PLACES TO EAT
1. Olive Bar & Kitchen
Located in the rustic yet swanky One Style Mile, Olive Bar & Kitchen is one of the prettiest restaurants in town, with a lovely, airy courtyard and the Qutb Minar providing a stunning backdrop. The food here, mainly Mediterranean, Indian and Italian, is delicious too.
2. SodaBottleOpenerWala
Straight out of Bombay but with a strong Iranian influence, this restaurant specializes in the food of the Parsi community. As well as dhansak, there are more adventurous dishes such as sweet-and-sour brinjal patio or the berry pulao, made famous by Bombay’s Britannia restaurant. Baked goodies include ginger biscuit and mawa cake.
3. Chor Bizarre
This place specializes in excellent Kashmiri dishes rarely found elsewhere, such as goshtaba (slow-cooked mutton in yoghurt and cardamon) and a wonderful Kashmiri version of dum aloo. The decor is delightfully eccentric.
Diners lunching at the whimsically decorated Chor Bizarre
4. Indian Accent
A superb modern Indian fusion restaurant (see Indian Accent), where the dishes run from paneer tikka quesadillas and tofu coriander vadas to tandoori bacon prawns. It can be difficult to make a decision with the range of innovative local dishes on offer so it’s worth checking out the excellent vegetarian and non-vegetarian tasting menus on offer.
Indian Accent fusion cuisine
5. Saravana Bhavan
An excellent and inexpensive south Indian vegetarian restaurant (see Saravana Bhavan), where diners can feast on idli sambar, masala dosa and many other south Indian specialities, or tuck into a tasty vegetarian thali. If that is too filling, visitors can go for the mini tiffin, which offers a small taste of everything on the menu.
6. Spice Route
This elegant hotel restaurant offers guests a special dining experience. The cuisine is from southeast Asia and the Indian state of Kerala – it is fiery, and the emphasis is on fish and seafood. A tasting menu is available in the evenings.
7. Wasabi By Morimoto
Dark wood sets the tone for this top-class Japanese restaurant. After a drink at the exclusive sake bar, sample some steamed oysters followed by tenderloin teppenyaki. Round the meal off with a pungent, yet surprisingly cooling, serving of wasabi sorbet.
8. Bukhara
With a guest list that includes former US President Bill Clinton, Bukhara offers a rich menu that includes the city’s best-loved dishes. The buttery dal bukhara (lentils) is legendary, as is the succulent, melt-in-the-mouth lamb dish and the Sikandari raan.
Table setting at Bukhara
9. The China Kitchen
A far cry from the usual Indian-influenced Chinese fare served up in the city, the food in The China Kitchen is modern and experimental yet still deeply rooted in traditional, primarily Szechuan, flavours. Diners swear the Peking Duck is the best in Delhi.
10. Karim’s
Boasting a line of chefs that, apparently, used to prepare meals for Mughal emperors, Karim’s is arguably the city’s most famous restaurant. Try the excellent mutton korma and seekh kebabs.
TOP 10 BARS AND NIGHTCLUBS
1. PCO
A “speakeasy” boasting retro decor, a well-stocked bar and exotic cocktails. Requires a secret code – periodically changed – for entry.
2. Kitty Su
Colourful nightclub off Connaught Place with a vibrant atmosphere and regular concerts and events.
3. 1911
A quiet, elegant Art Deco place, 1911 is steeped in old-world charm.
4. Rick’s
Sample the many wines and cocktails at this urban lounge bar.
5. Social
Offering all-day breakfast and signature drinks such as the Aacharoska (caipiroska with Indian lime pickle), this café-bar is a must visit.
6. Monkey Bar
Fun and quirky, this Indian-inspired gastropub serves up innovative dishes and cocktails.
7. Fio Cookhouse & Bar
Great thin-crust pizzas and potent cocktails with a twist are available here.
8. G-Bar
The Grand, Nelson Mandela Marg • 2677 1234 • Open 6pm–3am daily
This bar attracts a young crowd with its lively music and upbeat atmosphere.
9. Cirrus 9
The Oberoi Hotel’s rooftop bar (see Cirrus 9) offers guests well-curated music, a wide selection of cocktails and magnificent views.
10. Aqua
An elegant spot for drinks, Aqua has an iridescent pool, curtained pavilions and designer bar.
The elegant, alfresco Aqua
