It’s always a good idea to break from the daily rut and tantalise your taste buds to a satisfying meal. More so, as we’re inching towards the laidback year-end holiday mood— and weekend cooking is likely to take a backseat. Lucky for you, we have you covered with a volley of fail-safe reccos on the best eating spots across Delhi, Mumbai, Goa and Bengaluru. Scroll through and bookmark this page. You may thank us later!
Mumbai
Indulge In A Holiday Menu That Spells Cheer Like None Other
If you’re looking at soaking up the cheery vibe and eating to your heart’s content without traveling too far, the Soho House could just be the right place to check-in at. The popular eatery in Juhu has launched a festive menu that features exciting specials like beetroot and caramel onion pie, kale, and bacon-stuffed Turkey roulade along with Brussel sprouts and cranberry relish. To fancy your meal up a notch, pick one from their experimental festive cocktails like Mumbai Mulled (made using house red wine, Cointreau, brandy, martini rosso, and spice), Holy Molly (Grey Goose vodka, house mulled wine, soda) and Santa’s Scotch (Dewar’s 12 YO scotch mixed with dates, cinnamon, and apple).
Where: Soho House, 16 Juhu Tara Road, Mumbai
Timings: 11 am to 12 am
Call: 02262133333
Get A Taste Of Myriad Global Cuisines Under One Roof
SoBo’s thriving cafe culture has a new spot — Demy. The all-day café’s versatile and expansive menu makes it an ideal holiday weekend haunt. Choose from classics like Aglio olio spaghetti, smoked white butter dal makhani with jeera rice or dig into edgier options like Bombay masala pizza, spicy Tuna rolls and healthy bite-sized nibbles like peri-peri lotus stem chips. Also, worth sampling from the bar menu are their signature sangrias Rosso Aperol sangria and New York Sour.
Where: Demy, Kamala Mills Compound, A Wing, Ground Floor, Trade Centre, Lower Parel, Mumbai
Timings: 12 pm to 1:30 am
Call: 07710082222
Cost: Rs 2,400 for two
Dig Into An Elevated Café Experience In The By-Lanes of Bandra
In keeping with the festive nip in the air, Café Duco has come up with a freshly minted Christmas menu by chef Urvika Kanoi. Nosh on plates like spicy Beef & 3 cheese taco, stuffed chilli taco, pulled pork quesadilla, patata bravas, and more. For mains, the “Daily Roast”, comprising of chicken thigh, french butter, capers, mushrooms and sweet potato wedge, makes for a merry meal, and so does the chipotle orange asparagus glazed with butter, pounded chilli, fresh herbs, almond flakes. The recommended tipples to try are Mistletoe mojito (made of fresh strawberry, basil, seltzer, lime), Very Merry Strawberry (blended with strawberries and cream) and Jingle ale (made using fresh strawberry, home-brewed ginger ale, lime, and mint). The strawberry shortbread hot chocolate topped with white chocolate, fresh strawberries, whip, crumble is a must-try at the in-house Hot Chocolate Lab!
Where: Cafe Duco, Shop No. 2, Kalpitam Apartments, 16th Road, Pali Village, Khar West, Near Hawaiian Shack, Mumbai 400050
Timings: 11:30 am to 11:30 pm
Call: 9137076462
Cost: Rs 2,500 for two
Go Bazaar Hopping For Xmas Shopping
Baro Market’s annual Christmas Bazaar is a one-stop-shop for all things festive with a range of unique crafty accessories that add a festive element to comfy spaces. This year’s Bazaar will see Christmas decorations in a whole new light— cutesy artefacts such as Rajasthani Theekri art, Molela terracotta and Shola art from West Bengal to Christmas puzzles and Smithsonian dolls that make for eye-catching holiday presents.
Date: December 16, 17 and 18
Where: Vintage Garden, Turner Road, Bandra West
Timings: December 17 & 18 : 11 am to 8 pm
Carols on the 18th at 5:30 pm
Treat Yourself To Seasonally-Inspired, Flavor-Laden Vegan Desserts
What’s better than a scrumptious holiday meal? A holiday dessert edit, of course! Plural in collaboration with An Ode To Gaia has curated a range of vegan holiday treats worth digging into. Must-try dishes on menu are the lemongrass & coconut entremet, a Vietnamese-inspired dessert with lemongrass-infused mousse and coconut caviar, the fig balsamic cheesecake (a tofu-based cheesecake with a buttery gluten-free biscuit crust compote of fresh figs, and citrus and balsamic notes). The fresh strawberry brownie with rum caramel is another delicious gluten-free accompaniment to mulled wine & dark chocolate entremet (red wine steeped with spices and oranges). The dessert menu will be available at Plural until December 31, 2022.
Where: Plural, Jai Hind Building, Nanik Motwani Marg, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai
Call: 09892382740
Delhi
For A Taste Of Authentic Asian Delights
Do you love taking your food to the ‘gram? Well, then it’s only fair if you check-in at Maruchi for a modern Asian culinary fare that ranks well — visually and gastronomically. Overlooking the picturesque Qutub golf course, this idyllic spot in South Delhi makes for a great brunch venue and features popular Asian delicacies – sushis, dim sums, gyozas along with a malanga of ambrosial concoctions, bottomless bellinis along with free-flowing spirits and cocktails.
Where: Sri Aurobindo Marg, Qutub Golf Course, Lado Sarai, Delhi
Timings: 12 pm to 1 am
Call: 9910425070
Cost: Rs. 3,000 for two
Order Up An Asian Meal That Feels Like A Warm Hug
It’s often said that when in doubt, always settle for Asian. The adage holds true in Nao’s case, more so with their all-new winter special delicacies — veg boat noodle soup, golden thread prawns, chicken chilli cheese wontons, pot stickers, and Burmese buddha bowl, which feel like a warm hug, and leaves a fuzzy feeling as the temperatures fall in the now-misty Capital.
Where: NAO By Berco’s, Greater Kailash 2 (GK2), New Delhi
Timings: 12 pm to 12 am
Call: 01161495394
Cost: Rs. 1,700 for two
‘Tis The Season To Relish Indian Comfort Fare
An alfresco afternoon under the sun feels like your idea of fun, head to Tickled Pink for dig into a volley of scrumptious winter specials like their signature palak patta chaat (a crispy spinach Indian Street food, made vegan and gluten-free), or the winning comfort dish — rajma chawal (red kidney beans in thick gravy with whole Indian spices served with steaming rice). A fancier alternative could be the sizzling salmon, because who doesn’t like a well-made salmon fillet on the grill with some Tzatziki sauce on the side?
Where: Tickled Pink, DLF Avenue, Saket, New Delhi
Timings: 12 pm to 1 am
Call: 7676380000
Cost: Rs. 1,400 for two
Sink Your Teeth Into A Gut-Friendly Culinary Experience
Fancy a conscious cafe, all-day dining and bakehouse rolled into one? If yes, the Fig at Malcha is the place to be. Putting real ingredients on the plate, the eatery offers guilt-free dishes that are good for your gut and palate. Pick from their cage-free eggs, pancakes, healthy comfort bowls and wipe your meal clean with a tall glass of in-house smoothies and kombucha.
Where: Malcha Marg, New Delhi
Timings: 7:30 AM – 11 PM
Call: 08447872226
Cost: Rs. 800 for two
Bengaluru
Savour Awadhi Cuisine In The ‘luru
What’s a holiday season without being a little experimental? The nip in the air in Bengaluru calls for a fun winter snack to satiate those mid-week cravings, and savouring in traditional Awadhi cuisines at Khanposh wouldn’t hurt at all. Choose from a set of interesting homestyle options like the arbi salan, crispy keema samosas and kebabs, biryani, charcoal roasted sweet potatoes (which is a burst of sweet, tangy and lip smacking flavours) or even the bhuni shakarkand chaat — a weekend special much like the shakarkand (sweet potato/genasu) kheer.
Where: 39, Ground Floor, 80 Feet Rd, opposite 12th Main Road, Hal, HAL 3rd Stage, Indiranagar
Timings: 12 am to 11 pm
Call: 99163 63647
Cost: Rs. 600 for two
Tuck Into The Authentic Flavours Of The Hills
What if we told you that your perpetual quest for truly satisfying Pahadi snacks are likely to end in the bylanes of namma ooru? Yes, you read that right. Masterchef Mahendra Thulung brings the magic of Himalayan Asian street food to Bengaluru through his newly launched restaurant, Bao Bangalore. The restaurant brings you momos, baos, comforting Asian curries and soupy noodles from Himalayan regions like Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and the like, bursting with authentic flavours that will transport you back to the hills.
Where: 472, 80 Feet Rd, Hal, HAL 3rd Stage, Stage 3, New Tippasandra, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Timings: 12 pm to 12 am
Cost: Rs. 500 for two
Tropical Vibes In The Garden City
Nestled bang in the middle of the bustling Church Street, Bengaluru’s Coco’s Bar and Kitchen bears a quaint, natural charm, and exudes a tropical, garden city vibe. For starters, savour some bestselling Indian favourites such as ghee roast chicken, Andhra chilli chicken and pandi roast among many others. The dishes are best to be had with local brews or ‘zero-alcohol’ cocktails. The menu also features interesting North Indian and European options at this cosy terrace var.
Where: Coco’s Bar and Kitchen, Church Street, Bengaluru
Timings: 12 pm to 1 am
Call: 6361997169
Cost: Rs. 1,800 for two
Goa
Discover Spanish Gems In Goa
In a bid to bring the flavours of Spain to sunny Goan shacks, the good folks at Isabella’s are rustling up Portuguese and Spanish specialities like paellas, patata bravas, and fish stews in the heart of Panjim. Echoing the vibrant yet laidback vibe of Panjim, this tapas bar makes for a great spot to sip on an alfresco glass of vermouth, paired with a choice of Isabella’s signature tapas! The complimentary tapas are a great way to settle in at this cosy tapas bar.
Where: Isabella’s Tapas Bar, Edcon Incrocio, First Floor, MG Road, Opp. Don Bosco School, Panaji, Goa
Timings: Mondays closed, 12 pm to 11 pm
Call: 9307662075
Cost: Rs. 2000 for two
Enjoy European Delicacies With A Goan Vibe
It’s that time of the year to soak up the holiday cheer with a scrumptious European and Pan Asian kitchen in the heart of Assagao, Goa. Mystras — a chic spot to indulge in a hearty, versatile and flavoursome fare such as spinach and ricotta ravioli, tofu, water chestnuts, black mushroom, and bok choy in black oyster sauce, beetroot salad and spanish mushrooms. Bestsellers on the bar menu include Vitamin Sea (a cocktail with gin, kale, spinach, orange zest, and egg whites) and Vinta Lapa drink, (a tequila-based drink made with jalapeno brine) among several others.
Where: SY. No 216/53A, Assagao, Goa
Timings: 12pm to 12am
Call: 09810611667
Cost: Rs. 2,000 for two
Try Local Flavours That Mirror Goa’s Vibrant Spirit
There’s a plush new address in Goa that everyone’s talking about. The House of Nomad, an iconic gastro pub, from Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, now boasts of a new address in Goa. Located at Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa, one of Goa’s leading luxury beach resort, this marks the brand’s debut at India’s popular sea-side destination. Simply put, this venue makes for a great spot to sit back and relax with signature cocktails like the ‘No Sleep Nomad’ or the coffee-infused Dukshiri, which are best when had with nibble-sized delicacies like rissois de camarao, chorizo poi sliders and more.
Where: House Of Nomad, Sinquerim, Candolim, Goa 403519
Timings: 11 am to 11 pm
Call: 0832 664 1101
For The Love Of Beer and Bites
If staying in your lane, and relishing some beer while at it seems more like your idea of unwinding, the Half Pint— a new craft taproom, won’t disappoint. Recommended dishes to sample from the menu include pan-fried prawns, crispy onion and garlic in prawn chilli oil, roasted beetroot, caramelised onion, and blue cheese tarts, glazed chicken, smoked aubergine, red peppers, and confit tomatoes with tamarind wheat ale, kokum sherbet, amber ale and the like.
Where: Half Pint, , House no. 639, Little Vagator, Vagator, Goa
Timings: Open from Mondays to Wednesdays, 5 pm to 1 am;
Call: 8837248273
Cost: Rs. 1,200 for two with beer
