Presenting a delicious spectrum of themes and cuisines, our selection of the best new restaurant launches in India are sure to tempt your appetite for all the good things in life!
By ANANYA BAHL and SAKSHI NAHAR DHARIWAL

UNO IZAKAYA, BENGALURU

Dig into Nikkei-style cuisine that uses Peruvian ingredients shaped by Japanese cooking techniques at this opulent restaurant at the JW Marriott Bengaluru. It employs state-of-the-art plating and a curated ambience to whisk you away to the captivating land of the rising sun. The upscale menu features artfully composed hot and cold small plates that include tantalising sashimis, signature tartares like Midori Asparagus Maki made with 24K glitter and salmon, and divine dishes like Yasai Tempura Moriawase and edamame stirred in chilli garlic and truffle oil with a pinch of pink sea salt. The large plates include mouth-watering delicacies such as the teriyaki bowl and hand-cut noodles. Decorated with avant-garde Geisha-inspired wall art, the bar serves up an impressive curation of mocktails (try the yuzu-infused Ikigai), sake, Ginza-style cocktails (go for Akuma, which combines spicy ginger juice, sweet passion fruit, and tequila), Japanese craft beer, and fine wines. The restaurant is open for dinner service every evening
from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm.

+91 8197097765; jwmarriottbengaluru.com

DHILLI, NEW DELHI

The newest culinary masterpiece by Michelin-starred Chef Vineet Bhatia MBE at The Oberoi, New Delhi, highlights the rich gastronomic heritage of India’s capital city. The restaurant, located at lobby level, boasts a bright colour scheme, reminiscent of summertime amaltas flowers and elegant Lutyens design elements. Its menu consists of thoughtfully curated small plates like Chatak Chenna Chaat made with a delicious blend of yoghurt parfait, dahi bhalla ice cream, and boondi sev sprinkles accompanied by aperitifs. Scrumptious dishes like Nalli Guchi Korma (lamb shank with morels) and Wild Mushroom Khichdi seekh (a combination of tadka makhni and dal maharani sauce) take diners on a delicious journey through the various neighbourhoods of the city, from the heritage of Old Delhi to the Punjabi influences of Rajouri Garden. The aesthetic space also provides the option of a private dining room for intimate gatherings of up to six people. Whether for a weekday dinner, weekend lunch, or dinner affair, Dhilli promises a cultural melting pot along with impeccable hospitality. The restaurant is open between 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm on weekends; on weekdays, it’s open only for dinner
from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm.

+91 11 2430 4454; oberoihotels.com

FLOW – BREW & DINE, NEW DELHI

Located within COMMONS, DLF Avenue, Saket, this restaurant boasts the city’s longest bar! Spread across an impressive 9,000 square feet (with 5,500 square feet indoor space and the remaining covering an expansive open-air terrace with lovely views), the eatery transitions from a relaxed all-day diner to a pulsating lounge at night. Drawing inspiration from the versatile octopus, Flow aims to offer patrons a variety of experiences under one roof. Home to a microbrewery offering eight distinct beers, live sushi and pizza bars, and a menu curated by expert chefs, there’s really something for everyone here. Chefs Ruchira Hoon and Kunal Bahl have seamlessly included Modern European, Asian, Indian, and Mediterranean delicacies into the culinary fare for guests to enjoy. Bite into the pull apart garlic cream cheese brioche, grilled jerk chicken, crispy calamari, avo beet maki, and maguro maki for starters. Try assorted tandoori dishes, the French fry board, mini naan platter, and Indian chicken wings platter for a taste of something different. The espresso magnum and butterscotch crunch are exquisite sweet endings to meals at this multifaceted venue that’s open from 12:00 pm to
1:00 am through the week.

+91 9899199141; Instagram: @flowdelhi

TOYA, TEHRI GARHWAL

Nestled within The Westin Resort & Spa Himalayas, this luxe culinary haven draws inspiration from Chinese, Thai, Korean, and Japanese cuisines. Designed in contemporary elegance, it offers guests breathtaking views of a lush forested hillside, as they savour delicate fare. Expert chefs showcase the art of Teppanyaki cooking on an iron griddle, while a live sushi counter entices patrons to binge to their heart’s content. Crafted by Chef Tawee Chaichana, Toya’s menu harmonises organic, seasonal ingredients with sustainability. Indulge in some of their mouth-watering signature dishes like Tam Som O, vegan tres leches, and stir-fried Asian greens, along with artisanal cocktails and mocktail delights from the lively bar. The Toyatini (made from pineapple, kafir lime, and freshly ground ginger) and Thai Melon are refreshing thirst-quenchers. A seamless blend of traditional and contemporary South Asian design envelops the space, fostering a luxurious ambience. So, here’s welcoming diners to a place where Eastern flavours meet unrivaled luxury amidst nature’s grandeur! The restaurant is open for dinner hours, from 7:00 pm
to 11:00 pm every evening.

+91 7087476088; marriott.com

ERAWAAN, THE CLARIDGES, NEW DELHI

Sophisticated and serene, this fine-dining restaurant is evocative of the glorious colours, textures, and flavours of Thai cuisine. As an ode to the long-standing friendship between India and Thailand, its walls are adorned by Thai artists’ interpretations of the Ramayana, while the ceiling features mesmerising mandalas. Embark on a gastronomic voyage through a menu crafted by Thai Master Chef Tarathip Nooreingsai. Start with their flavourful soup selection like scampi prawn ‘Tom Yam’ and glass noodle ‘Tom Jurd’, among others. Prawn ‘Gapraow’, tofu ‘Tao Hoo’, and ‘Char Muang’ water chestnut dumplings are our appetiser picks. Among the family favourites on the menu are sticky noodle phad Thai’, minced chicken
‘Khao Gapraow Gai’, and egg noodle Khow Suey. End on a sweet note with sweet mango ‘Khao Niew Mamuang’ and crème brûlée ‘Mor-Gaeng’. This Thai extravaganza is on offer for lunch and dinner through the week.

+91 9958791864; theclaridges.com

NAVA, MUMBAI

Representing new beginnings, this ingredient-focused concept restaurant is the epitome of graceful style, and features a curated menu comprising elements sourced from across India and cooked with a delicate European touch. Let’s start with dessert first. Championing the notion of ‘Art on a Plate’, the team, led by Chef Akash Deshpande, dishes up Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night in a sweet avatar with guava jelly, sponge, and painted custard, as though on a canvas. A truffle and cauliflower souffle, mushroom tart with chive caviar, and kokum (Indian mangosteen) tiger prawns are apt starters. For mains, try the gondhoraj lemon-flavoured duck and goat cheese-stuffed house-made fagottini pasta. The food’s simplicity is reflected in the monochrome, contemporary décor reminiscent of a Parisian apartment, replete with edgy lighting. The subway tiles, avant-garde bar, and Banksy-inspired artwork lend a playful vibe that adds to the cerebral dining experience at the restaurant that’s open for lunch and dinner through the week.

+91 9137588440; navarestaurant.in

VERONICA’S, MUMBAI

This laid-back, breezy, and downright funky sandwich shop is housed within a graffiti-adorned building in a bylane of Bandra. Begin with a healthy kombucha (the on-tap Flower Power with roselle and nettle is delish!) before trying an amazing selection of breaded wonders. Meat lovers can opt for Pass The Pastrami (with a mustardy tang) and The Italian Job (mortadella and smoked ham), while pescatarians must sample the Oh Shrimp! Po’ Boy (New Orleans-inspired, with Gochujang in delicious Dutch crunch bread). For vegetarians, Taming the (Mu)Shroom Melt (with truffle cream and sundried tomato) is unmissable. Ask the sommelier for a wine recommendation based on your mood. The dark chocolate and sea salt cookie or espresso cinnamon cake offer sweet finishes. Open from Tuesday to Sunday for breakfast (8:30 am to 11:00 am), lunch (12:00 pm to 3:00 pm), and dinner (5:00 pm until stocks last!).

+91 9372981697; veronicasbombay.com

MISS MARGARITA, GOA

Bite into rustic Mexican flavours in India’s sunshine state at this cool new outpost, helmed by Chef Noah Louis Barnes, in Vagator. Boasting a tropical vibe, the restaurant’s area of 6,000 square feet, 80 per cent of which is al fresco, features earthy colours, mosaic work, and traditional tiles. As an homage to Goa, seafood plays an important part in the menu—think Baja smoked lobster tail, cilantro lime crab taco, and barbeque tequila jumbo shrimp. Vegetarians can sample the beetroot and heart of palm ceviche, spicy kale and jackfruit quesadilla, and street-style corn elotes. Their guacamole, made fresh at your table, is lip-smacking good. Wash it all down with their classic fresh watermelon and lime margaritas. And it doesn’t get any more Mexican than churros and tres leches for dessert! Open for lunch and dinner through the week.

+91 8830674892, Instagram: @missmargaritagoa

AMPM, KOLKATA

This captivating coffee-and-cocktail bar on Park Street seamlessly blends the allure of bygone eras with contemporary culinary experiences. By day, indulge in organic singleorigin nano lot coffee from Nagaland and, as twilight descends, experience a buzzing cocktail bar with live music and expertly crafted drinks that evoke nostalgic memories. Their specialty beans also feature in all their brews and craft cocktails, such as the Park Street Negroni and the Before PM Martini. Globally inspired tapas and authentic trattoria-style pizzas cater to discerning palates. Enjoy locally inspired delicacies with an international twist like the avocado chaat and kachha kela (raw banana) toastones. The welcoming décor, marked by warm neutrals and rich-red accents alongside vintage maps and a hand-painted wall paying homage to music legends, creates an air of luxurious timelessness. Sink into their colonial-inspired furniture with a modern twist as the team promises you a journey that stimulates curiosity and leaves a lasting impression. The restaurant is open between Wednesday and Sunday for lunch and dinner.

+91 9830153317; Instagram: @ampm.kolkata

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