Esquire India’s August Hotlist maps a wave of inventive openings across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune and Bengaluru, where experience is as central as cuisine. From Gurugram’s nine-course duck bar and a no-laptop listening lounge to UFO-inspired burgers, Japanese kissaten cafés and wine bars demystifying vino, these venues reimagine how Indians dine, drink and unwind this month.
Every month, someone finds a new way to make dining feel less predictable. This time, it's a restaurant where every course revolves around duck, a café inspired by UFOs, and a listening bar that would much rather have you admire a 19th-century accordion than open your laptop. Actually you know what, thank goodness for the last one. We need more of that.
The list of new openings to check out this August range from neighbourhood cafés and wine bars to rooftop restaurants, Japanese kissatens and bowling bistros, because after all, every restaurant is selling the experience as much as the meal itself. Whether it's Mumbai adding another excellent Pan-Asian address, Kolkata embracing futuristic cocktails or Gurugram serving duck in more ways than most of us knew existed, there's plenty to add to your dining list.
Here are the restaurant openings worth checking out this month.
Gurugram's Yyaki at Japonico calls itself the world's first Duck Bar, with a nine-course duck tasting experience created by founder Sahil Sambhi and Chef Roberto Blondi. Built around a live-fire robata grill and an intimate six-seat counter, the menu celebrates duck in every possible form. Highlights include the Duck Parfait Tart, Duck Skin Nigiri and Gold Duck Nuggets topped with caviar, before finishing with the - wait for it- duck ice cream. Every course is paired with a specially curated cocktail, also inspired by ducks.
Talk about a new explusive eaterie, and Dramique has come up with D'Glasshouse, a premium dining and cocktail venue within its Vasant Kunj property. Designed for intimate gatherings, the space features floor-to-ceiling glass walls and a relaxed lounge setting, with access limited by a profile-based reservation system. The menu combines European flavours with Asian influences, while the standout "Garden-to-Glass" cocktail programme uses fresh herbs, botanicals and greens to create refreshing, ingredient-forward drinks.
Founded by pastry chef and entrepreneur Ashima Gupta, AFETO Cafe's charm revolves arround specialty coffee, all-day dining and an entirely in-house kitchen. Named after the Portuguese word for "affection", the café caters to everyone from coffee enthusiasts to dessert lovers.
Colosseum has opened in Noida's Sector 117 as an all-day dining destination that combines a bakery, café and multi-cuisine restaurant under one roof. The food menu goes alkl across the world, from Mediterranean, Asian, Continental cuisines to Indian favourites, while the beverage programme features specialty coffees and handcrafted drinks.
TAB (The American Buzz) has opened at Phoenix Palladium's Gourmet Village in Mumbai as a high-energy, all-day dining destination from restaurateurs Romaan and Neha Pathan and Zeeshan Thakur. It serves American comfort food with a contemporary twist, so expect crowd-pleasers like burgers, loaded sandwiches, indulgent small plates and hearty mains, alongside handcrafted cocktails that complement the upbeat, neighbourhood vibe.
Bastian Hospitality has launched Janu by Blondie on Juhu Tara Road, introducing an all-day Indian café that reimagines familiar Indian flavours through a contemporary lens. The menu has everything from chaat to comfort food, with highlights including the Raj Kachori Chaat, Black Dal with Khameeri, Zaffreno Pasta and the airy Malaiyo. Do try out their inventive cocktails, from Rasmalai Matcha and Rasgulla Tiramisu Latte to the playful Don't Jinx It.
After building a loyal following in Bengaluru, Alienkind has opened its first Mumbai outpost in Andheri West, bringing its UFO-inspired burger concept to the city. The playful, futuristic café pairs eye-catching interiors with an equally unconventional menu built on science fiction and fantasy ideas.
Following its popularity in Delhi, Yum Yum Cha has expanded to Mumbai with a new restaurant at Phoenix Palladium. Known for blending authentic Asian flavours with playful presentation, the restaurant serves an extensive menu of handcrafted dim sum, artisanal sushi and sashimi, sizzling stone bowls and comforting hot pots. Order their Japanese Pizzas, Cheung Fun and, of course, the Mochi Ice Cream, which has been an iconic offering in its Delhi days.
DDUCKPIN has opened in Malad West as India's first duckpin bowling bistro, introducing the North American bowling format alongside a full-service dining experience. Located inside Infiniti Mall, the venue combines interactive gaming, food and drinks under one roof.
Kolkata's new dining destination TUA & Synthe pairs contemporary Pan-Asian cuisine with an immersive cocktail programme led by Chef Vaibhav Bhargava and mixologist Ankur Chawla. Check out their 24-Hour Miso Marinated Salmon, Japanese Cold Avocado Pizza and the signature Hazelnut Kung Pao Chicken. Behind the bar, cocktails such as Appetite for More and Controlled Chaos draw inspiration from the imagined future, because your fancy little drink should also come with a backstory.
Chef Brainard Colaco's Momoka introduces Pune to the charm of Japan's traditional kissaten cafés. The menu is centred on Yoshoku cuisine, where Japanese flavours meet Western techniques. Located on Prabhat Road, the café is best known for its handcrafted Sandos made with in-house shokupan. Not to forget its comforting Udon Bowls, Okonomiyaki and the signature Risoni, which swaps Japanese rice for rice-shaped pasta. Round off your meal with the indulgent Shibuya Honey Toast or the Matcha Fudge Brownie.
Opened at Radisson Blu Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, Malties is a listening bar filled with vintage collectibles, from a 19th-century German accordion to old radiograms and film projectors. A strict no-laptop, no-shop-talk policy encourages guests to disconnect and immerse themselves in the food and the experience these collectibles have to offer. Standouts include the Kiev Croquettes, Holy Squid, Tangra-style Crispy Chicken and the Parsi-inspired Bombay Masala Scramble.
Spread across two levels, Heyou is Bengaluru's newest all-day restaurant and bar. The ground floor here is a lively cocktail space, while upstairs is the more relaxed dining room. There's something for evveryone here, be it the Butter Garlic Prawn Pav and Ajwaini Fish Tikka to the Tiger Prawn Pad Thai. Behind the bar, cocktails like the Red Room, blending vodka with watermelon and passion fruit, and the tropical Green Room with pandan and coconut, are the biggest highlights.
Hyatt Centric Hebbal Bengaluru has expanded its dining portfolio with Oohmami, a rooftop Pan-Asian restaurant perched on the hotel's 12th floor. Set against sweeping views of the Bangalore skyline, the restaurant offers an Asian-inspired cuisine and curated music with live entertainment.
House of Awaki has opened its first Bengaluru outpost in Kalyan Nagar, introducing a contemporary Japanese tea house centred on premium teas and ceremonial matcha. The intimate café showcases six ceremonial matcha cultivars sourced from regions including Uji, Mie and Kagoshima, alongside hojicha and genmaicha selections that spotlight Japan's rich tea traditions.