If you’re planning your Valentine’s Day and wondering where to take your date, our guide to the new restaurants in India will help you pick a place that will impress them with your initiative. From homely East Indian meals to progressive Indian food and hidden speakeasies to sunny brunch spots, there are a host of culinary offerings that are worth checking out in your city. Pick a place—or multiple, if you’re feeling ambitious—and make your plans.
Mumbai
The award-winning restaurant chain from ITC Hotels has just set foot in Mumbai bringing its progressive take on South Indian cuisine to the city. A frontrunner on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, here you have a choice of five tasting menus that vary from seven to thirteen courses, taking you on a culinary journey across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. With its modernist interpretations, the dishes are uniquely presented, such as the distilled tomato rasam in a French press that’s poured into a martini glass, the raw mango pudding with an edible ghee candle and an egg-shaped fennel panna cotta for dessert served in a bird’s nest made out of angel hair caramel.
Open for dinner only. Address: ITC Maratha, Sahar Village, Andheri East. Tel: 022 28303030
Chef Freny Fernandes has just launched her new labour of love, a homely cafe and diner serving East Indian recipes as well as desserts from her patisserie, Moner. The cheerful space, which she describes as an extension of her living room, features linen lamps, chequered tablecloths, wallpapered ceilings, pastel-hued walls and other accents you would typically find in an East Indian home. Nosh on hearty fare such as fugias or East Indian fried bread, spicy bottle masala potatoes and vindaloo tacos. There’s plenty for those with a sweet tooth, such as crème brûlée French toast, Fernandes Rocher and a tall sundae layered with jelly, vanilla cake and custard cream.
Address: Shop no.11, Silver Pearl Building, W, Waterfield Road, opposite China gate, Bandra West. Tel: 07770014123
Making its way over the sea link, Mag St., best known for its moreish bakes, pizzas and plated meals, has opened a breezy new outpost in Bandra, evolving from a cafe to a full-fledged restaurant. Featuring al fresco seating surrounded by botanicals and an expansive indoor dining section, the space easily transitions from a cosy breakfast nook to a slick dinner spot. A focal point is the large marble table laden with baked goodies and 10-ft windows which allow plenty of sunlight in. New to this outpost is a bar serving craft cocktails. Owners Gauri Devidayal and Jay Yousuf have added a personal touch with artwork collected from around the world.
Address: Construction House A, 24th Road, Opposite Khar Telephone Exchange, Bandra (W). Tel: 09867433238
Chef Devika Manjrekar, who runs the popular Toast Pasta Bar as well as Toast Doughnut Shop is bringing her wickedly good doughnuts to the suburbs. Inspired by her time in London, the store is done up in minimalist blue and white hues with limited seating. The hand-rolled, slow-proofed brioche doughnuts are signatures on the menu in flavours such as jam and custard, lemon meringue, salted caramel and honeycomb. The store will also offer freshly baked cookies, cakes by the slice and brunch staples including eggs, sandwiches, salads, coffee and kombucha.
Opens February 10. Shop no 1, 16th Road, Simple premises Opp Canara Bank. Bandra west. Address: Tel: 09324036099
The US-based Asian cuisine chain has just opened its first outpost in the country, bringing its signatures and classics, along with some India-forward dishes, including Jain-friendly ones. The 140-seater space offers the option of al fresco dining and features its iconic murals, a sweeping cherry blossom tree and plenty of vivid red accents. We suggest getting the dynamite shrimp, Mongolian tenderloin and spicy Kimchi fried rice, paired with Asian-inspired cocktails.
Address: Ground Floor, One Lodha Place, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel. Tel: 08655833294
Showcasing homely Indian cuisine, this new eatery draws inspiration and recipes from home kitchens and chefs around the country with ingredients that celebrate India’s vast culinary diversity. Derived from the Sanskrit term ‘mool’ which means ‘from the source’, it offers unpretentious fare in a cosy setting, with dishes such as paaya shorba, tandoori lamb chops, gehat ki dal and chicken ghee roast, among others.
Address: 30, Ground Floor, Fort. Tel: 08657057482
The popular Asian chain has expanded to Thane with its eighth outpost in the city. The highlights of the space are the red waffle ceilings, lots of greenery and sophisticated blue and grey accents. The menu lists crowd-pleasing fare from dumplings and sushi to fiery noodles and vegan desserts.
Address: Level 1, Viviana Mall, Thane. Tel: 09819828537
Having started out as a delivery kitchen, Maiz has just opened its first dine-in outpost in the city, offering patrons a taste of Mexico’s vibrant flavours. The cheery-hued outlet serves up punchy fare, including loaded nachos, burritos, customisable wraps and bowls with an assortment of fresh salsa and coolers.
Address: East Zone, 1st Floor, Food Court, 25B. Phoenix Palladium, Lower Parel. Tel: 09967043193
The modern Cantonese restaurant has teamed up with menswear couturier Kunal Rawal for a limited-edition collaboration. The dining experience is meant to be immersive, from the décor featuring the mythical dragon to bespoke table mats designed by Rawal and a menu that offers specialties such as avocado and passionfruit salad, prawn and kumquat, black truffle mushroom dumplings and a spicy chocolate mousse to end the meal with. Pair this with the selection of craft cocktails.
Address: 206 Krystal, Waterfield Road, Bandra West. Tel: 08355877777
To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, Koko has recently unveiled a limited-edition menu, featuring a selection of delicacies. Choose from golden luck dumplings, longevity noodles, royal truffle kailan and an assortment of sushi and dim sums. For a sweet finale, try the plate of prosperity—a lemon-flavoured mousse with apricot jelly and golden ice cream. The restaurant is also hosting traditional lion dances.
Address: C Wing, Trade World, Kamala Mills Compound, Ground Floor, Lower Parel, Tel: 07715963030
Pune
This new bistro, which has evolved from a QSR (quick-service restaurant) format to a bona fide restaurant, is spread over an expansive 4,000 sq. ft. offering a comforting take on classics. The space is done up in shades of copper, terracotta and earthy tones with an al fresco dining section and a bar that is divided between indoors and outdoors. The menu, spearheaded by chefs Suvir Saran and Vardaan Marwah, lists fare such as sourdough pizzas, salads, Vietnamese summer rolls, ramen bowls and other global-inspired plates.
Address: Address: Murphies Bistro and Bar, Suvarnarekha Boulevard, Prabhat Road, Erandwane. Tel: 08087999149
Delhi-NCR
Known for its vegan eats, People of Tomorrow has just launched its second all-vegan restaurant. This outpost will also feature an omakase, a cocktail bar styled as a retro speakeasy and a menu curated by seven chefs from diverse culinary backgrounds. For instance, chef Anahita Dhondy will curate Parsi favourites like Akuri (but vegan) and chef Anukriti Anand will riff on a cassata. The idea behind this is to challenge the common perceptions of vegan cuisine. The space itself is eco-friendly, built with the concept of fluid shapes and forms.
Address: 5, ground floor, Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar. Tel: 09315916153
There’s a new spot in town for lazy breakfasts, brunch and specialty coffee in a pleasing ambience. The Belgian chocolate boutique and cafe has opened on MG Road with a space that offers an all-day menu featuring bites such as truffle parmesan Belgian fries, upside-down tartlets, curried chicken puffs, breakfast signatures and bowl meals that you can enjoy with coffee, herbal teas and a selection of whimsical desserts. You can even purchase boxes of their couverture chocolate.
Address: First Floor, The Marquee, 140, Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, Ghitorni, New Delhi. Tel: 07360036003
The high-energy bar has just launched a new edition of its moonlight brunch, held weekly on Saturday evenings. Nosh on an extensive Italian and Mediterranean spread featuring black tiger prawns with white wine, truffle potato with creamy fondue, shish tawook, flatbreads and more. There’s also live music while the mixologists will whip up cocktails of your choice from the menu.
Address: Lobby Level, 19 Ashoka Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi. Tel: 011 41191040
This new pizzeria is the first of its kind from the Smoke House Deli label and offers diners a taste of artisanal wood-fired pizzas. Take your pick from Neapolitan-style pies to naked pizzas and panuzzo in flavours such as burrata chilli jam, Avo BLT and Siciliana that you can enjoy with boozy shakes, sangria, cocktails and an assortment of homemade ice creams.
Address: 1st Floor, DLF Avenue, Saket, New Delhi. Tel: 07838890142
Perfect for a pit stop between shopping, a coffee break or catching up over post-work drinks in a vibrant setting, this is the second outpost in the country located in Gurugram. From the house of Jamie Oliver Restaurants, here you’ll find a breezy ambience and a menu that offers sharing platters, light salads, pizzas, pastas and other dishes.
Address: Ambience Island, DLF Phase 3, Sector 24, Gurugram.
Chef Auroni Mookerji of Kolkata’s Sienna Cafe has teamed up with Chef Bani Nanda of Miam Patisserie for a collaboration that will marry Bengali cuisine with traditional French pastry. This also includes the launch of a limited-edition ceramic ware collection designed at the Sienna team’s pottery studio in Bolpur, West Bengal. The 5-course tasting menu (veg and non-veg) set around a community table will feature dishes such as pot pie with mash and gravy, bombolini with bajaar butters, fondue eggs and more.
Available on February 10 and 11 for brunch and dinner. Address: The Miam Studio at Lado Sarai, New Delhi. Book here
Goa
Reopened in an all-new avatar and nestled along the rugged coastline of the sunshine state, Rockpool makes for a chic beach setting that is perfect for sundowners and cocktails by the pool. The Edge is a separate fine dining space on the premises, while the pool area features cabanas and a relaxed beachside vibe. Order tapas and small plates such as peri peri lobster forminhas, corn ceviche from the Mediterranean raw bar, paella skillets and stone bowls, along with cocktails like smoked vanilla old fashioned.
Address: W Goa, 495/2, Vagator Beach Road, Vagator. Tel: 08326718888
Set in a sprawling Portuguese bungalow, this is the restaurant chain’s first outpost outside Mumbai. The warm interiors featuring vibrant hues and a garden setting that is reminiscent of a rainforest make for a charming experience. The menu lists flavours from Tamil cuisine; think mushroom pepper fry and Coromandel clams, and Madras railway curry, poriyal and payasams.
Address: 1111, Road, near Orchard Stores, near Corporation Bank, Mazal Waddo, Anjuna. Tel: 09619222074
A new addition to Goa’s burgeoning food scene, Feri Bar is brought to you by the folks behind ventures like Burmese restaurant, Sopo and Room One. The name pays homage to the ferries that cross the state’s waterways and the restaurant is located just metres away from Betim ferry point. Unwind with cocktails at the copper bar as you watch the meandering Mandovi River and nosh on grills such as Australian lamb chops, hoisin duck and slow-roasted herb carrots.
Address: Near Anglers Nook Restaurant, 167-B, road, Alto- Betim Porvorim, Verem. Tel: 09156145044
Bengaluru
Bringing flavours from the Deccan and Carnatic regions, Chennai-based Kari Theory has just opened an outpost in Bengaluru with a menu that spans dishes such as Coorgi chicken roast, Bannur mutton pepper fry, Udupi neer dosa and Kundapur chicken curry. The 72-seater space makes for a chic setting for leisurely meals.
Address: Radisson Bengaluru City Centre, Yellappa Chetty Layout, Gangadhar Chetty Road, Ulsoor. Tel: 06364900199
In a nod to classic British pubs, Sally is steeped in old-world charm with its warm, maroon-hued interiors, patterned floors and lush greens. Here, you can enjoy a variety of beers and comfort plates such as naan bombs, whipped feta with chilli garlic prawns and Mangalorean specials like ghee roast.
Address: 3rd Floor, Phoenix Mall of Asia, Hebbal. Tel: 08792571522
Nestled in the heart of Koramangala, Jugni is the new kid on the block offering a progressive take on Indian cuisine. The warm ambience in shades of cream and taupe makes for a pleasing setting while the menu traverses the length and breadth of the country with dishes such as champaran mutton, kebabs, fish koliwada and kulchas.
Address: 52, 5th cross, 60 ft road, 6th block, Koramangala Tel: 089712 63741
Kolkata
.jpg)
The city of joy has a bright new spot to relish Mexican flavours. Mimicking an Oaxacan-style cantina, the space is done up with vibrant accents, high ceilings, arched corridors, talavera tiles and murals. Mixology is a focal point with a margarita bar and spicy cocktails in classic Mexican flavours. Choose from sharing plates, tamales, burritos and cheese empanadas, and end on a sweet note with churros stuffed with vanilla custard, a velvety cajeta flan or rose and pistachio tres leches.
Address: Jubilee Court, 11/1, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Kankaria Estates, Park Street Area, Tel: 06289167237
Also read:
A village near Mussoorie taught me how to appreciate the food of my homeland
I hated the kitchen until I realised it was a connection to generations of my family
