Mumbai's Flavor Explosion
Mumbai welcomes a wave of exciting new culinary destinations this May, catering to a spectrum of tastes. In Indiranagar, FOMO offers an authentic taste of Northeast
Thailand and Vietnam with hand-pounded pastes and charcoal-grilled delights like crispy pork belly and vibrant bánh xèo. Khar's Chuim Village hides a micro-restaurant, 66 Chuim, from the Phat Fillings team, serving comforting pot pies and sandwiches with a focus on quality coffee and sodas. Meanwhile, Kala Ghoda's Portal presents a chic all-day bistro transitioning seamlessly from morning coffee to late-night cocktails, featuring global comfort food and inventive drinks. BKC's Downtown29 is a sprawling indoor-outdoor venue ideal for after-work gatherings, boasting global small plates and innovative cocktails. For a vegetarian-forward experience, Cafe Como Xo in Kala Ghoda offers a relaxed setting for long meals with poke bowls, pastas, and egg-centric dishes. Bandra's Pali Hill introduces Alba, a charming pasta bar specializing in handmade Italian comfort food with a focus on shareable plates and non-alcoholic "Dry Bar" options. Santacruz's Laguna transforms from a tropical café by day to a tequila-forward bar by night, drawing inspiration from the Americas with dishes like deep-dish pizza and enchiladas. Vikhroli's Ringo is a boulangerie and viennoiserie hub focused on technical baking, expanding to offer small plates and wine throughout the day. Bandra's Ranwar Village sees the charming Everhome Cafe open in a restored bungalow, blending vintage decor with a unique dining experience where items are also available for purchase. Andheri West's RumBabaa is an all-day café dedicated to specialty coffee and a vinyl-listening setup, serving breakfast bowls, small plates, and pizzas. Finally, Thane expands its culinary landscape with Chaitanya, bringing its established Malvani kitchen to a larger space, focusing on heirloom recipes and coastal sourcing. Pali Hill's The Deli offers a relaxed, all-day café format with familiar yet flexible dishes, including a pet menu and an in-house pantry.
Chennai's Cocktail Craft
Chennai is stepping up its bar game with Roc-A-Coe, a standalone bar in NRK Street that elegantly revives the spirit of early punch houses and classic cocktail manuals. This establishment curates a drink menu divided into intriguing sections like 'Vestiges of Old Madras' and 'Cool Cups & Dainty Drinks'. The cocktails are masterfully constructed using punch-style logic, emphasizing the balance of spirit, citrus, spice, and dilution, all while incorporating local ingredients and familiar flavor profiles. Complementing the beverage program are delightful small plates such as coconut-crusted prawns and beef empanadas, making it an ideal spot for leisurely, sit-down drinking sessions where patrons can delve deep into the cocktail offerings. The price for two is approximately Rs600, positioning it as an accessible yet sophisticated destination for cocktail enthusiasts.
Hyderabad's Modern Indian
In Jubilee Hills, TheySee emerges as a 65-seater modern Indian restaurant spearheaded by chef Suryansh Singh Kanwar. The culinary philosophy here is deeply personal, with each dish meticulously crafted and linked to a specific person, place, or cherished memory from the chef's extensive culinary journey across various homes, kitchens, and cities. This narrative approach is evident in signature plates like 'Shetty Anna’s Murg Party,' a flavorful Mangalorean ghassi served with brun pav, and 'Smokey AF Butter Chicken,' a rendition inspired by Punjabi indulgence. For those with a penchant for innovative twists on classics, 'Oh So Corny' offers a multi-layered interpretation of bhutte ka kees, while 'Not So Chilli Cheese Toast' ingeniously transforms a Hyderabad bar staple into a shahi tukda-style dessert. The drink menu also features creative cocktails such as 'Masala Market' and 'Nazar Na Lage'. This vibrant establishment is perfectly suited for lively group dinners, especially if you can snag an outdoor table to savor the experience. The estimated cost for two is around Rs1,000.
Bengaluru's Bar Innovations
Bengaluru's Koramangala district introduces Naked & Famous, a unique establishment centered around a striking octagonal bar. What sets this venue apart is its innovative drink menu, which categorizes cocktails by their preparation technique rather than by spirit. Patrons can explore options under 'Built,' 'Stirred,' 'Shaken,' and 'Neat,' allowing the method of creation to guide their selection. Bartenders engage directly with guests at the counter, fostering a more interactive and personalized drinking experience. Complementing the expertly crafted beverages are delectable small plates such as bacon skewers and crab and lychee wonton cups. Naked & Famous is the ideal destination for evenings that prioritize the bar experience, where guests can engage in conversations about their drinks and enjoy multiple rounds. The approximate price for two is Rs2,000.
Gurugram's Culinary Hub
Gram Street, located in DLF Phase 1, marks the triumphant return of chef Vanshika Bhatia, presenting a sophisticated café that masterfully balances spaciousness with meticulous attention to detail. The culinary offerings are designed to be equally impressive whether enjoyed in-house or ordered for delivery. The menu spans a delightful array, from delicate laminated pastries and hearty sandos to refreshing salads and artisanal gelato. Standout dishes like the 'One Night Stand' sando and 'Aspara-go-go' exemplify the seamless integration of culinary technique and practical execution. Patrons can also indulge in unique beverage creations such as the 'Croissant Gelato Latte' and pistachio gelato. Gram Street is perfectly suited for those seeking quick, satisfying meals, convenient coffee stops, or efficient takeaway options. The cost for two is approximately Rs1,200.
Mumbai's Diverse Flavors
Mumbai's culinary scene welcomes a host of new eateries, each offering a distinct experience. Lisa's Lanka in Bandra transitions from a popular pop-up to a permanent Sri Lankan bistro and bar, exuding tropical energy with bold, shareable plates like kottu and hoppers, alongside arrack-based cocktails. In Kala Ghoda, Portal provides an all-day bistro and bar ambiance, drawing inspiration from local architecture and serving comfort food from congee to lamb sandos, complemented by creative cocktails. BKC's Downtown29, a large indoor-outdoor venue, caters to after-work drinks and group dining with global small plates and innovative cocktails. Cafe Como Xo, also in Kala Ghoda, is a veg-forward café ideal for leisurely meals, featuring poke bowls, pastas, and egg dishes. Alba / Pasta Bar in Bandra's Pali Hill focuses on handmade pasta and Italian comfort plates in a casual, shareable format, complete with a unique "Dry Bar" for non-alcoholic options. Laguna in Santacruz offers a day-to-night tropical café-bar experience, with a menu spanning American classics from deep-dish pizza to enchiladas, becoming a lively drinks-led spot by evening. Ringo in Vikhroli is a boulangerie and viennoiserie specialist that expands to an all-day dining space with small plates and wine. Everhome Cafe, nestled in Bandra's Ranwar Village, resides in a restored bungalow, offering a charming ambiance with vintage collectibles that are also available for purchase. RumBabaa in Andheri West is an all-day café emphasizing specialty coffee and a vinyl listening setup, serving breakfast bowls, small plates, and pizzas. Chaitanya in Thane brings its traditional Malvani kitchen to a larger space, focusing on heirloom recipes and coastal flavors like surmai fry and fish curry. Lastly, The Deli in Pali Hill continues its Alibaug-born all-day café concept, offering familiar yet flexible dishes, a pantry, and a pet menu, ideal for slow mornings and meals with furry companions.
