Hot new restaurants to visit in 2023

The first month of the new year is under way and what better way to celebrate the first chapter than with a meal out with your friends and family? 

Excitement is in store with the opening of so many new places across India. Clearly, leisure is going to be all about that big dine-out experience as chefs toy with innovative menus, restaurants scale up the ambience, and the cool weather welcomes foodies with a flourish.

Whether it’s a fine-dine eatery, a café, gastropub, rooftop lounge or other experimental space, we’ve vetted a list of cool places on the scene. YS Life looks at these food hotspots to say bon appetit in as the year rolls on.

What's happening and where?

Mumbai  

Millo

In recent times, we’ve seen increased attention on vegetarian and vegan fare and this new two-floor restaurant-bar at Kamala Mills pays a fitting tribute to that. ‘Millo’, which stands for ‘unite’, is a creative, vegetarian space designed by Minnie Bhatt and offers cosy luxury. The shades of ocean blue and white are offset by an exquisitely quirky floor with white and grey patterns, a book corner, antique furnishings and floral paintings. 

The food is a quirky take on vegetarian recipes from all over the globe - from Mexican, Italian and European fare as well as contemporary chaats, thin-crust pizzas, and sushi. Get set for something different as you try the Pita Galouti, a grilled pita topped with a galouti kebab, melt-in-the-mouth Chilaquiles Filo Cups, and the Turkish Twist bajri vada topped with babaganoush. Enjoy that with handcrafted cocktails made with sustainable ingredients pourovers and cold brews. 

Address: Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai | Contact: 9808288288

Native Bombay

Watch out for this one – it’s a treat for indigenous food lovers! Perched on the first floor of a 150-year-old ice factory is the two-level Native Bombay that opened its doors on December 16. It’s raw, rustic appeal spans through its private dining areas and Negroni bar. The menu traverses different states and award-winning Chef Bhairav Singh brings his experience and understanding of Indian spices and traditional ingredients to the table here. 

“Native Bombay is about regional cuisine and we’ve gone to great lengths to ensure authenticity for every dish, whether it’s bringing down bhut jolokia chillies from Nagaland for a meat dish or using the darker variety of curry leaves for the Chettinad Chicken,” he says. Indian ingredients also find their way into global tipples, courtesy head mixologist Denzil Franklin.

Address: 10-12, Cochin St, Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai | Contact: 9619066000

Bizza

The Bastian folks’ new venture is grabbing attention! The aesthetic interiors resemble a sun-kissed Mediterranean vacation spot. Settle down to tuck into a range of artisanal pizzas or ‘bizzas’ here. Whether it’s the Miso Aubergine & Blue Cheese Pizza, Spicy Cauliflower Pizza, Truffle & Tuna Pizza, or the Peking Duck pizza, among others, enjoy with flavoursome in-house dips. There’s also a cool cocktail list and the desserts are totally Instagram-worthy, too. Choose from freakshakes, thickshakes with chocolate chips, raspberry cheesecake with whipped cream, raspberry gel and fresh berries, and an emoji cake with soft vanilla chiffon cake layered with a French vanilla mousse, sea salt caramel, almond brittle, and covered with a light vanilla buttercream.

Address: Ground Floor, 35th Road, Linking Road, Bandra West, Mumbai | Contact: 022-50333555

Zerua

In a concrete jungle, rooftop spaces are a breath of fresh air! And a new uber-trendy addition to Mumbai’s scene is Zerua. The 14,500 sq ft rooftop outlet by restaurateur Gaurav Choksey is a mix of sleek and laidback, highlighted by palm trees, timber and stone work. There are different seating zones perfect for sundowners, after-work drinks, pre/post-dinner drinks or casual and relaxing gatherings with friends. 

Sit inside the air-conditioned glass cabanas or on the view-drenched deck at sunset hour when the sky unfolds in golden hues as you chill with barrel-aged and zero-waste cocktails made by in-house mixologist Atul Munde. Try the Mediterranean platters, pizzas, flatbreads with dishes like dukkah-crusted fish, and gluten-free pizzas, or even the live sushi stations and woks, curated by Chef Patron Rakesh Talwar.

Address: Atria Mall Rooftop, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli | Contact: 9155715571

HOTL

Who wouldn’t want to dine against the beautiful backdrop of the 102-year-old Royal Opera House? HOTL, which retains the musical spirit of its predecessor, The Quarter, offers that and more. When designing this space, the question Nico Goghavala and his wife Kamal asked was, ‘Why couldn't we sit in a beautiful contemporary space and still enjoy a paniyaram and a cocktail while listening to jazz?’   

HOTL also has the original Neapolitan pizzas Nico has been serving at his other projects since 2012 in Mumbai. A must-have are the fresh seafood small plates that are Mediterranean and South Indian in origin and sip on cocktails and house-made sodas prepared using natural ingredients.

Savour the fare in two settings – an outdoor deck surrounded by greenery or a contemporary indoor space that (will have) has live jazz nights twice a week. There is a Sunday brunch and a soon-to-launch lunch menu will serve an eclectic mix of Ssouth Indian thalis, hand-rolled pasta, and more.

Address: The Royal Opera House, Mathew Rd, Charni Road East, Opera House, Girgaon, Mumbai | Contact: 7718871022

The Burrow

Much like its name, BKC’s newly-launched modern European Bar & Kitchen, conceptualised and founded by Chef Yashasvi Modi, makes for an escape from the city’s chaos. 

The eatery with stone walls and lovely wood elements lets you enjoy quiet time with innovative flavour pairings, Yashasvi’s forte. While there are classics, the menu also includes artisanal pasta, gourmet-styled tacos, and sliders. The mains include the signature Grilled Fish Pomme Puree consisting of red snapper fillets, herb-flavoured orange and chilli sauce, pickled chillies, and potato puree, or the Spinach and Feta Pierogis. 

The Burrow encapsulates the vibe through classic and contemporary offerings. They’re also planning to have a weekly Chef's Special Menu, soon.

Address: The Burrow, Adani Inspire, G Block BKC, Patthar Nagar, BKC, Bandra East, Mumbai | Contact: 9769752787

Jaipur

Diona

You can’t be in the Pink City without enjoying a meal with a view for your ‘gram! Check Diona – Ale Works, the hotspot in the heart of the city that promises more than a meal under a starry sky. 

Hailed as one of India's largest rooftop bar & lounges, Diona, helmed by Namokar Jain, is a lavish 36,000 sq ft space. It has beautiful architecture that transports you into Santorini with its whitewashed walls, rustic open spaces, and that quintessential blue symbolic of the Greek isle. It caters to the party frat, too with five different serving bars and an infinity pool. 

Address: The Grand Anukampa, Elevated Ajmer Rd, Exit, Jaipur | Contact: 9859261111

Delhi

Slyce Pizza

Here’s the new baby from well-known restaurateur Zorawar Kalra. Slyce Pizza, the cloud kitchen, is launching in Delhi-NCR for the first time and the menu puts a luxe spin on the good ol’ pizza. 

Tuck into the signature Truffle Tart with shaved truffles and Parmesan Reggiano, the ‘Avocado Green Out’ with hass avocados, sundried tomatoes, jalapenos, olives, parmesan and gomae sauce. Don’t miss Truffle & Gold with fresh mozzarella, sharp cheddar, truffle shavings, white truffle oil, and gold leaf. Seafood lovers can opt for the ‘The Lobster white top’ with butter poached lobster, prawns bianco, truffle oil, and gold leaf. 

Zorawar spent two years finalising the menu and it comes from his own travels around the world. As he hints at what’s in store, he says, “The simple philosophy of Slyce is to provide a gourmet, wood fired-pizza experience from the dough to the three-cheese blend.”

Address and contact: Multiple outlets at Sohna Road, Gurgaon (92055 44037), DLF Phase 3 (92055 44038), Saket (92055 44035), Rajouri Garden (92055 44034) and Noida (92055 44036)

Loya

Like a beautiful page out of history, Loya at the Taj Palace New Delhi is an indulgence of the sights, sounds, and tastes of north India. The restaurant’s grand arches with intricate motifs, stone jalis, and niches in sandy textures lend a sophistication to the fare. 

They bring to the forefront traditional cooking styles from the Dumba Kadhai and Kunni Murg to Peepay Wale Aloo, Sigdi Machchi, Kangra Khodiya Gosht, Lazeez Pasliyan, Raan-E-Jirga and Badana Pearls. Definitely an opulent treat. 

Where: Lobby level, Taj Palace, 2 Sardar Patel Marg, Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi | Contact: 011-66503588

Chica

A beautiful song for those who love greenery, Chica - nestled in the middle of Delhi is the place to be. The restaurant evokes the ambience of an enchanted European garden with its carefully chosen blooms, fountains and verdant landscaping all around. It’s expansive, around 10,000 square feet in an outdoor and indoor area. The menu includes a list of Mediterranean and Asian dishes with curated drinks to please your al fresco longing.

Address: One Golden Mile, New Delhi, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi | Contact: 9990019981

Orale Sky Bar

This restobar that opened on December 7 on the Golf Course Extension Road in Gurgaon has been attracting a mix of residential folks plus corporates. The food is multi-cuisine – Lebanese, Mediterranean, Continental, North Indian, something to please a lot of palates.

The place is designed to be indoor and outdoor plus mezzanine area for 30 people that can comfortably host a small party. Great sundowners every Sunday from 4 pm to 11.30 pm with different DJs each weekend.

Says Hemant Striker, owner, “The response has been great with a lot a of repeat folks already so that’s a good sign.” 

Address: AIPL Joy Street, Good Course Extension, Sector 66, Gurgaon | Contact: 9990383131

Pune

Tsuki

Grab some calm at this Bali-inspired rooftop restaurant in Koregaon Park, Pune. With a Japanese zen garden, earthy colours, natural light, and foliage all around, the 64-seater Tsuki is as tranquil an experience as it gets. 

Tsuki’s ingredient-driven fare is crafted by not one but three notable chefs – Seefah Ketchaiyo, who’s known for her Thai fare; Karan Bane, a deft hand at Japanese dishes; and Harsh Dixit, who can elevate Cantonese cuisine to new heights. 

From truffle dumplings with peking sauce to watching robatayaki made right in front of guests, Tsuki packs excitement. The drinks are taken just as seriously, thanks to ace mixologist who’s had a stint with one of Asia’s top 50 bars. 

Founder Dishant Pritamani, of The Daily All Day, a community-driven cocktail bar in Bandra, Bombay, and Pune, who opened this space recently, says, “The level of Asian with great interiors was not there in Pune so the opportunity was staring in our faces. I wanted Tsuki to have that island-jungle vibe…we have not had one day where it’s not been sold out.”

Address: 7, A Lane, Vasani Nagar, Koregaon Park, Pune | Contact: 9172114339

Bengaluru

Alt Pizza

Here’s another place to hit around town with pals! Singapore-based Alt -Pizza makes its way into India with its first outlet at Bengaluru. The highlight are the sourdough pizzas prepared using a 10-year-old fermentation starter. Start with Bang-Bang Burrata packed with a fusion of sesame and chilli and go on to try innovative flavours such as Prawnster with chilli garlic prawns, I’m Funghi that has three types of mushrooms, 400 Degree, made with different meats, and more.

Address: 974, 1st floor, 80ft Road, Above Nasi and Mee, Koramangala | Contact: 8123892268

Seta

Perfect to enjoy the ongoing winter season comes Seta, an alfresco dining concept by the poolside. The menu shines light on Mediterranean and Asian fare presented in the izakaya dining concept, where you come together and share food and drinks with friends and family. 

Begin with fried sesame cake with shitake mushroom and move to the yuzu kosho shrimp as well as an interesting Turkish Adana Kebab served with pita bread and eggplant, pickled feat and beetroot hummus (pls omit). Round things off with an indulgent dessert like the Fruit Charlie served with dry fruit and ice cream, and also check out the extensive bar menu.

Address: Embassy GolfLinks Business Park, Off Intermediate Ring Road, Domlur | Contact: 9364005195

Kolkata

The Bhawanipur House

Quaint colonial charm served up at this two-level property! The Bhawanipur House, housed in a beautiful heritage bungalow, is the place to be in for a leisurely time out with friends and family. It has dining rooms, a bakery, tea lounge and open-air space and closed terrace. The menu offers Continental, Oriental, Italian and fusion fare including wood-fired pizzas, delectable salad bowls and a range of teas. Find your nook, settle down and allow the Calcutta of yore to take over.

Address: 13/B, Priyanth Mallick Road, Bakul Bagan, Bhowanipore, 7000026 | Contact: 9051413136

Goa

Tkyo

Here’s a space with high-energy vibe in Anjuna, Goa. Tkyo, a pan-Asian restaurant with a bar and bakery, is housed in a restored 200-year-old Portuguese house with signature Portuguese-style verandas and patio seating. 

The indoor and al fresco dining space offers dishes like Shira-ae-Salad from Japan, Popiah Rolls from Vietnam, Tamarind Lamb from Philippines, Aa Pla from Thailand, and  Amok Trei (Fish Amok) from Cambodia. The bar menu has been designed by Asia's renowned mixologist Yangdup Lama. 

Address: House 1259, Gaum Vaddi, Anjuna | Contact: 9028356668

Lollo Rosso

Pretty as a postcard! Nestled amid the lush greenery in Anjuna’s interior areas, the four-level space overlooks a picturesque rice field as well as palm and other fruit-bearing trees. The bar jumps into the theme with its tropical jungle motif accompanied by earthy tones with Naga bamboo furnishings. 

The comprehensive menu offers both vegetarian and meatless options, with a concentration on South Asian cuisine, including Sushi and dim sums as well as bowl meals from over 15 other international cuisines. Endearingly, more than 80% of the raw materials are imported from their native origins.

Address: Lollo Rosso Goa, House 1057, Sim Vaddo (in the lane beside Baba Au Rhum), Anjuna | Contact: 8855978128

Hosa

Art meets gastronomy at this 90-restaurant in Siolim, that’s come up from the folks behind Indian Accent. It greets you with foliage, blue tones, handcrafted graphic tiles, and art from Apparao Galleries. 

Hosa pays tribute to South Indian fare, but differently, thanks to Chef Suresh DC. Try the Curry Leaf Cured Snapper, Jackfruit Ghee Roast, and even a fresh take on curd rice with Almond 65, elevated by some fun drinks.

Address: Irada Home, House No. 60/1, Near St. Anthony’s Church, Vaddy, Siolim | Contact: 7498627977

Kasa ‘N’ Koox

This modern Japanese restaurant and lounge in a sprawling address has hopped over from Chennai into sunny Goa. It embraces a sense of togetherness in an open environment. 

The accent is on a minimal design space that’s divided into three sections - a main restaurant, a space for small bites inspired by Ishigaki, Japan’s island destination, and a members-only speakeasy bar. Tuck into Black Cod Miso, Robatayaki lamb chops, fish, avocado tacos, and other interesting fare.

Address: Casa Waters, House number 588, Ozran beach, Vagator Beach | Contact: 9168601304