Come for the landmarks, stay for the food.

By Mahmood Hossain

When travelling to distant lands, one seeks to embrace new cultures, spanning historical landmarks and stunning sights, charming smiles and dialects, and local hospitality elevated by native food and beverages. Out of the lot, as travellers, it’s no secret that our urge to indulge in the local culinary magnificence is at the top of our ‘todo’ lists. And when you’re in a country like India, there is a plethora of magical recipes conjured in bustling kitchens that we can’t wait to try. However, it would take an entire dedicated guide to mention every single new recommended restaurant across India, so we narrowed our focus down to two of the most populated cities in the country. With that in mind, we’ve highlighted recently-launched restaurants and eateries that have kickstarted 2024 on a delectable note and created plenty of buzz in both Mumbai and Delhi.

MUMBAI

Ode

When creatives collaborate, it becomes a celebration. The culinary force behind Indigo and Qualia, Chef Rahul Akerkar has teamed up with Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality to launch Ode. This latest culinary venture musters up familiar, comforting flavours with contemporary twists. Boasting an al fresco dining section, the establishment also delivers an aesthetically pleasing interior with warm tones, leather, wood, and stone accents throughout. Ode’s menu is a combination of smaller bites and sharing plates, such as their Eggplant taco, Choriz tostada served with smoked cashew queso, Peruvian spiced barbeque chicken, or their Charred tiger prawns. Of course, all of it is complemented by a great selection of wines and craft cocktails.

Instagram: @ode.dining

Araku

ARAKU Coffee‘s new restaurant revolves around refined sustainable food production and consumption. Helmed by restaurateur Aditi Dugar, the restaurant, located in Colaba, is based on the concept of regenerative agriculture, focusing on improving the nutrition and biodiversity of soil. But its unique makeup is also found in its split-level space, which is designed by New York-based architect Jorge Zapata and complemented by Bengaluru-based designer Sandeep Sangaru’s choice of local handicrafts. As for the menu, you can tuck into locally-inspired dishes with seasonal ingredients, such as their Tofu and squid crackers, or the Koji-cured chicken. Additionally, there is a relaxing bar and lounge that serves contemporary cocktails, a bakery, and a mezzanine level.

Instagram: @arakurestaurant

Pompa

A city like Mumbai isn’t just rich with local culture, it’s also an environment that nurtures and expands the culinary landscape with an authentic experience, just like the new Mexican eatery, Pompa. Launched by the Tham brothers and partner Saamir Chandnani, the former known for their chain of restaurants such as Koko and Foo; Pompa is headed by Miami chef Jason James Hudanish, who strikes the perfect balance of traditional Mexican flavours with desi levels of spice. The restaurant is as vibrant as one would expect with terracotta flooring, bold shades of red and emerald accents, tasselled lampshades, and a circular bar that serves as the dining space’s centrepiece. This Mexican culinary affair has deservedly created the right amount of buzz.

Instagram: @pomparestaurants

Bawri

Following its Goa launch, Bawri, co-founded by Chef Amninder Sandhu and Sahil Sambhi, has made its Mumbai debut. This high-concept Indian restaurant is an expansive 130-seater ode to Indian craftsmanship with low seating in cane cabanas, a Rajasthani-style stepwell, and a stunning centrepiece of a bar. Their chef focuses on presenting the beauty of slow cooking, providing patrons with dishes such as their Gucchi stuffed mushroom featuring Kashmiri morel; their Litti, smoked baingan, aloo chokha and tamatar chutney, and more. Alongside the Dal makhani slow-cooked for 16 hours, the menu is filled with dishes that have been passed down for generations to Chef Sandhu and influenced by her Punjabi heritage and years spent in North East India and Goa, and her travels throughout rural India.

Instagram: @bawriindia

DELHI

Parra by Khubani

Parra by Khubani takes you on a culinary voyage that harmoniously connects love and gastronomy. Founded by brothers Sharad and Naresh Madan, the restaurant is inspired by the picturesque aesthetics of the Greek Isles, yet provides flavours from Mediterranean, Asian, Continental, and progressive Indian cuisines. Apart from the Instagrammable opportunities, this Model Town upscale café offers dishes suitable for cold Delhi evenings, such as their Raw banana galouti kebab, and if you’re feeling experimental, there is the Avocado dahi puri – a modern take on an Indian street food favourite. From Asian and Italian main courses to its house special cocktails, Parra can be an ideal spot if you’re searching for everything all in one place.

Instagram: @parrabykhubani

Wilde

Wilde, located in Punjabi Bagh, Delhi, is an incredibly vibrant restaurant, where the interior design is fashion-forward and the menu is painted with a combination of global flavours and influences of the Mediterranean and Turkish cuisines. The tropical haven, situated on a rooftop terrace with ambient lighting and lush greenery, creates a fully immersive dining experience. Surrounded by vintage botanicals and wildlife artwork, Chef Agnibh Mudi serves up sizzling-hot dishes straight from the live kitchen and wood-fired oven. Equally enticing is the bar menu, spearheaded by head mixologist Jenu Sunny, where innovation reigns supreme with unconventional techniques. Wilde is dedicated to providing brilliant food, delicious cocktails, and lasting memories of Delhi’s energetic nightlife.

Instagram: @wildedelhi

Qavalli

If you’re searching for an old-world decedent dining experience, the recently crowned ‘Restaurant of the Year’ by The Times of India, Qavalli in Aerocity, may just be what you need. Be swept away with the fragrance of rose and jasmine, soul-soothing qawwalis playing in the background, and the stunning interior featuring gold and auburn details, with exquisite drapes and chandeliers designed by Chromed Design Studio. The visionary behind Qavalii, Dinesh Arora, recently awarded the ‘Restaurateur of the Year’, left no stone unturned to bring guests a luxurious setting with elevated Mughlai cuisine, complemented by cocktails, live qawwali performances every Wednesday and Friday, and impeccable service worthy of a Mughal royal court.

Instagram: @qavallidelhi

Begam

Begam is a rooftop dining experience that is draped in opulence, with intricate paintings adorning its walls, carefully-curated furnishings, and flavours of old transformed by modern twists. Alongside the Sufi melodies and eye-catching hand-painted walls, the restaurant celebrates the culinary delights of Turkey and the Mediterranean – comprised of Italy, Greece, Spain, Israel and Morocco. From the Tartu al funghi and the Lamb adana, to the sweeter treats such as the Pistachio baklava or Baked katai, Begam delivers a dining experience that will transport you to the region of each dish’s origin.

Instagram: @begam.delhi