14 new restaurants across India that should be on your dining list

A string of new restaurants have opened their doors to diners recently, and we’ve made the decision of where to dine easier for you with our curated list. From festive menus to exciting places to eat across Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore, it’s never been a better time to step out for a meal.

Mumbai

Project Hum 

Farm-to-table gets a fast-casual makeover at Bandra’s latest Project Hum. With an aim to democratize menus and to bring farmers who grow our food to the forefront, the restaurant works with a network of farmers across various states to source its ingredients and puts them in the spotlight through their ‘farmer of the month’ features. The emphasis is on healthy dishes and locally-sourced ingredients—think wraps, sandwiches, bowl meals, and more.
Where: Shop no.s 16 and 17, Gasper Enclave, Pali Hill, Bandra (W).
When: Monday to Sunday, 11am-11pm

Love Crummbs by The Lovefools

Chef Sarita Pereira, the brainchild behind the restaurant The Lovefools, has recently collaborated with chef Aniket Sawant to open a new bakery that features unique takes on classics like Kerala beef chilli fry Danish, Kashmiri brioche naan, and soft Japanese buns. Got a sweet tooth? Indulge in their pillowy brioche buns that are stuffed with rich chocolate ganache or fruity raspberry crème pat. 
Where: 14/C Boran road, Ranwar, Bandra (W), Mumbai
When: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-9pm

Si Nonna’s

Riding on sourdough’s immense popularity, Si Nonna’s at Kamala Mills is the city’s newest pizza place. The pizzas are done in the traditional Neopolitan way—the dough is fermented for 24 hours for the characteristic lightness. Apart from the signature pies, try their airy focaccias that feature a variety of toppings and the deep-fried croquettes that have gooey, cheesy insides. 
Where: Shop 12, 13, Kamala Mills, Lower Parel, Mumbai
When: Monday to Sunday, noon-12am

Ditas

Ditas, having made a mark with the Delhi crowd, has now opened its doors in Mumbai. The popular resto-bar, with chef Ravi Ranjan leading in the kitchen, brings together food from all over the world in a fun menu—you’ll spot dishes inspired by Spanish, Mediterranean, and pan-Asian flavours. The bar menu too, finds its roots in cities across the globe. Sip on creative drinks like lavender love, a heady mix of vodka, lavender and cranberry air, the spicy el patron made with tequila, jalapeno, pineapple and coriander, and the havana moon made with white and dark rum, along with guave and lime. 
Where: Ditas, World Crest ground floor, Lodha, 402, Senapati Bapat Marg, Mumbai
When: Monday to Sunday, noon-1:30am

Ekaa—new menu

Curated by chef Niyati Rao, Ekaa has a refreshing new tasting menu inspired by the season. You’re in for a delicious surprise (the menu is presented directed instead of being printed) with each dish on the 10-course menu taking inspiration from interesting seasonal ingredients like Indian Himalayan rainbow trout, fermented bamboo shoots, axone (fermented soybeans from Nagaland), among others. Don’t forget to make a reservation before you head to the restaurant. 
Where: Kitab Mahal, 1st floor, D Sukhadwala road, Azad Maidan, Fort, Mumbai
When: Tuesday to Sunday, 12:30pm-3:30pm, 7pm-12am

CinCin X Aaraku—new menu 

CinCin has joined hands with coffee brand Araku, to introduce an exclusive roast and a coffee menu. Coffee fiends will enjoy the specialty coffee drinks like barbajada, which is a hot Milanese frothy drink, cold brew spritz, and the chocolate shakerato, among others. Pair your cuppa joe with a menu that features small bites like Italian-style savoury doughnuts, flatbreads, and chickpea fritters. 
Where: Raheja Towers, near Dena Bank, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East
When: Food pairing menu available from 4:00pm-7:00pm 

Seeds of Life—new menu 

Seeds of Life has introduced a brand new menu that features healthy alternatives for your everyday cravings. Choose from wholesome options like harvest sandwich with avocado and sautéed vegetables, truffle edamame fried rice, and a green Thai curry bowl packed with veggies and tofu. 
Where: Seeds of Life, Bandra and Juhu
When: Monday to Sunday, 11am-11pm

Pune

Butter Bar and Kitchen

Experience your bohemian-themed mood board in real life with Pune’s latest restaurant offering—Butter Bar and Kitchen. Done up in muted tones of dusty pink and beige, with pops of greenery, the restaurant has both an indoor and al fresco dining space that can seat up to 180. The cocktails are all inspired by different art forms—from theatre and dance to photography and painting. Take your pick from drinks like barrel-aged floral tequila and elderflower gin with a berry sorbet that don’t shy away from using bold techniques such as butter-washing and sous vide infusion. Non-alcoholic drinkers should give the choco melon a try, which is a mix of watermelon, white chocolate, and rose. Grab your favourites from their snackable menu that is a mélange of Asian and European dishes like zucchini fries, truffled edamame risotto bowls, and flamed pimento hummus. 
Where: Vasudha V-18, unit R-1, ground floor, Balewadi high street, Pune
When: Monday to Sunday, noon-1:30am

Cobbler and Crew

The brand-new cocktail spot in Pune is all about the shining a light on craft tipples—the small but mighty has 12 eclectic cocktails that are made using locally-sourced ingredients and dishes, like thecha, Kolhapuri chillies, and more. The snack situation is sorted too, with dishes like sourdough tartines, khachapuri, and jackfruit doughnuts. 
Where: Ground floor, Barons Club, opposite Jogger's Park, Palace View Society, Pluto Society, Kalyani Nagar
When: Monday to Sunday, noon-1am

Delhi-NCR

BrewDog

BrewDog, a Scotland-based multi-national brewery that already has two outposts in Mumbai, is finally in Delhi NCR with the opening of their branch in Gurugram. The Millenium City has a thriving brewery culture, and BrewDog fits right in with its offering of 30 beer draft taps, as well as plenty of cocktails, wines, and spirits options to choose from. Don’t give the pub grub a miss—BrewDog is known for its indulgent burgers and buffalo wings. And if you’re in the mood for something healthier, pick one of their salads. 
Where: T1-104 plaza level, One Horizon Centre, DLF phase 5, Gurugram
When: Monday to Sunday, noon-2am

Amaltas

The rise of tapas bars in India is clearly on the rise, and Amaltas is a new addition to the growing list. Applying the tapas concept to Indian dishes, the modern menu puts the spotlight on nibbles, small plates, and snackable breads, and is curated by chef-owner Udit Maheshwari. The restaurant takes its name from the eponymous yellow flowers Delhi is known for, and you’ll find a reflection of it in the bright and vibrant interiors. 
Where: M-25, first floor, M-block markert, Greater Kailash 2, New Delhi 
When: From Monday to Sunday, noon-11pm

Kolkata

Monkey Bar—new festive menu 

Monkey Bar in Kolkata has added a special all-day small plates menu to join in on the upcoming Durga Pujo celebrations. Called Pujor Adda, it features unique take on classics like kosha mangsho sliders and mochar seekh kebab, made with banana flower and sweet potato. The festive specials will be available from September 23 to October 9, 2022 and are perfect to feast on between festive shopping and pandal hopping. 
Where: 9th floor, Fort Knox building, 6 Camac street, Kolkata
When: Monday to Sunday, noon-12am

Bangalore 

Zodiac Bar and Kitchen 

Putting a starry twist to dining out is the new Zodiac Bar and Kitchen, located in Marathahalli, the city’s IT hub. The ambiance is heavily inspired by star signs—the staff all don zodiac-themed uniforms. The al fresco dining space offers a mix of cuisines from Indian to European—don’t miss their chicken risotto, butter chicken pasta, or the quinoa kebabs, and sip on their signature cocktails as you tuck into your meal. 
Where: 42/3, Marathahalli main road, Silver Springs layout, Munnekollal, Bengaluru
When: Monday to Sunday, noon-12:30am

Horizon, Sheraton Grand Bangalore

Got a date coming up? Then you should be making a reservation at Sheraton Grand Bangalore’s new pan-Asian restaurant, Horizon. Situated next to the lounge, the premium restaurant offers a perfectly romantic setting and enviable views of the city’s skyline. It is rustling up classics from cheung fans (Chinese rice noodle rolls), to sushi, and maki rolls. Pair it with Japanese whiskies and gins from around the globe and you’re in for an extraordinary dinner. 
Where: 26/1, Dr. Rajkumar road, Malleswaram, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru
When: Tuesday to Sunday, 6pm-11pm

 

Lead image: Monkey Bar Kolkata