A potpourri of cultures and aromas, Delhi has something for every palate. If searching for exotic dishes such as sushi, khowsuey, traditional South Indian thalis and more, here are some awesome places to enjoy lunches and dinners with family and friends or even on your own.
Sakura, The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa
This award-winning restaurant is suited for those who want to enjoy sake and sushi for lunch or dinner. A cosy, muted décor, the Rainbow Sushi is delectable here. The ingredients come all the way from Japan. And if you want something more than Japanese fare, then there is an Asian menu too. This offers some amazing dishes such as Ice Fish Jelly with Shiso Leaves and Barbequed Eel, Som Tam Salad, Salmon Ceviche with rice crackers and more. Do try the Sakura brand of ice creams, out of which the green tea flavour is a must-try. If in a hurry, you can carry Bento Box meals with you.
Burma Burma
As the name suggests, this restaurant offers some delicious Burmese dishes. Started by Ankit Gupta and Chirag Chajjer, here you find a mean Samuza Hincho — samosa served with a spicy broth, Burmese Naan with a side of creamy white pea, Mandalay Laphet Thoke which is a tea leaf salad, steamed buns or Paukse and sticky grilled rice or Kowni Ghin. However, the must-try is Burma Burma Oh No Khowsuey. This signature bowl meal comprises coconut milk stirred with lemongrass, tamarind, and diced Asian vegetables. Signature dessert is the yummy Durian Ice Cream. Durian, the forbidden Asian fruit, is churned into hand-made ice cream and is only available here. Burma Burma is known as a tea house. So, herbal infusions on the table make for a wonderful end to a delicious meal. Try the signature white tea infused with orange. You can take back some lovely kettles and tea cannisters.
OKO, The LaLit
In search of exotic sea food? Take the elevator to the 28th floor of this five-star hotel. The window seat at OKO is where you get a glimpse of Delhi’s amazing heritage structures such as Humayun’s Tomb and more. OKO offers cuisines from Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, China, and Korea. A must-try is the hot Gaeng Phed Phak-traditional red curry with bamboo shoot, pea, aubergine, sweet basil, and vegetables. It tastes good with Khao Hom Mall or jasmine steamed rice. Not to miss: Thai dessert Tub Tim Grob — tender coconut cream with water chestnuts, topped with crushed ice. It comes in a real coconut cup. The panorama is the high point and the light food a good way to appease your hunger pangs in arty surroundings. The restaurant has an all-inclusive workforce of women and transgender persons. There are live sushi, teppanyaki, robata counters, and a crafted list of sushi and wine pairings under ‘Sushiri’.
SodaBottleOpenerWala
A Parsi menu, along with an interesting décor, is what makes this a must-visit restaurant. Famous for its Bawa Breakfast, Cheesy Pav Bhaji, Berry Pulao, Bun Maska Pav and Irani Chai, this has a new country head chef and a new menu. Chef Irfan Pabaney has added some snacky options, bringing more Parsi Irani and Bombay street food to the table. To name some, Meatless Baida Roti, Chilli Cheese Pav, Mutton Pepper Fry, Egg Wrapped Kheema Pulao. Bar snacks include Kundapuri Prawn, Staff Pickle Achari Murg, Methi Fish Tikki, Green Tikki. Bombay Raasta Sandwich and the Classic Egg Sandwich have come back into the menu. Dhansak, Salli Chicken, Chicken Farcha and the Bhendi Bazaar Sheekh Paratha are still the popular dishes here. Now, there’s a new cocktail menu too.
Padmanabham
Inspired by the architecture from temples of Lord Padmanabhaswamy and Goddess Meenakshi, this place transports you to the southern states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. Bold colours, Chettinad pillars, kalamkari and mandala art adorn the interiors of this new restaurant in town. Chef Bakshish Dean has ensured that the variety on the menu is large enough to please everyone. You might like to try Idiappam-Kadala Curry or steamed rice noodles with a flavourful spicy black gram curry, Ulli Vadai — round, sliced onion crispy fritters with coconut chutney. For those in a hurry, tiffin or traditional bites of Ghee Podi idli, Milagai Bhajji, Kalan Paniyaram, Rasa Vadai and more, will satiate their hunger pangs. But the high point is the pocket-friendly Bhojanam or thali served on a banana leaf. Priced at Rs 299 plus taxes, this has unlimited servings. Wrap up the meal with Pineapple Halwa.
