South Delhi
This superb South Indian restaurant feels like a temple, with a woodcarved interior, waiters dressed as devotees, and incense burning on the exterior…
Must-see restaurants in India
Delhi
Fun, friendly and fabulously colourful, this laid-back east-Asian restaurant, with funky manga art and retro Chinese posters on the walls, has an eclectic…
Kodagu (Coorg) Region
This cute converted bungalow makes a cosy place for a delicious meal, with solid wooden furniture and tribal art. The food doesn't disappoint, either,…
Mysuru (Mysore)
This tiny, no-nonsense place is one of the best spots in town to try the South Indian classic masala dosa (a large savoury crepe stuffed with spiced…
North Goa
Wonderfully unusual food is on offer at this sleek little place serving interesting modern Burmese cuisine with a fusion twist. Aromatic dishes include…
Hampi
Hampi’s most famous restaurant has relocated to an atmospheric tented restaurant in the bazaar but is still run by three generations of the same local…
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
A stylish cafe-resto in a converted suburban bungalow with a great covered terrace. Offers Italian, Mexican, American, European and East Asian dishes,…
South Goa
Pull up a cushion at this chilled cafe and bakery opposite the Colomb road and delve into a superb range of freshly baked breads, croissants and pastries…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Sly Granny is a fresh breath of flavours, serving up European-meets-Asian cuisine. Tables are on two levels, with a formal restaurant zone and a more…
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
One of Havelock’s faves, down-to-earth roadside Anju-Coco offers a flavour-packed menu of zealously guarded Indian-international family recipes, with…
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
One of the best places in town for South Indian thalis (₹220), with delicious dishes and lots of chutneys neatly arranged on a banana leaf. Ten kinds of…
New Delhi
Fabulous dosas, idlis and other South Indian delights. With queues coming out the door, this is the biggest and the best of Delhi's Saravana Bhavan…
Visakhapatnam
One of the city's best-regarded restaurants, with simply superb veg thalis – order a 'Special' for an authentic taste of the South (₹240). The hotel has…
Gokarna
Always packed, this humble-looking place has a prime location just before the town beach. It offers Western food, but it's best to stick to the South or…
New Delhi
A hallowed bargain, the canteen at the Andhra Pradesh state house serves cheap and delicious unlimited South Indian thalis to a seemingly unlimited stream…
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
The veg-only Minerva does superb Andhra and North Indian thalis (with free refills) and fine filter coffee. Staff are efficient and the ambience is family…
Mangaluru (Mangalore)
Terrific, authentic Mangalorean food in very simple, no-nonsense surrounds and very fairly priced. Try the fish fry or prawn fry; sauces are incredibly…
New Delhi
Thalis fit for a king. Treat yourself with food-of-the-gods vegetarian thalis that encompass a fantastic array of Gujarati and Rajasthani dishes.
Karnataka
An interesting concept, this atmospheric modern place specialises in veg barbecues (which you cook at your table). It's popular, so book ahead.
Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh
Cure the curry blues at this romantic rooftop restaurant on Indore’s main avenue of upscale shopping and hotels north of the centre. Mood lighting sets…
Bhubaneswar
This outlet of the small Bhubaneswar chain is widely regarded by locals as the best place in town to sample authentic Odishan cuisine, including aloo…
Pune
Foodies in the know often tout this modern bistro on Pune's upscale west side as the city's best place to eat. Sydney-trained chef Siddarth Mahadik keeps…
Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh
This welcoming cafe run by an extroverted escapee from the marketing business in Ahmedabad does fabulous pure-veg breakfast/brunches that are the perfect…
Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh
With sophisticated European-style interiors throughout its seven open-plan rooms, this superb space is one of India’s nicest cafes. Beyond the excellent…
Parvati Valley
Low-lit and atmospheric, this perennial favourite is reliable for a whole range of traveller munchies, and often serenaded by a Santana soundtrack.
Leh
This branch of the Alchi restaurant offers the same mix of traditional Ladakhi foods given a modern twist and served in contemporary, stylish decor (with…
Ahmedabad (Amdavad)
On the southwestern outskirts of town, Vishalla is a magical experience in an open-air, lantern-lit, rural fantasy setting complete with live cows! An…
Bihar
This stylish new outlet – operated by the hallowed kebab house of the same name in New Delhi – has recently begun treating Patna to its legendary menu…
Chennai (Madras)
Set in an exquisitely converted warehouse with a wraparound veranda from which tables spill out into lush gardens, Amethyst is a nostalgically posh haven…
Aurangabad
Aurangabad's favourite modern vegetarian is loved for delectable pure-veg dishes that really pop with flavour (try the veg handi or off-menu paneer…
Varkala
Fresh local ingredients fuel inspired, artfully prepared dishes at the beautifully located clifftop garden cafe at Soul & Surf. Here zingy mezze platters…
Bihar
For Patna's best food and views, head to this revolving restaurant with ever-shifting vistas over Gandhi Maidan, Golghar and the Ganges beyond. The kebabs…
Mussoorie
Mussoorie’s most famous eatery is also its smallest – a cubbyhole along The Mall that serves what many say are the best omelettes in India. The speciality…
Khajuraho
Raja's has been on top of its game for nearly 40 years, with espresso coffee, English breakfasts, wood-fired pizzas, superb Indian (including tandoori),…
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
This bohemian cafe would look perfectly at home in Europe, but this is Pondy, so there's a cycle rickshaw in the garden. Perfectly prepared dishes range…
Maharashtra
The city's Kolhapuri thali specialist. Meals come in a number of mutton variations as well as chicken and veg. The vibrant curries, the spiced-up dhal,…
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Smart candlelit tables in a palm-dotted, pillared courtyard attached to a colourful cocktail bar create a casually fancy vibe at this packed-out hotel…
Chennai (Madras)
Perfect for a five-star splash-out, the ITC's signature Northwest Frontier restaurant serves inventive, flavour-popping creations at intimate booths…
Konkan Coast
On Malvan’s main drag, this great, family-run place specialises in Konkan cuisine including bangda tikhale (fish in thick coconut sauce), prawns malvani…
Maharashtra
No English inside or out, but this simple but super Maharashtrian stalwart is absolutely excellent for the state's fiery regional cuisine. Try jhunka …
