We found you new restaurants to try in India!

Meals become an experience: Bookmark these 11 restaurants in Mumbai, Pune, Udaipur and more

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A good meal shared in good company across a familiar table, wrapped in the slow hum of conversation and laughter — dining out is no longer just about what’s on the menu. It’s about how a space engulfs you and how it makes you feel. Somewhere between the curated charm of concept bistros and the mood-lit, indulgent diners saved for birthdays, small wins, or just Tuesday nights that feel like Friday, dining out has taken on a new rhythm — part ritual, part escape. ELLE DECOR India rounds up an exciting list of 11 new restaurants in India for your weekend rituals, where dining feels nothing short of a well-staged performance.

Amaru, Photography by Kutbuddin Patrawala

Amaru, Mumbai

Introducing true Nikkei cuisine to Mumbai, Amaru brings together fine techniques in Japanese cuisine and the rich culinary traditions of Peru. Founded by Srikar Shetty and Jeenanath Shetty of DJRS Hospitality and Imran Majid, with Chef Nicolas Mandeuno leading the kitchen, the menu moves from fresh ceviches and tiraditos to hearty mains like Seco de Cordero. The restaurant is set in a warm, back-lit, bamboo-accented space reflecting Japan’s symbolic use of bamboo for purity and strength, while also tapping into Peru’s deep-rooted connection to sustainability.

Milagro by Francesca Smith and Colby Murray, Photography courtesy Milagro

Milagro, Mumbai

At Milagro, both the menu and ambience lean into European and Spanish influences, offering a refined dining experience set against a gilded backdrop of vintage luxury. Designed by the founder Francesca Smith herself, her meticulous attention to detail shines through every hand-picked vintage chair and custom gold-leaf arch, creating a perfect experience of European heritage. The dining experience is elevated further by the elaborate Cocktail Room, designed by Colby Murray, which offers an exquisite escape into the sophistication of 1940s New York jazz bars. Founded by Francesca Smith and Romeo, alongside co-founders Suved Lohia and Deepesh Sharma in 2025, Milagro is a must-visit for those who wish to experience the epitome of luxury.

Penthouse by Studio Gulaab, Photography by Janvi Thakkar (Wabi-Sabi Studio)

Penthouse, Lucknow

Serving Pan-Asian, continental and Awadhi cuisine, Penthouse in Lucknow is a botanical daydream that comes with a table for you! Envisioned by designer Akshita Ladhani of Studio Gulaab, the design language of the restaurant and bar mimics an old Parisian apothecary in every sense. Dusty mint walls climb up to a glass ceiling that floods the space with natural light. Arched alcoves boast vintage blue-glass bottles, rare trinkets and golden oddities. Chairs wearing floral patterns and the rich mural unfurl across the back wall, inviting you into what feels like Wes Anderson’s whimsical take on a Victorian tea room!

Zoi by Minnie Bhatt Design, Photography by Prashant Bhat

Zoi, Ranchi

Once a bowling alley, now a light-soaked sanctuary serving continental food and drinks! Zoi is the product of a striking transformation by Minnie Bhatt Design. The design draws from biophilic principles, flooding with natural light through a fully glazed facade. A standout bar, terrazzo floors split by brass inlays and cosy niches with botanical flourishes make the space feel fluid and familiar. Curves and arches soften the otherwise linear layout, with floating partitions, sculptural cane art and layered lighting tying everything together.

Ninkasi by Studio Rust, Styling by Aditya Raj, Photography by Raghav Mendiratta and Amar Balaji

Ninkasi, Udaipur

Named after the Sumerian goddess of beer, this tapas bar is a celebratory deep dive into Rajasthani heritage and Sumerian mythology. Principal architects Sourish Rao and Nupur Sahay of Studio Rust set a bold narrative exhibited through earthy palettes, exposed beams and bursts of Rajasthani folk art.

Cane chairs, brass wainscoting and gilded jharokhas channel the grandeur of a royal mahal, while vintage curiosities like an antique Kaunitz desk and quilted fabric ceiling add a touch of Victorian whimsy. As the day gives way to evening, Ninkasi becomes less of a restaurant and more of a maximalist museum of myth and tradition.

Goh Jia Ting, Photograph courtesy Goh Jia Ting

Goh Jia Ting, Mumbai

Located in Bandra, Goh Jia Ting is Mumbai’s new culinary gem serving Pan-Asian cuisine. Named after legendary Malaysian chef Ricky Goh, the space is led by founder Krishna Tamang and director Ankit Tamang, who worked closely with artisans to craft its refined, sophisticated ambience.

The space spells luxury, steeped in cultural nuances enriched by cane and wicker textures, woven screens and cascading greenery. A canopy of handwoven baskets forms a cocoon-like embrace, while playful koi motifs glide across the ceiling, bringing together a carefully crafted immersive experience.

Lucifer’s Lair by Atelier Astil, Photography by Akshay P Rao

Lucifer’s Lair, Bengaluru

Popularly known as Minx, the restobar also carries the more witty alias Lucifer’s Lair. A fitting moniker, the space immerses guests in the compelling thrill of an imagined underworld. For Arpita Sharma, founder and principal architect of Atelier Astil, the design draws from the duality of heaven and hell, where temptation meets tranquillity in equal measure.

Bold and immersive, Lucifer’s Lair plays with the exciting tension between fire and water. Dark, rippling marble conjures images of a still moonlit lake, while sculptural metallics and glowing furniture flicker like flames in a hidden cavern, inviting patrons into a world that blurs the realms between adventure and reality.

 

La Saante by Outhaus Collective, Photography by Niveditaa Gupta and The Space Tracing Company

La Saante, Vadodara

Embracing the spirit of European cycling culture, the cafe weaves this theme into its design and experience with a wholesome menu for early-morning cyclists and families alike. Warm interiors framed by brick arches and soaring double-height volumes form the core of Outhaus Collective’s design for La Saante.

Conceived by Darshali Golani, Dweeta Dawda and Parnavi Mendon, the cafe’s heart lies in the delicate use of terrazzo to craft abstract bike-inspired motifs, decorated with Jaisalmer and Agra stone inlay. Repurposed cycle parts find new life as lighting pieces, while bold geometric furniture elevates the space with a contemporary edge.

Era by Bear spaces & co, Photography by Janvi Thakkar (Wabi-Sabi Studio)

Era, Mumbai

A Pan-Asian restaurant, Era embodies dramatic interiors from a bygone era filled with good-old whimsical charm. Pria and Disha, principal designers at Bear spaces & co, embrace the opulent language of Art Deco for the restaurant. Textured walls, scalloped mouldings and tango tile accents come together to create a space both nostalgic and new. A small stage with a classic piano fills the room with live music, making the dining experience all the more immersive.

Pluvian Cafe by THINK, Photography by Abhishek Chavhan (Architectural Captures), Styling by The Soul Concept

Pluvian Cafe, Pune

Designed by Dhwani Mehta and Harshal Mutha of THINK, the quaint cafe takes its name from the founders’ love for rain — pluviophiles, as they call themselves. Echoing the rhythm of Pune’s monsoon showers and soaked soil, the cafe pairs earthy materials like Kota stone and terracotta tiles with lush hanging planters and cane-laced woodwork. Tapping into a biophilic design ethos, the designers at THINK have crafted a space where the continental menu and fresh bakes by the café are best enjoyed amidst natural textures and lush greens. A full-length glass partition lets you savour the outdoors come rain or sunshine.

Donna Cucina, Photography by Darren Lopez

Donna Cucina, Pune

Pune’s celebrated Italian restaurant has opened a second outlet, now tucked inside a beautiful pistachio-green bungalow in Kalyani Nagar. Arched doorways, rich wooden beams and the amber glow of vintage chandeliers lend the space an intimate and lived-in charm.

But what makes Donna Cucina truly special is the way it is deeply personalised. The walls carry a loving array of black and white photographs — and with them, the soul of the diner — reflecting founder Arshita Singhvi’s love for Italy and all it stands for. Elsewhere, a tribute to Italy’s culinary roots features imagery of Naples’ oldest pizzeria, bustling markets and the incredible Anthony Bourdain, whose spirit of culinary adventure echoes the passion behind every dish at Donna Cucina.

Read more: Culinary haute spots that serve delicious design! Here are 13 must-visit restaurants in India 

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