Nikita Khandheria is the CEO of Ditas, a stunning addition to Sausalito’s waterfront. Remarkably, she turns 21 this year—talk about young ambition!
What do you do?
My team and I just opened a Coastal Californian restaurant in downtown Sausalito.
Where do you live? On the cusp of Tiburon and Corte Madera, walking distance from Nugget.
How long have you lived in Marin?
I was born at Marin General Hospital, but my parents made the decision to move to India when I was four. I returned to Marin at 15 and have lived here since.
Where can we find you when you’re not at work?
Opening Ditas has been all-consuming, and I’m still an international college student half the time!
If you had to convince someone how awesome Marin is, where would you take them?
We’d start our day with a hike on Mt. Tam, followed by breakfast at Rustic Bakery in Larkspur. We’d then head to the batting cages at McKinnis, working up enough appetite to then go to Ditas (obviously!). We’d end with a night drive up to the Headlands to take in the beauty of our county.
What is one thing Marin is missing?
Nightlife! I want to go out dancing with my friends when I’m feeling low, but I can’t seem to find a place in Marin.
What’s one bit of advice you’d share with your fellow Marinites?
Moving is never an option; you cannot find a paradise like this anywhere else.
If you could invite anyone to a special dinner, who would it be?
Phunsukh Wangdu (Rancho), from the film 3 Idiots, has been a mentor through the television screen as far back as I can remember.
What is some advice you wish you knew 20 years ago?
Walking gets easier! Twenty years ago, I was about four months old, so I don’t know what advice my little self would need!
What is something that in 20 years from now will seem cringeworthy?
Cancel culture has led some of us to feel the need to push others down. I believe we’ll realize that we missed the opportunity to uplift and support each other instead.
Big question. What is one thing you’d do to change the world?
I’m dedicated to promoting economic independence among women in developing countries—empowering them will create a ripple effect of positive change in their communities and beyond—nobody ever deserves to feel helpless like that.
Keep up with Khandheria at @ditas.marin on Instagram.
Nish Nadaraja was on the founding team at Yelp, serves on the San Anselmo Arts Commission and attempts to play pickleball at Fairfax’s Cañon Club.
