Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a culinary adventure across India! The festive season is upon us, and with it comes a flurry of exciting new restaurants opening their doors, ready to serve up delectable dishes and create unforgettable dining experiences. From Mumbai’s buzzing culinary scene to the vibrant streets of Delhi and the serene landscapes of Goa, we’ve curated a list of the coolest new spots to add to your must-visit list.
Mumbai
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Yemen Cafe:
Step into a sanctuary of Middle Eastern charm at this new Bandra coffee shop, where the aroma of Yemeni coffee beans fills the air. The owners, Abbas and Hussain Dalal, have created a space that evokes the region’s rich heritage with Persian-style rugs, clay pottery, and brick-lined walls. Indulge in a wide selection of coffees and teas, accompanied by breakfast plates, petit bites, and desserts like kunafa. Don’t miss the Arabic-inspired flavors like za’atar croissants.*
Phat Fillings:
Get ready to sink your teeth into delectable pot pies, both sweet and savory, at this new culinary venture by Chef Vidit Aren, who brings his expertise from fine dining restaurant Soufflé S’il Vous Plaît. Phat Fillings aims to elevate the humble pie with rustic flavors and flaky pastry dough, offering a welcome alternative to the usual burger and pizza options. Choose from flavors like buff mince and smoked cheese, truffle mushroom, and butter chicken, with an assortment of tartlets for a sweet finish. Keep an eye out for the monthly specials, starting with a fiery ghee roast chicken pie this September. Order online through Zomato and Swiggy for delivery across Mumbai.*
Abokado:
Tucked away in the bylanes of Bandra, this Japanese-style cafe celebrates the goodness of South Indian avocado in its unique dishes. With its pleasant green tones and minimalist decor, this cozy 12-seater cafe provides the perfect setting for a quick meal. The menu features DIY poke bowls, Japanese souffle pancakes, hamachi aguachile, and mango yuzu mousse cake. Abokado also offers a robust tea and coffee program with organic pour-over coffee, Japanese matcha and sencha teas, kombucha, and lemonades.*
Coastal Kitchen:
Embark on a culinary journey across India’s diverse coastal communities at this sprawling restaurant with elegant interiors. Savor modern twists on traditional Indian coastal fare, with dishes like sigdi ghee roast with Mangalore prawns, cauliflower chilli fry, fish koliwada, Kerala potato roast, puran poli phyllo rolls, and hearty sharing platters. Complement your meal with refreshing coolers like aam panna and sol kadi.*
The Mahalaxmi Racecourse Restaurant:
The iconic restaurant has undergone a sophisticated revamp after 25 years, embracing a charming new look and expanding its longstanding menu. While retaining its old-world colonial-era charm, the space has been reimagined with sleek walnut flooring, custom candlelight chandeliers, and wall sconces. The updated bar features equestrian-themed memorabilia from the 1900s. The menu features new dishes like daab chingri (Bengali-style prawn curry served in a tender coconut), chicken Chettinad curry with flaky parathas, dhansak dal, and mango-raspberry symphony for a sweet finish.*
Khao Man Gai:
Chef Seefah Ketchaiyo and Karan Bane, a husband-wife duo, have launched this new venture dedicated to the popular Thai street food, also known as Hainanese chicken and rice. Currently, the focus is on deliveries and takeaways, with plans for a cozy eatery or storefront in the future. Indulge in comforting portions of chicken and rice, available in steamed, deep-fried, or grilled chicken variations, paired with flavorful sauce and clear broth, perfect for this rainy weather. Order online via Swiggy or dine-in at Seefah in Bandra West.*
Izakaya:
This new eatery offers quick-service Japanese meals in a self-ordering izakaya setting. Choose from Donburi bowls, fiery ramen, plump gyozas, and bao-gers (a unique fusion of bao and burger), all complemented by boba tea frappes and kombucha. Helmed by Chef Parvez Khan (ex-Wasabi by Morimoto), the cozy ambience blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary design, from the signature glossy red wall to a serene zen garden.*
Masque:
This award-winning experiential cuisine restaurant celebrates its 8th anniversary with a new tasting menu available throughout the month. Curated by Chef Varun Totlani, the 10-course tasting menu pays homage to Indian ingredients and the country’s vast culinary repertoire. Savour dishes like Nawabi lamb floss kebabs, farra from Chhattisgarh, and a piquant sunchoke ghassi with podi and cashew chutney from the South. End on a sweet note with indulgent bread-based desserts.*
Ristorante di Ritu Dalmia:
Chef Ritu Dalmia’s chic Italian restaurant has launched a new menu that celebrates the goodness of seasonal bounty. Embark on a culinary journey through Italy with rustic plates like creamy baked ricotta with cherry tomatoes, chilled roasted cauliflower soup, saffron poached pear and goat’s cheese salad, and roasted pepper risotto with cheese fonduta. Don’t miss desserts like the light and airy fresh mozzarella cheesecake served with a cookie crumble sable for the perfect end to your meal.*
Burma Burma:
This specialty Burmese cuisine restaurant and tea room marks its 10th anniversary with a new menu showcasing the different regions of Burma. The ’10-year trail dine-in’ menu offers homestyle recipes like highway meal parcel from Yangon, tar la baw (a soul-warming, sun-dried bamboo broth featuring pounded ginger, basil, and rice vermicelli noodles from the Karen tribe in Kachin, Burma), and eclectic drinks and desserts like durian float, Burmese milk tea cheesecake, and tropical fruit pavlova.*
The Bombay Canteen:
Chefs Viraf Patel and Darius Madon have crafted a new menu for this regional cuisine-forward restaurant, celebrating the rich culinary heritage of Mumbai. Savour dishes like pressed lamb with mint and Parsi sirka chutney, ratatouille with bhaji masala, spicy imli karaage chicken, raw mango and jaggery prawns, and mawa cake rum baba.Pune
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The Green Room:
Escape the city’s hustle and bustle at this new restaurant in Koregaon Park, offering a tropical oasis with soothing tones and earthy design accents. Settle in for a leisurely brunch or cocktails in the indoor or al fresco dining space. The menu draws inspiration from India’s culinary diversity with a contemporary spin, featuring dishes like Manipuri black rice crisps, salmon kokam ceviche, prawns rasam, and fluffy breads like rogani naan and sheermal.Delhi-NCR
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The Blue Door:
This high-energy restobar brings a taste of San Francisco to Delhi, inspired by founder Puja Sahu’s travels through Napa, Sonoma, and Healdsburg in California. The mid-century-style decor creates a warm and inviting atmosphere with wooden accents, terrazzo tables, and patterned upholstery. Chef Adam Timney helms the menu, focusing on farm-to-table dining with influences from Mexican, Italian, Mediterranean, Japanese, and Korean flavors. Enjoy dishes like smashed potatoes with gochujang aioli, salt-roasted beets, hamachi crudo, Baja-style cauliflower tacos, and chicken asado.*
Kamei:
This sleek new modern Asian restaurant and cocktail bar, from the folks at House of FIO, offers nuanced East Asian flavors with a menu featuring seasonal ingredients and experimental plates. The interiors are inspired by Japanese minimalism with curved walls and muted lighting. Embark on a culinary journey through the region with dishes like classic dim sums and sushi, tangy coconut sea bass ceviche, chilli tuna tartare, and adobo curry. Save room for the ingredient-forward cocktails.*
Olive Bar & Kitchen:
This popular restaurant, part of AD Singh’s Olive Group, is expanding with two new outposts in Khan Market and Gurugram. Enjoy coffee, cocktails, or a leisurely meal at each outlet, each showcasing its own unique character and cozy charm. Indulge in fare like creme brulee pancakes, Parsi benedict, and sushi tostada, paired with expertly crafted cocktails.*
The Leela Palace New Delhi:
This specialty Italian cuisine restaurant has unveiled a new menu helmed by Chef Daniele Di Sacco, bringing his visionary approach to Italian fare. The menu features elevated classics like creamy risotto oro e zafferano, gnocchi with the classic combination of black truffle and mushrooms, baked polenta with a zesty puttanesca sauce, or a rich burrata nestled atop a medley of vegetables.*
The Lodhi – The Dining Room:
Chef Adwait Anantwar, known for his innovative take on Indian-Japanese flavors, has launched a new tasting menu, complemented by an immersive cocktail experience. Work your way through different courses featuring dishes like aam papad with tuna, corn raab with soba and Naga-smoked pork, and gulkand-stuffed mochi for a sweet finish.Mohali
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one8 Commune:
Virat Kohli’s restaurant chain has launched a new outpost in Mohali, Punjab. Experience the signature one8 ambiance in this sprawling indoor-outdoor space, featuring a 16-foot high bar as a focal point. Stone-clad walls and textured finishes add to the design aesthetic. The menu draws from local inspirations and includes dishes like kala chana chaat hummus, masala bhutta, and kesar pista tres leches.Jaipur
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Hyatt Regency Jaipur:
This hotel’s specialty cuisine restaurant has unveiled a new discovery menu, taking you on a culinary sojourn across erstwhile French Pondicherry, Dutch Malabar, Mughal Rajputana, and Anglo-Indian regions. Indulge in hearty fare like dal maharani with kasturi naan, Dalhousie chana dal ghoogni, fish orly with kasundi mustard, and a vintage pineapple upside-down cake.Goa
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Poee:
Inspired by Goa’s bread culture and its much-loved poee, this new eatery is nestled in the heart of vibrant Panjim. The 64-seater space features pleasant hues and lush botanicals. The humble poee (sourced from local poders or bakeries) is elevated in different avatars, from shakshuka and hummus to a chicken Madras curry and other dishes.*
The Little Beach Shack:
Located in the lush environs of sleepy South Goa, this quaint restaurant is an ideal spot for a sundowner with cocktails or a laid-back meal in the midst of nature. Positioning itself as a modern kitchen & bar serving globally-inspired fare, the menu features locally sourced seafood and farm produce. Enjoy wood-fired oven pizzas, tapas-like salads, bisque-forward soups, and other hearty fare. The cocktail program features sea-inspired concoctions, perfect for enjoying with live music on the weekends.Bengaluru
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The Terrace:
This new restobar boasts sweeping views of the city and the famed Cubbon Park from its rooftop location. The kitchen dishes out global-inspired fare and craft cocktails, while the menu features comforting dishes like soft shell crab bao, sourdough pizzas, drunken noodles, kimchi mandu, and a range of Indian bar bites with a focus on tandoor specialties.*
Mulberry Shades:
Discover this new Asian cuisine restaurant when visiting Nandi Hills. Focusing on flavorful bites and local ingredients, enjoy a meal while soaking in the panoramic views of the lush hills. The menu features dishes like Asian broth with morel goji berries, soft shell crab and prawn summer rolls, Kochi lobster, and Bannur lamb, alongside small-batch cocktails.*
