While staying at a hotel for business or leisure, food and drinks become an almost intrinsic part of your experience. It’s something to look forward to, after a day of meetings or even post indulging in some of the hotel’s leisure facilities like the spa or the pool. Understanding this, we’ve handpicked a collection of restaurants at hotels across India, as we highlight some of their signature dishes for you to bookmark.
DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji
Helmed by Executive Chef Ananth Shanmugasundaram, DoubleTree by Hilton Goa-Panaji’s culinary offerings are spread across Comida, its all-day dining restaurant serving a multitude of cuisines, Comida Bar for exclusive cocktails, Rio Salao for coffee and Feliz — its Coastal, Goan and Mangalorean restaurant. Inspired by the Goan way of life, Feliz offers a calm and sophisticated ambience with an al fresco dining area that overlooks the swimming pool and the Mandovi River. The restaurant’s menu features sustainable seafood and exotic vegetables prepared over an open-flame charcoal grill for added flavour. Some of the dishes you could try here include a prawns ghee roast, a Mangalorean dish that is the signature item at Feliz. The kick of chilli peppers and the tang of tamarind make this a delicious side dish with neer dosa, appam or steamed rice. You must also try the shrimps stuffed pomfret (barede eretha meen) that combines local spices to create an amalgamation of flavours and fish that melts in your mouth. At night, Feliz turns into a trendy bar with fun cocktails and a terrace-like setting. hilton.com
Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel and Residences
For Italian home-style culinary dining with a modern approach, head to Celini located in the lobby of Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel and Residences. The restaurant prides itself on traditional Italian recipes that are presented through a contemporary lens. Some of the highlights at Celini include wood-fired pizza oven; rotisserie; Australian lamb chops with cranberries jus, buttered polenta cake; molitini charcoal grilled chicken with herbs, caramelised onions and olive tapenade mash; pan-seared chicken scaloppini with root vegetables and lemon caper sauce; diavola, with tomato, mozzarella cheese, spicy salami and Kalamata olives; and wild mushroom and aged parmesan risotto. For something sweet, Celini’s tiramisu is known to be an ‘all-time favourite’. The restaurant, with an exhaustive list of delectable wine and multiple seating options like table booths and a private dining area, is ideal for a fine Italian dinner. Some of the other outlets at the hotel include China House for classic Chinese cuisine and classy drinks and Soma for authentic Indian dishes from the north west province. hyatt.com
Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru
One of Bengaluru’s finest addresses, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru boasts an impressive culinary scene, showcased across its popular venues including Far & East, CUR8 and Copitas. A must-have at their Asian brasserie, Far & East is Singapore style fried rice noodles which is a medley of rice noodles, chilli powder, curry powder and vegetables. Non-vegetarians get the option to add prawns, egg or chicken. The dish highlights Chef Leong’s Singaporean heritage and is inspired by the Hawker’s Centre noodle that is popular amidst local Singaporeans and visitors. Calling out to all bread lovers to try out the tiger bread at CUR8. This multigrain striated bread is served complimentary at the table with a chunky tomato salsa; and is crusty with a pillowy soft texture inside. The name is attributed to the striations that the bread has when fully baked; and is inspired by Karnataka’s tiger reserves. Head to Copitas, and enjoy the Ibiza cocktail which has notes of betel leaf, homemade saffron, honey water and lemon blend in with tequila. fourseasons.com
Hyatt Regency Delhi
With a legacy of more than 38 years, Hyatt Regency Delhi’s F&B is quite appealing. The hotel is packed with speciality restaurants, all-day dining, a colonial bar and a bakery. One of its restaurants we recommend you bookmark is La Piazza, the Italian restaurant. With its open wood-fired oven concept, the outlet serves some of the most unique pizzas and pastas in the city. One must try the signature la piazza pizza prepared with semolina flour, pizza sauce, roast garlic, fresh goat cheese, mozzarella cheese added with a pinch of oregano dry, extra virgin olive oil, sun-dried tomato and basil pesto.
Signature tiramisu is a winner here, with fresh mascarpone, egg yolks, sugar, amaretto, ladyfinger biscuit (Savoiardi), strong coffee without sugar and cacao powder. We also recommend you visit TK’S Oriental Grill, a teppanyaki grill, and order special minced chicken salad here. The China Kitchen, a contemporary Chinese restaurant that brings a unique concept of “dining in the kitchen” to the capital is located at the poolside, and comprises four distinctive components: an open kitchen, five private dining rooms, the wine wall and tea bar, and the dining area. Order its warm mushroom salad that is made with fresh cepe (wild mushrooms), shiitake, button and shimji mushroom topped with fried and spring onion, truffle oil and soy sauce. hyatt.com
ITC Royal Bengal
This ITC property, through its expansive F&B, rightly captures Kolkata’s identity as a foodie’s paradise. From Grand Market Pavilion, which is reminiscent of Kolkata’s historical market to Darjeeling Lounge that is a reminder of the city’s tea culture, and The Brass Room, highlighting the city’s fondness for music and good life, the hotel creates an enchanting dining experience in the ‘city of joy’. Inspired by the New Market of Kolkata, the buffet restaurant, Grand Market Pavilion serves an array of Indian delights. One of the specialities here is the cuisine from eight north eastern states. Dishes from the north east Indian repertoire include shyaphalay, minced country chicken encased in a crispy shell served with raja mircha chutney; Sikkimese kauri, Sikkimese style handmade sea shells in a flavourful broth served along with condiments; cheu koh sabji, stir fried mushrooms with onion, tomato and chilli and masoor belahi tenga, Assamese style sour fish curry. Another interesting culinary experience that you can explore is Sheherwali Khasa, a special indigenous tasting menu at Royal Vega which offers delicacies from the royal vegetarian kitchens of the Sheherwali, the erstwhile Jain nobility from the Havelis of Murshidabad. At Darjeeling Lounge, unwind with the signature stock market chai named after the tea served outside the city’s stock market. itchotels.com
JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar
Head to JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar’s JW Café, an all-day dining restaurant for a mélange of global and local cuisines. A classic favourite is the macchi koliwada, a culinary special from the coastal region of India which is a spiced fish, crispy-fried in a ‘local fishermen’ recipe batter for the perfect burst of flavour. Another signature dish is ‘Bombay masala’ eggs Benedict, a culinary twist to the classic with toasted pav bread, poached eggs, and the unique ‘gunpowder’ hollandaise. There is also a selection of homemade infusions to enjoy, one of them being green mountain dynamite concocted with premium vodka, maple syrup, pepper and grapefruit bitters. The hotel’s Romano’s restaurant is all about rustic, authentic, home-style Italian preparations. Guests can enjoy the signature Branzino Cartoccio – an oven-baked Chilean sea bass, caponata, and home-grown herbs. Not to forget, since the inception of Romano’s, the risotto al funghi has been a hit with patrons. Another highlight, the carnaroli risotto is blended with wild mushrooms, porcini and a drizzle of truffle oil. jwmumbai.com
The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences
If you are looking for a unique dining experience, then Zanotta, the Italian restaurant is the place to be. It offers two experiential set menus along with the a la carte menu. The two set menus are inspired from the two rivers Po and Lambro, offering dishes from the surrounding regions. Lambro offers a five-course menu whereas Po offers an eight-course menu for guests to savour flavours of Italy.
Some of its signature dishes feature Puglia burrata, which is homemade burrata with pickled zucchini, beetroot puree, compressed melon, and 12 hours concentrate tomato essence; country-style lobster bisque, a Pernod flavoured bisque, lobster butter, and house-made shrimp cracker; parmigiana di melanzane, an eggplant and parmesan stack with tomato fondue and basil; and parmigiano-reggiano risotto, an arborio rice cooked in parmesan cheese with parmesan mousse and parmesan snow.
The highlight of the restaurant is the dolce dome, a dessert cove where guests can indulge in Italian desserts which include homemade gelatos with flavours like coffee, chocolate and chilli, vanilla, rum, and raisin. theleela.com
The St. Regis Mumbai
The dining scene at The St. Regis Mumbai is quite impressive with a range of restaurants and bars including The Sahib Room & Kipling Bar for Indian cuisine, By the Mekong for pan-Asian and Seven Kitchens, its all-day dining establishment. In focus however is Luna, the hotel’s lounge and bar that’s just launched a collection of handcrafted artisanal and infusion themed cocktails. Selene, a blend of gin, rose water and a blue pea infusion; vino passionera, with wine, passion fruit and vodka; and LTG collins, a concoction of gin, lychee and thyme are some of the offerings. Luna’s signature Lunaroni with gin, Campari and Jägermeister; crescent fashioned, a mix of bourbon, orange marmalade, and cinnamon syrup; and burnt apple martini, with vodka, burnt apple, and brown sugar, are also on this tempting menu. The views of the lounge panning the Arabian Sea and the city’s skyline are just another reason to make a reservation. Complementing the drinks are a selection of gourmet dishes including sushi, dim sum, and European and American bar bites. marriott.com
The Oberoi Sukhvilas Spa Resort, New Chandigarh
For an authentic dining experience, book a table at Kaanan, The Oberoi Sukhvilas Spa Resort, New Chandigarh’s speciality Indian restaurant. The venue occupies an elevated position overlooking a water body and offers indoor seating and al fresco dining accentuated by forest fragrances. Start your day with home-style speciality breakfast breads prepared over a traditional, charcoal-fired clay ‘choolha’ burner accompanied with house-churned country buffalo milk white butter and buttermilk. The dinner menu here honours northwest frontier cuisine with regal kebabs, and long-lost traditional recipes. A must-try is atta chicken which is intricately curated and features rich flavours. The chicken is set on a serving salver with accompaniments and carved in front of the guest. Quench your thirst with red earl cocktail which is a royal concoction of cranberry juice, rose syrup and vodka. oberoihotels.com
Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru
If you are craving some fine Asian food, head to Shang Palace, the signature Chinese restaurant at Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru. Flatter your taste buds with Cantonese delights, barbecue specialities, spicy Sichuan dishes, the robust flavours of Beijing and regional vegetarian delicacies. The Beijing duck is a highly recommended option here and is sure to impress even the most well-travelled and dedicated foodie. Your search for the ultimate dim sum spot in the city also ends here. Other dining venues at the hotel include b Café, an all-day dining restaurant and Ssaffron, an authentic Indian restaurant offering royal cuisine from different regions of India.
