October marks the beginning of  the festive season, when the country comes alive with night markets, exclusive parties and tons of new openings and menus. Cities like Mumbai, Pune, Goa and Delhi are bustling with a host of options that include ingenious cocktail programmes, great offers, and cool menus designed to cater to diverse palates. Take a look at our curated guide for the weekend and the week to come, because we have separated the wheat from the chaff for you.  

If You Are In Mumbai 

Savour Forgotten Indian Recipes With A Modern Twist 

Chef Ankur Chakraborty, co-founder of The Crossing Dubai is arriving at Saffron by JW Marriott Juhu for a pop-up that will showcase traditional Indian food in a new light. With dishes from all corners of the country, this menu promises to be a treat and we’re excited to sink our teeth into their Kalimpong dumplings, gunpowder prawns and gucchi pulav from Kashmir, particularly.   

Where: Saffron by JW Marriott, Juhu Tara Road 
When: 8th and 9th October 2022 
Contact: +912266933344  

Enjoy A Slice Of Europe  

Chef Ralph Prazeres of Padaria Prazeres from Goa is teaming up with chef Rahul Gomes Pereira from SAZ Café for a pop-up menu that doubles up as an ode to European food. Expect familiar and new dishes like the Goan chouriço Berliner, brown butter poached prawn roll, pastéis de nata, dark chocolate Berliners, iced matcha latte and more.  

Where: SAZ Café, Lower Parel 
When: 4th to 6th October 2022, 9 am to 6 pm  
Contact: +91 99200 56688 

It’s A Taco Takeover  

Binge by Bastian is celebrating World Taco Day in the best way possible. Six chefs, including chef Darius Madon (Binge), Arun D’Souza (Perch), Gresham Fernandes (Salt Water Cafe), Seefah Ketchaiyo and Karan Bane (Seefah Restaurant) and Urvika Kanoi (Cafe Duco), are coming together to create an exclusive menu to commemorate the special day. The one-day dinner will feature specially crafted tacos such as sweet potato, feta, guac and pinto beans, butter garlic shrimp and chipotle, and laab gai and spicy pomelo, among others.  

Where: Sant Kutir Apartments, Khar West 
When: October 7
Contact: +91 022 5033 3555 
Cost: Ticketed event, priced at ₹1000 per guest 

Give Your Evening A Vintage Twist 

If a vintage spiral staircase, regal chandeliers and wooden floors help set the mood for you, visit Eve, Mumbai’s newest opening. The farm-to-fork menu includes delicacies like a brick-pressed chicken with fresco pepper sauce, herbed potato mash and garlic juice, pink peppercorn-infused chicken tikka, mock meat kheema pao, citrus fish and chips, and wild mushroom risotto. Book a seat for a cute brunch with your besties or a relaxing lunch with the fam. 

Where: Hiranandani Gardens, Powai 
Timing: 12 noon to 1:30 am  
Contact: +919819114000 
Cost: ₹2,500 for two people 

If You Are In Pune  

A Vegan Brunch In A Japanese Setting? Why Not 

Tucked away in Koregaon Park, Bai Mu Dan will instantly put you at ease, thanks to its wabi-sabi interiors and calming ambience.  Perfect for a breakfast meeting or a weekend brekkie date, the menu here is entirely vegetarian with a couple of vegan options. Don’t miss their flaky croissant, cruffin and other delectables from the viennoiserie. Pair it with their artisanal teas and aromatic single estate coffees to complete the meal.  

Where: Sunderbans, Koregaon Park 
Timing: 8 am to 9:30 pm  
Contact: +919004679501 
Cost: ₹700 for two people 

If You Are In Goa 

A Dinner By The Arabian Sea 

Coast 2 Coast by Taj Resort and Convention Centre is a new restaurant in the summer state. The menu, which is seafood focused, draws from flavours and culinary traditions prevalent across the Western, Eastern, and Local coasts. Don’t miss their chatka king crab legs featuring Russian king crabs, whole baked snapper, panko prawns, tuna tataki served on a pink salt slab, and local dishes like Goan crab cakes and pork vindaloo.  

Where: Vainguinim Beach, Dona Paula, Panaji 
Timing: 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm 
Contact: +91 832 665 9234 
Cost: ₹2,500 for two people 

Keep It Sweet In The Summer State 

A pandemic baby, Project Baked is a coffee and dessert bar opened by brothers Ajinkya and Vikram Gandhe. Their fresh and locally sourced menu boasts of signature items like blueberry cheesecake (made with homemade cheese), rose pistachio cake, brownies, and brookies served alongside speciality coffee and manual brews. Drop by to satisfy your sweet tooth.  

Where: Gumal Vaddo, Anjuna 
Timing: 10 am to 11:30 pm 
Contact: +917972261633 
Cost: ₹500 for two people  

If You Are In Bengaluru 

Celebrate Durga Puja With A Luxe Dinner 

JW Marriot, Bengaluru is bringing the flavours of Kolkata to the city with an exciting menu on the occasion of Durga Puja, which starts on October 2 this year. From live stations featuring street staples such as dimer chop, mochar chop, aloor chop and  jhal muri, to classic mains including daab chingri, shorshe maach, and paturi, this menu promises to be a baller.  

Where: Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar 
When: October 1 to October 5 (7:30 pm to 11:00 pm) 
Contact: +918884494037 
Cost: ₹2550+ per person 

Grab A Hot Bowl Of Ramen

Naru Noodles has a new address — the 270 sqft kiosk of sorts offers a variety of ramen bowls that you can slurp on. From traditional ramen like shoyu ramen, spicy tori paitan, and tonkotsu to experimental ones with Indian flavours such as naati koli, this spot is all any Bengaluru foodie can talk about and we think with good reason.  

Where: Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Shanti Nagar 
When: Reservations required: Wednesday-Sunday
Contact: +919886791733 
Cost: ₹1000 for two people

If You Are In Delhi 

Amp Up Your Navratri With This Menu 

Feast on Navratri snacks from Bhawan this season with a festive menu featuring sabudana khichdi, kuttu poori aloo, khoya paneer makhana, arbi tuk and The Big Bhawan Navratri Thali, which includes falahari koshimbir salad, shakarkandi aur ananas chaat, vratwale rasa aloo, beet carrot raita, kuttu pooris and alphonso mango aamras. Sounds like a treat, right? 

Where: Sector 15, Gurugram, Haryana 
When: 12:30 pm to 11 pm 
Contact: +918178539537 
Cost: ₹1500 for two people 

Celebrate Oktoberfest  

Celebrate Oktoberfest with a new beer from Fox In The Field, a microbrewery that has introduced the infamous European beer, Doppelbock. Originally made by monks in Munich, their version is a blend brimming with toasty, bready, and sweet notes, with a complex malt flavour that ends with a dry, warming finish. Pair it with your favourite snacks and enjoy! 

Where: Fox in the field, Whitefield 
When: 12 noon to 1 am 
Contact: +91 8904353612  
Cost: ₹245