Mumbai (Bombay)
A great place to try Mangalorean or Chinese-style seafood in Mumbai. It’s renowned for its ladyfish, pomfret, lobster, crab (try it with butter garlic…
Must-see restaurants in India
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
Offering comfortable AC surrounds, this hotel restaurant has an eclectic menu, including Western and Chinese dishes, but it's the North Indian food that…
New Delhi
This no-frills, always-busy dhaba (snack bar) is a basic hole in the wall that’s hugely popular with local workers for its famous butter chicken (₹230)…
Delhi
The coolification of upscale shopping enclave Khan Market continues apace with Perch, a wine bar-cafe that's all pared-down aesthetic, waiters in pencil…
Delhi
Upscale Indian restaurant housed in an atmospheric hotel, Kheer welcomes with its cheery decor reminiscent of warm Kashmiri households. Aside from quality…
Mysuru (Mysore)
Rooftop cafe reminiscent of a shack that caters mainly to yoga students, with healthy vegetarian lunch buffets (at 1pm sharp; don't arrive at 2pm or many…
Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
Hotel Broadway's excellent, if quirky, restaurant has wood-panelling, traditional wooden furniture and fascinating bits of bric-a-brac, including a…
Delhi
Opposite the fake Dilli Haat market, 'Delhi Haat', an unprepossessing building harbours the Rose Cafe, prettily pale blue and pink. It's all cake stands…
Calangute & Baga
Overseen by local style queen Yellow Mehta, Fiesta is an intimate candlelight-by-the-pool dining experience that starts with homemade pizza and pasta and…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Inexpensive, old-school eatery that’s a requisite stop before or after visiting Haji Ali Dargah. Mughlai and Punjabi staples dominate, with kebabs…
Mangaluru (Mangalore)
One of Mangaluru's premier seafood restaurants, with a hillside location, sweeping views and a choice of indoor or outdoor seating. Try the clam koshimbir…
Delhi
The newest opening from chef Ritu Dalmia, this chic, airy eatery offers tapas-style and full-size Asian dishes, with tantalising, taste-tingling…
Hyderabad
Consistently recommended by locals for authentic Hyderabadi cuisine, this AC place serves generous portions of flavoursome biryanis at modest prices (veg…
Gokarna
For a very different vibe, stroll up the shore to this chilled French place, a 10-minute walk north from the main section of beach. You'll find authentic…
Amritsar
Get your fingers sticky at this 60-year-old jalebi joint, serving up the delicious Indian dessert consisting of saffron-coloured coils of deep-fried…
Hyderabad
Highly regarded spot for South Indian vegetarian food. You may have to wait for a lunch table, but order the South Indian thali and you'll be brought heap…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Samrat has an à la carte menu but most rightly opt for the famous Gujarati thali – a cavalcade of taste and texture, sweetness and spice that includes…
Calangute & Baga
This permanent beachfront restaurant is simple in appearance but the daytime menu is bona fide fine dining – the chef also oversees Pousada Tauma's…
Karnataka
There's a choice of indoor or outdoor garden seating at this fine hotel restaurant, which does fantastic vegetarian dishes, including 13 kinds of dosa …
Delhi
This fully organic cafe, with lots of gluten-free choices, has Turkish and Blue Tokai (Delhi's best, locally roasted) coffee, as well as great salads,…
Northeast States
Hotel Sonar Tori's stylish blue-chaired restaurant is the best option for an upscale meal. It does Thai and Indian curries, tandoori preparations,…
Delhi
The quiet, friendly, Nagaland canteen is a simple room overlooking a tangle of palm trees and is worth seeking out for punchy pork offerings, with dishes…
Smoor Chocolates Signature Lounge
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
The city's finest chocolaterie has a lovely, air-conditioned and spacious interior where you can indulge in exquisite gateaux and cakes, and of course a…
Hampi
A well-run place with cushion seating (or dining tables) and an excess of psychedelic wall hangings. Serves tasty Indian, Israeli and Western classics…
New Delhi
Shaded under the wide reaches of an old banyan tree, the garden courtyard at Coffee Home is always busy with office workers lingering over chai and…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Dine alfresco on Fava’s canopy-covered decking, feasting on large plates of delectable dishes like Middle Eastern meze, minced-lamb kebabs or black-sesame…
Karnataka
Excellent South and North Indian dishes are on offer here at very fair rates; try a paneer kadai (cottage cheese cooked in thick tomato gravy). The…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Hot out of the oven, Lady Baga brings its seafood specialities, Goan delicacies and chilled-out vibe to Bengaluru. The food is divine (try the mud crab in…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
This inexpensive samosa hotspot is perfect for a quick bite on the southwestern side of the Indiranagar area. There's a wide range of trad (and twisted)…
Mysuru (Mysore)
Mysuru’s most social restaurant, with outdoor tables moodily lit by countless lanterns. There's often live traditional music, too. The menu offers…
Delhi
The name is like a typical trade-based Parsi surname, the place emulates the Iranian cafes of Mumbai, and the food is authentic Persian, including…
Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
Established in 1880 and still run by the Siddique family, this friendly place makes nothing but superdelicious, creamy, cardamon-scented kheer (rice…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
This warehouse-style bar-resto, drawing a cool urban crowd, serves cocktails in beakers and offers napkins toilet-paper style (on a roll). The menu takes…
Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
Century-old Jalebi Wala does Delhi’s – if not India’s – finest jalebis (deep-fried, syrupy dough), so eat up and worry about the calories tomorrow. It's…
Karnataka
Woodlands is regarded as the best vegetarian place in town and has an air-con dining room where you can escape the heat. Serves both South and North…
Hampi
Serves up flavoursome Indian, Chinese and Israeli food, and even the Mexican grub (try the veg enchiladas) is quite tasty. Sip a lassi (₹60) or masala…
Mysuru (Mysore)
This hole-in-the-wall takeaway samosa place is only open limited hours, but it's well worth checking out. There's always a queue, such is its popularity,…
Mumbai (Bombay)
K Rustom has nothing but a few metal freezers, but the ice-cream sandwiches here have been pleasing Mumbaikar palates since 1953. Pick from 50 flavours;…
South Delhi
Famous for its top-notch Mangalorean seafood, such as pomfret, prawns or lobster, this busy multilevel restaurant is often heaving and also has regular…
Hyderabad
Renowned for its Hyderabadi dishes, this elegant hotel restaurant serves fine biryanis, kebabs and wonderful haleem, including a veg version (₹675) of…
