India has the most extensive, varied and exciting cuisines in the world. North, South, East, West and every place in between, the ingredients, taste and methods of cooking are different. There was a time not so long ago when you actually had to go to the original place to enjoy their unique dishes.
Not so anymore. Now you can enjoy all regional dishes in your own city. Today, we have excellent restaurants offering special meals in formal, sophisticated surroundings, where the decor, ambiance, quality food and dedicated service are paramount.
Join us on a culinary journey and discover what we have served for you.
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Indian Accent, New Delhi (TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 / 5)
P.C. indianaccent.com/newdelhi
Indian Accent is located in the posh leafy Lodhi Road area of New Delhi. The restaurant exudes ‘incredible lightness of its’ vibes. There is glass everywhere, including a large part of the roof, creating an airy outdoor feeling. That impression is further reinforced by water all around, on which the restaurant seems to float.
The menu is wonderfully rich, varied and gastronomically rewarding. The food is an excellent mix and synthesis of Indian flavors enhanced by classy international wines. Many of the dishes are homely, traditional and sometimes humble but given an inspired twist. However, if you want to get the best of the Indian accent, choose the chef’s tasting menu. This has vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The ingredients are fresh, local, seasonal and organic (when available). The bar also makes some energizing cocktails.
Run by Old World Hospitality and curated by multi-award winner Chef Manish Mehrotra, Indian Accent is more than Indian; it is truly a global dining experience. Indian Accent has been ranked India’s Best Restaurant on TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice forum for three years. It is also on the 50 best restaurants in the world.
Chingari, Pune (TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5)
Chingari is an open-air rooftop restaurant with a rustic feel. It has a beautiful half-timbered screen and roof. When the evening comes around and the night falls, it becomes a fantasy land. The lights and lanterns twinkle between the surrounding trees and shrubs and reflect off the pool, heightening that experience. The atmosphere is romantic with subdued lighting in the restaurant and complemented by colored candle vases on the tables. Nothing loud here!
The furniture consists of locally crafted, simple wooden tables and chairs. The earthy touch can be seen with the tableware and beaten copper water goblets. The outdoor kitchen, grill and tandoor, visible to guests, allow the aroma of baking rotis and marinated meats to waft towards them, adding to their gastronomic thrills.
The food served at Chingari is North Indian – mainly of the Lucknow, Awadhi and Mughlai varieties. The menu is extensive with a wide selection of curries, tikkas and kebabs. The top two favorites and renowned dishes in the non-vegetarian section are the Raan-e-Chingari and the Galouti kebab. Chingari also markets some delicious seafood dishes, most notably Fish Amritsari. The vegetarian menu is also very good with the Dal Makhani and Chingari as the signature items.
The outstanding feature of Chingari dishes and cooking style is that the spices and masalas do not suppress the flavors of the vegetables. Instead, they complement and draw out their essence.
Chingari is rated 15 among the best restaurants in Asia.
Chingari is the epitome of a ‘cool place’ to stay for bright young things. It is located on the roof of the Sheraton Grand.
Villa Maya, Trivandrum (TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 / 5)
The Villa Maya is a beautifully appealing 18th century Dutch Heritage Villa. In its elegant quarters is the great restaurant! You can choose to sit in the mansion or in the open-air courtyard. The terrace consists of a lovely water garden, private curtain-trimmed facades and replicas of the traditional Kerala portico buildings. The latter is really romantic, especially in the evening and at night.
The food at the Villa Maya matches the vibe in every way. The food presentation is attractive and innovative. The menu is extensive and a varied and interesting fusion of Indian and continental dishes.
It must be emphasized that diners should explore Kerala, especially the Trivandrum side of the menu to get the best out of their cuisine. From the exotic and rich ‘tender coconut soup’ starter to the aromatic, spicy Kerala Special and Fish Tikkas, your taste buds will be charmed with deliriousness. The seafood selections are great too. A word of warning to potential diners – the starters are tasty, sumptuous and large which can distract you from the main course. So save some room in your gut for what’s to come.
TripAdvisor has rated Villa Maya 3rd Best in India and 18th in Asia. One of the reasons for that high rating is the helpful, friendly and food knowledgeable staff.
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K3, New Delhi (TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 / 5)
P.C. chefgirishkrishnan.com
The K3 is located at JW Marriot Hotel, New Delhi. The place is a study in polished grace. The walls are interspersed with numerous niches containing attractive oriental pots, urns, lamps and other artifacts. The furniture and furnishings are striking browns and silvery-beige. The whole atmosphere is warm, welcoming and stylishly modern-chic without discouraging guests.
K3 doesn’t fit the usual staid traditional mold for fine dining. On the contrary, it is more the buffet style. The kitchens are live and visible to guests with the one large kitchen on the island dishing out delectable treats. There are also live kiosks scattered around the seating areas. It is best known for its buffets – breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch, which are dazzling, extravagant spreads.
K3 is a tri-kitchen adventure! The name of the place is an abbreviation for ‘three cuisines’ which refers to the North Indian, Tuscan (central Italian) and Cantonese cuisines. This multi-cuisine, international smörgåsbord will give your taste buds and stomach a treat you’ve never had before. To complete the deliciously tasty meal, enjoy some of the best melt-in-the-mouth desserts in town. The selection includes Indian, Italian and German sweet treats.
Please note that advance reservation is required.
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The Black Sheep Bistro, Panaji, Goa (TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 / 5)
P.C. india.com
The owners and operators of The Black Sheep Bistro describe themselves and their establishment as ‘proudly Goan’. The handsome lemon yellow façade framed by scalloped arches and pillars leading to a warm reddish brown wooden door is a sight to behold. You enter a real Portuguese hacienda.
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From the entrance lounge to the dining areas, the colours, decor and atmosphere are decidedly Goan/Mediterranean. This is further enhanced by discreet lighting and cozy spaces, giving the space a warm and intimate feel. You can choose to sit at high tables and bar stools or sink into the luxurious comfort of cushioned chairs.
The menu impresses and can overwhelm you. So seek the guidance of the staff. The food seems both familiar and unexplored. However, you won’t go wrong with the seafood. It’s really Goan! Try the quesadillas for appetizers and braised pork and poutine. Whatever you have, it will be beautifully presented.
The other wonderful pleasures to be had at The Black Sheep are the creative cocktails and select wines. The Managing Partner, Prahlad Sukhtankar is a sommelier so expect the best. All courses are paired with wines, a la the continent.
You will be pampered by discreet, knowledgeable waiting staff and enveloped in themed music while enjoying fantastic food and fine wine. It’s all so chilled and relaxed.
The Black Sheep Bistro was rated No: 6 by TripAdvisor and No: 21 India’s Best 50 Restaurants by Condé Nast.
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Tamra, New Delhi (TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 / 5)
P.C. shangri-la.com
Airy, bright and cheerful is the first and lasting impression when you enter the Tamra in Hotel Eros, Central New Delhi. The large glass windows; high ceilings; strategic lighting; the light colors of the ceiling, walls and furniture and the use of ropes to divide tables and dining areas accentuate the bright and pleasant atmosphere.
Tamra means copper and has been used in ancient Indian cuisine. The collection of gleaming, polished copper pots, pans and buckets hanging above the dining tables underlines that fact. The copper motif continues to the crockery.
Tamra is an all-day, multi-cuisine (five) restaurant. They have brought in chefs from India, Europe, Hong Kong, Thailand and Japan to lead and manage the interactive kitchens. Essentially you get five restaurants in one place and on your scale. That’s really exciting!
The bar is a long oasis of alcoholic delights and the buffet setup is just as intoxicating to the senses.
The food and drinks are off the charts. Combined with its warm and comfortable atmosphere, you will be encouraged to return again and again.
