The coolest restaurants across India that deserve to be on your foodie radar

There are restaurants you visit once, and then there are the ones you return to—when you’re celebrating, meeting friends, or simply want a night out that doesn’t require overthinking. They strike the perfect balance between good food, solid drinks, and an atmosphere that carries the experience without trying too hard. From polished dining rooms to high-energy hangouts, these food hotspots across India have proven they can deliver every single time. Bookmark them now—you’ll thank yourself later.

Royal China, Mumbai

A long-standing favourite for Cantonese cuisine, Royal China continues to set the benchmark for Chinese dining in Mumbai. The menu is extensive yet precise, with consistently excellent dim sum and mouthwatering dishes like spicy prawn cheung fun, salt-and-pepper lobster, soft corn curd, and crab fried rice. Add elegant interiors and attentive service, and it’s easy to see why this remains a go-to for celebrations and special evenings.

Miss Margarita by Arriba, Delhi

Delhi NCR’s most-loved Mexican spot leans into bold flavours and festive energy, especially through its seasonal menus. Known as India’s largest tequila bar, Miss Margarita balances comfort and indulgence with dishes like chimichangas, quesadillas, slow-cooked meats, and smoky tacos, paired with playful, spirit-forward cocktails. With warm lighting, colourful interiors, and an unmistakable vibe, it’s a place built for long, lively evenings—and one you’ll keep coming back to.

Ishaara, Mumbai

Ishaara offers more than just a meal—it delivers a dining experience shaped by warmth, inclusivity, and thoughtful hospitality. The menu spans vegetarian and non-vegetarian favourites, from Kochi Kalamari to Awadhi Raan, with generous portions and carefully balanced flavours. As the lights soften through the evening, the space settles into a calm, inviting rhythm that encourages you to slow down and stay longer.

Common Time, Delhi

Designed for relaxed moments and quiet conversations, Common Time blends café culture with a seasonal, lifestyle-driven approach. Its winter menus bring comforting drinks, desserts that satisfy your sweet tooth, and well-crafted savoury plates, while the neutral, uncluttered interiors create a sense of ease. It’s a space that doesn’t rush you—ideal for slow mornings, unhurried afternoons, and repeat visits.

Subko LoCol, Delhi

Subko’s Lodhi Colony flagship brings together speciality coffee, craft baking, and fine cacao under one roof. LoCol reflects the neighbourhood’s creative spirit, offering everything from brews and inventive filter coffee to pod-to-bar chocolates and retail offerings. With distinct zones for grab-and-go, gifting, and lingering, it’s a thoughtfully designed space that celebrates Indian sourcing and craftsmanship.

Elephant & Co., Pune

This new Pune outpost combines modern, green-filled interiors with a relaxed, boho energy that instantly puts you at ease. The menu is wide-ranging and crowd-friendly, from dim sum and bao to pizzas and comforting Indian plates, while live music and attentive service keep the mood upbeat. Pet-friendly and social by design, it’s the kind of place where plans naturally stretch longer than expected.

Jamming Goat 3.0, Bengaluru

Jamming Goat 3.0 is built for all-day drinking and late-night dining, with a lively atmosphere that never feels overdone. The menu mixes familiar comfort with creative touches, from jhol momos and cheesy baozi to classic mains and playful desserts like thandai tres leches. Add energetic music and prompt service, and it’s easy to see why it works so well for casual nights out.

Copitas, Bengaluru

Located at the Four Seasons, Copitas is a cocktail destination that prioritises craft over excess. The bar’s menu focuses on clean flavours and thoughtful twists, like a coffee-infused Negroni, alongside expertly made gin and tonics. With skyline views, luxurious interiors, and impeccable hospitality, it’s just the right spot for those who take their drinks seriously.

Maverick & Farmer, Goa

Known for doing things differently, Maverick & Farmer approaches coffee with a rule-breaking mindset. From growing their own beans to experimenting with brewing styles, the café delivers drinks that feel both intentional and indulgent. Paired with standout bakes like their chocolate streusel and seasonal specials, it’s a calm, quietly confident space meant for people who feed their Instagram stories before themselves.

The Penang Table, Mumbai

The Penang Table introduces Mumbai to the depth and diversity of Malaysian cuisine. The menu highlights bold, layered flavours through dishes like Assam laksa and coconut-based salads, while desserts offer a polished finish. It’s a thoughtful, flavour-led experience that brings a lesser-seen Asian cuisine into the spotlight—and does it right.

Babylon Brewery & Club 2.0, Hyderabad

Sprawling and immersive, Babylon 2.0 is designed as an all-encompassing nightlife destination. With multiple zones dedicated to dining, drinking, and entertainment, it’s built for large groups and high-energy evenings. Sharing platters, craft beer, and a strong entertainment lineup make it a reliable choice for any celebration—it’s a cult favourite, and rightfully so.

Drop Dead Sexy, Goa

Assagao’s newest cocktail bar makes a strong impression with its art-forward design and after-dark energy. The interiors are moody and immersive, while the seasonal cocktail menu leans playful and experimental. Asian-inspired small plates keep things social, and music that evolves through the night ties the experience together. It’s intimate, edgy, and designed for lingering well past the first round.

Meen by Chef Pillai, Kochi

Set in the heart of Kochi, Meen celebrates Kerala’s coastal flavours through a menu focused on fresh seafood and regional techniques. Signature dishes like Fish Nirvana sit alongside perfectly made appams and porottas, supported by fresh plates with signature twists and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s a restaurant that balances tradition with accessibility, making it a reliable stop for both locals and visitors.

Passhh, Mumbai

Set inside a serene bungalow, Passhh champions slow living and conscious dining. The vegetarian menu focuses on seasonal produce and thoughtful flavour combinations, reflecting the kitchen’s close connection with farmers. With calming interiors, green surroundings, and dishes like dal pakwan nachos and a date-sweetened sea salt caramel latte, it’s a space that invites you to pause and savour the moment.

Soraia, Mumbai

Set within Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Soraia combines indoor and alfresco dining in a space that seamlessly pairs a European garden aesthetic with understated Indian influences. Heaps of natural light, greenery, and open seating keep the mood relaxed and inviting. In the kitchen, Chef Hitesh Shanbhag’s Neo-Botanical approach shapes a modern Indian-European menu that puts seasonal produce and clean flavours front and centre. Dishes like the Vine and Burrata and the sweet potato tuk are balanced and comforting, making Soraia a solid choice for leisurely lunches and laid-back dinners, it's one of those spots that's sure to impress even the most discerning critic. 

Lead image credit: Pexels 

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