In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to curate a list of the best fine-dining restaurants in India since newer ones keep bursting onto the culinary scene even as the existing ones continue to thrive. Post-Covid, Indian diners have proven to be more than willing to spend big bucks to ensure they’re getting the best of everything: taste, service, ambience, ingredients and overall experience. Our guide to the best fine-dining restaurants in India—across Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Udaipur and Goa—will help you plan a delectable meal with your loved ones even when you’re travelling.
Mumbai
Masque
A Relais & Châteaux member, Masque was awarded the Best Restaurant in India 2023 by Asia’s Top 50 Restaurants’ jury. Situated in a former textile mill, it is a 1,250-square-foot eatery featuring understated, modern interiors. Established by restauranter Aditi Dugar, Masque is well-known for its flavourful progressive Indian dishes crafted using the freshest local ingredients. Chef Varun Totlani’s 10-course summer tasting menu features innovative dishes with seasonal ingredients. Our favourite plates from this menu include Aamras Puri, Corn Masala Papad, Water Chestnut, Pandi Curry with Jackfruit Sausage, Tadgola Momos in Passion Fruit Thukpa, Clams in Goda Masala and Mawa Mousse.
Address: Unit G3, Shree Laxmi Woollen Mills, Shakti Mills Lane, Off Dr Elijah Moses Rd, Mahalakshmi. Tel: +91 98190 69222
Indian Accent
Having dropped anchor in Mumbai a few months ago alongside continuing its successful run in New Delhi, Indian Accent at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre has phones ringing off the hook with diners clamouring for a table at the booked-out restaurant. In addition to enjoying the fountains that go off in the evening and sequestering your family in one of the two private dining rooms, a feast fit for a food critic awaits you at Indian Accent. Try the burrata chaat, lotus root papdi, mustard tomato jam, aab gosht, Kanyakumari crab and, of course, the not-to-be-missed Daulat ki Chaat.
Address: Gate 11, Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, BKC, Mumbai. Tel: +912235251500
Akina
A modern Japanese eatery, Akina is a 5,000-square-foot restaurant in Bandra West with stylish decor elements reminiscent of Japanese spring flowers. Akina recently launched the Izakaya Social Club, a five-course tasting menu, which includes a selection of contemporary Japanese tapas. From this offering, dishes such as the Rock Corn and Water Chestnut Nori Taquito, Spinach and Soba Noodle Salad, Prawn Toast Okonomiyaki, Mushroom and Kimchi Dumplings, Tokyo Wing Yakitori, and the Coconut Chawanmushi are crowd-favourites. Akina has hosted the likes of celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Malaika Arora and Sachin Tendulkar.
Address: Golden Palace, Turner Rd, opposite Mala Sinha Bungalow, Bandra West. Tel: +91 89764 52911
Trèsind Mumbai
Featuring aesthetically pleasing interiors, Trèsind Mumbai is an inventive Indian fine-dining eatery. Chef Sarfaraz Ahmed has crafted a degustation menu which includes innovative dishes that celebrate Indian regional food. This tasting menu changes every 3-4 months. Highlights from the ongoing menu include the Pani Puri Poke Bowl, Paniyaram with Parmesan Moilee, Nihari paired with Blue Cheese Tortellini, Kohlrabi Taco, Khichadi of India, Kachaloo, Confit Duck in a Peanut Butter Curry, Imarti Waffle and Khandvi Ice Cream.
Address: Ground Floor, Inspire BKC, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra. Tel: +91 89280 00057
Ekaa
Located in South Bombay, Ekaa is a light-filled eatery with minimalist interiors. This upscale restaurant’s food offerings are cuisine-agnostic and pay homage to rare Indian ingredients. Order chef Niyati Rao’s ingredient-forward 11-course tasting menu and you will not be disappointed. Every dish on this menu is introduced in a unique and fun way. One such course is the Indus Valley, which includes a treasure hunt. It features a Harappan coin, moulded from locally sourced dark chocolate found in Pondicherry with a mulberry and passion fruit filling and hidden inside a soil of dried cocoa bean shells.
Address: Kitab Mahal, 1st Floor, D Sukhadwala Rd, Azad Maidan, Fort. Tel: +91 99876 57989
Koishii
Offering a blend of Peruvian and Japanese cuisines, Koishii is situated in The Penthouse on the 37th floor of The St. Regis. Exhibiting a striking post-industrial setting, the eatery features a library lounge, a primary dining area with a metal bar, an open robata kitchen and sushi counter, and private dining rooms. We recommend Koishii’s Omakase Weekend Menu which includes the Mango Ceviche, Lima to Tokyo Tiradito, Watermelon Carpaccio, Hamachi Ceviche, Salmón Tropical, and Seco Norteño (lamb shank). Grab a table in the main dining area for a fun dining experience.
Address: Level 37, Penthouse at The St. Regis, 462, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel. Tel: +91 86579 07732
Nagpur
Palaash
Snug amidst the flame of the forest and the hopefulness of tiger sightings in Tipai, the luxury resort in Tipeshwar forest, the dinner-only restaurant, Palaash, is Amninder Sandhu’s newest venture. From employing a team of women from the neighbouring village to using ingredients grown on the grounds and local recipes that don’t bastardise them, Palaash believes that the best is always within arm’s reach. Try the ambaadi, chinch, charred ananas and dahi, the ratalu gulab, nimbu, crisp kashiphal and slow-cooked raan. End your meal with the delightful genda phool sorbet.
Address: Palaash, Tipai Wildlife Luxuries, Gondwakadi, Maharashtra. Tel: +91 96997 86275
New Delhi
Dhilli
Dhilli is the newest addition to The Oberoi, New Delhi. Under the mentorship of chef Vineet Bhatia, this eatery is an ode to the diverse culinary traditions of the country’s capital city. The restaurant is named after Raja Dhilu, who, in the 1st century BC, founded one of the earliest towns that form present-day Delhi. The best way to experience the restaurant is by ordering its tasting menu ‘Taste of Dhilli.’ Signature dishes comprise the Chatak Chenna Chaat, Butter Chicken Gujiya, Bengali Fish Paturi, Sarson Chicken Baingan Bharta, Pista Crusted Lamb Chop and Tawa Paneer.
Address: The Oberoi, Dr Zakir Hussain Marg, Delhi Golf Club, Golf Links. Tel: +91 11 2430 4454
The Orient Express
Evocative of the iconic luxury train, which ran from Paris to Istanbul until 1977, the Orient Express has been New Delhi’s most renowned fine-dining restaurant since 1983. The eatery’s interiors recreate a carriage of the train and the ambience of a bygone era. The Orient Express’s Degustation Menu is a thoughtful five-course assemblage of some of the finest dishes that the eatery has to offer. The restaurant’s Dutch Asparagus Soup, Risotto with Butternut and Sage, Camembert Cheese Soufflé, Lamb Chasseur, Griddle Cooked Sea Bass and Warm Chocolate Pudding are must-haves.
Address: Taj Palace, New Delhi, Lobby Level 2, 2, Sardar Patel Marg, Diplomatic Enclave. Tel: +91 11 2611 0202
INJA
This recently opened eatery boasts an inventive marriage of Indian and Japanese cuisines. The restaurant features inviting interiors, including a bar made out of grey stone sourced from Japan and vibrant art by Japanese artists. Chef Adwait Anantwar has crafted a thoughtfully curated menu of dishes that blend Indian flavours with Japanese cooking techniques. The Gobi 65 Maki, Lobster Rassam Chawanmushi, Udon Khasi Curry, Shisu Leaf Tuna, Pomelo Chaat and King Crab Raj Kachori come highly recommended.
Address: The Manor Hotel, 77, Mathura Rd, Friends Colony West, New Friends Colony. Tel: +91 81308 05333
Goa
Maai
Located inside a 100-year-old bungalow, Maai is a restaurant that serves Portuguese-inspired Goan food. The eatery features indoor and outdoor seating that transports guests to popular Mediterranean holiday destinations. Try the Maai Experience Menu, which includes four courses of the eatery’s top dishes such as the Kokum Braised Pork Chops, Peri-peri Chicken Skewers, Chilli Butter Garlic Calamari, Raw Banana Cutlet, Grilled Pineapple and Cashew Stew, Prawn Rava Fry and Serra Durra Cheesecake.
Address: H.No 491, Bouta Waddo, Assagao. Tel: +91 96997 72306
Udaipur
Bhairo
Offering panoramic vistas of Lake Pichola and the majestic Aravallis, Bhairo is Taj Lake Palace’s European fine-dining eatery. Open from September to March every year, this rooftop restaurant’s degustation menu is very popular and offers lip-smacking dishes such as Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Tiger Prawns, Butter Poached Lobster, Potato Gnocchi, Squid Ink Fettuccine with Lobster Ragu, and Apple and Candied Pecan Nuts Crostata with Pistachio Ice-cream.
Address: Taj Lake Palace, Lake Pichola. Tel: +91 294 242 8800
Bengaluru
Lupa
Evocative of a Tuscan art deco villa, Lupa is chef Manu Chandra’s new eatery in Bengaluru. This sprawling restaurant features a scenic patio, a lively main dining and bar area and a private dining section on the mezzanine. Lupa’s expert culinary team serves delightful dishes that are a modern take on Mediterranean fare. Try the Chicken Liver Parfait, Baked Salmon, Hamachi Crudo, Corzetti Ravioli, Chilli Marinated Sea Bass, and Tiramisu, and thank us later.
Address: Ground Floor, NO.86, Spencer’s Towers, Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Haridevpur, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar. Tel: +91 87923 85999
Kasauli
Naar
Photographed by Pankaj Anand
Set in Darwa, a tiny village in Himachal Pradesh, Naar opened its doors to the public on November 24. Helmed by Prateek Sadhu, who was earlier at Masque, the 20-seater restaurant promises experimental Himalayan-forward cuisine with views of the sprawling mountain range. Interestingly, Naar is a part of the sustainable boutique hotel Amaya which has been designed by Bijoy Jain and follows the same environmentally conscious tenet of foraging from the wild. Sample the brined pork, smoked fish bone broth and cured fish seasoned, and end the meal with the cheese trolley.
Address: Tehsil, Amaya Homes, VPO Darwa, Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh 173026. Tel: Phone: +91 97673 00002
Also read:
New Restaurants in India to dine at this November 2023
Goa’s new restaurants are a testament to the sunshine state’s thriving food scene
How intimate dining is fast becoming a beloved culinary trend on India’s food block
