Savya Rasa

The truest representation of the varied cuisines of all the South Indian states Serves South Indian cuisines Atmospherics: This modest-sized space is a game changer for South Indian restaurants. It has come to the NCR without a single false note or concession to the famously fastidious North Indian palate. There is a front door that…

Yellow Brick Road

Twenty years old and still going strong Serves: The food of the Raj Atmospherics: It was a sensation twenty years ago, when the coffee shop of The Ambassador Hotel came to life. Who had ever heard of a young, vibrant space that celebrated life? Other coffee shops (as all-day diners used to be called) were…

The Hong Kong Club

A cross between dining and nightclub Serves Cantonese, with a twist Atmospherics: One would not have thought that the great civilization that China is, would be up for a bit of tweaking of its food, but that is exactly what is happening in Delhi. The good news is that it is barely 5% of this…

Ziu Revisited

If only all Delhi’s restaurants were this inspired Serves Modern Thai Atmospherics: In an ideal world, all restaurants would be built to accommodate only as many diners as the chef felt capable of cooking for, and all chefs would own their restaurants, besides heading the kitchen. That is what the chef-owner of Ziu does: manages…

Tres: The Second Coming

Effortless excellence in this chef-led restaurant Serves European Atmospherics: A bar with high chairs around it, a private dining room, an open-air enclosure near a tree, regular tables, chairs and sofas – and all this is on the ground floor. The music – Spanish and Portuguese ageless classics – and the fact that at least…

Kampai

A piece of Japan in our city Serves traditional Japanese Atmospherics: On the ground floor of the spanking new Worldmark 1, Kampai is akin to a trip into an izakaya in Japan, so startling is the resemblance, but then, the young proprietress has been visiting Japan since the age of 7 and has wanted to…

Omya

Indian flavours with London polish Serves Traditional Indian with modern presentations Atmospherics: There are few takers for Indian food for lunch, I have always noticed. That is the reason why Indians choose to dine at threesixty degrees next door, leaving the overseas guests in the hotel to dine at Omya. A vast pity that we…

Kwality

Gracious old dowager in a new avatar Serves Indian and Continental Atmospherics: It is scary how few historic restaurants our city has. Considering that Delhi has had a rich history for even the last hundred years, there is little to boast about in the way of grand old restaurants. Those that are above 50 years…

Music & Mountains

You’ll lose yourself in the mountains Serves: western casual Atmospherics: After a day spent tramping about the city, retreat into the mountains, right in the middle of Greater Kailash Market. The (mostly retro) music is played at a low volume, the lights – that replicate candlelight – are low (you’ll have to use your cellphone…