NJ—an elevated yet approachable Indian restaurant that became a local favorite for over seven years. That venture taught her the value of consistency, branding, and guest connection—principles that now serve as the foundation for her more ambitious work in NYC.
For Kanika, hospitality is art, storytelling, and soul—all served with precision.