August Hot List: New Restaurants and Bars Across India
Where to eat, drink, and casually name-drop this month
August is a mood.
Bombay’s soaked, the air is heavy and cool, and you’re dreaming of something hot and bold as the monsoon drama surrounds you. Goa’s gone lush and green, calling for smoky grills and seaside bites. As for Delhi, well, it’s sweaty and sultry and still asking for excess and desperate for air conditioning. Pune? Pune pulled out some of the year’s biggest surprises.
This month, India’s dining scene is in the mood to show off. From hand-pulled noodles that tingle and singe, to reimagined Thai classics grilled over fire and fury, to a beloved ramen bar finally landing in Mumbai (and soon Delhi)—this August, the country’s culinary calendar is having a real moment. From speakeasy cocktails to dessert bars with their own fan clubs—this is your cheat sheet to what’s new, what’s hot, and what everyone will be talking about until September.
MUMBAI
Wagamama, Churchgate
The OG of ramen-bar-cool has finally made its Indian debut, and where better than Mumbai’s Churchgate—at the historic Cambata Building, no less. Wagamama, the cult London-born Asian dining concept, brings its signature slurp-and-sizzle philosophy to the city with a menu that’s to die for. You’ll find all the classics—Katsu Curry, Bang Bang Cauliflower, Kare Burosu Ramen, Donburi bowls, and golden Banana Katsu for the sweet tooths. The restaurant is all communal seating, and offers a drinks list full of zingy Asian cocktails and fruit-forward mocktails.
It’s got global street cred. And with K Hospitality Corp backing it, expect more cities to follow suit soon. (wink, wink Delhi)
Comorin, Lower Parel
The Delhi crowd’s go-to for intelligent Indian fare has landed in Mumbai, and it’s gone all out. Comorin’s second outpost lives inside Nilaya Anthology, the swanky new design-led space in Lower Parel. The vibe is earthy, modern, quietly luxurious—with textured surfaces, geometry, and zones that transition from chic brunches to late-night pours. The menu is a greatest hits of nostalgia-meets-nuance: a smoky dal, the creamy raan, an inventive chaat, or a perfectly poured cocktail, Comorin knows how to balance restraint with indulgence.
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Fireback, Lower Parel
David Thompson has arrived. And with him, a whole new playbook for Thai dining in India. Fireback, from the EHV stable (the same folks behind Indian Accent and Comorin), is as much a mood as it is a meal. This is not your typical Pad Thai pitstop—it’s hot, it’s smoky, and it has a Josper grill at its heart. There’s Miang Kham wrapped in betel leaves, Pineapple Som Tam that surprises in all the right ways, Lamb Chops doused in thick, complex gorlae sauce, and a Jungle Curry that pulls no punches.
Harajuku Tokyo Café & Bakehouse, BKC
If you’re looking for something cute—but not just cute—Harajuku Tokyo Café & Bakehouse delivers. Already a hit in Delhi, it’s now open at Jio World Drive with a two-pronged approach: a high-energy café and bar that flips into izakaya-mode after dark, and a pastel-hued bakehouse next door offering soufflé pancakes and Japanese cheesecakes that literally melt in your mouth.
Think Kaiten Zushi (yes, we finally have that in Mumbai), sake bombs with a manga twist, corn dogs, gyoza platters, and ramen bowls that punch above their weight. The Coal-Fired Miso Salmon, Rainbow Rolls, and “Call Me Kimchi” cocktail are standouts. Oh, and they’ve got a pet-friendly menu too!
BANG BANG! Noodle, Goregaon
You’ve never had noodles like this before—not in Mumbai, at least. Chef Rahul Punjabi’s BANG BANG! is a love letter to Sichuan street food and the hand-pulled noodle stalls of Sydney’s Chinatown. It’s loud, intense, super chaotic, and we’re here for it. The noodle menu is short, sharp, and spicy: think Biang Biang Mien laced with aromatic oils, to Ma La Collagen Pork Soup that’s been simmered for 24 hours. There’s a Chilli Oil Soft Serve for dessert, a fictional mascot (Pai Mei) lending irreverence to the interiors, and plenty of theatrical flair. Trust me, you won’t leave underwhelmed.
Nando’s, Worli
After years of waiting, Nando’s has officially opened its first flagship in Mumbai — right at Kamala Mills. While the PERi-PERi chicken needs no introduction, the Mumbai menu also brings in a broader veg selection to cater to the city’s palate. Think bold Nandos heat, bottomless Coke, and that signature red-and-black branding that’s as familiar as it is comforting. Whether you’re team Extra Hot or Lemon & Herb, welcome to the Casa!
DEA, Prabhadevi, Mumbai
Dinner-only, deeply atmospheric, and practically begging for you to wear something dramatic—DEA is Mumbai’s newest altar to fire and flavour. Designed by Khaled Sharan, this 3600-sq-ft space in Prabhadevi wears its mythology on its sleeve (and ceiling). Earthy textures meet tribal influences, deep reds echo ancient rituals, and a glowing alcove bar commands attention with a carved relief wall straight out of a fever dream. The food follows suit: fermentation-forward, smoky, sensual. It’s not your everyday night out—it’s a little theatrical, a lot sensory, and really bold.
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DELHI NCR
Mi Piaci, New Delhi
Mi Piaci brings authentic Italian finesse to Delhi, with a rooftop view and an all-Italian kitchen team led by co-founders Lorenzo Lanzoni and Harsh Rathore. Everything’s made fresh in front of you — pasta twirled live, soft music floating through the air, and cocktails like the Tirami (think boozy dessert) setting the tone. It’s romantic, but now cliché.
Libertario Coffee, GK2
Set in GK2, Libertario is where good beans meet even better storytelling. This is the first Indian outpost of the Colombian coffee brand, founded by Arushi Mehra and her husband Miguel. It’s all warm wood, detailed brewing, and an intentional food menu that pairs beautifully with single-origin cups. Try the Paz blend for toffee-caramel comfort, or the rare Geisha beans if you’re feeling indulgent.
GOA
Morjim Culture
Hospitality veteran Gaurav Narang (of Coffee Culture fame) has crafted a true multi-hyphenate venue right on Morjim beach. Guests can basically start with a slow-drip Mont Blanc Cold Brew at the café, which then transforms into a sunset-hued sundowner spot. And then you can end the night slipping behind unmarked doors into Unculture, the on-site speakeasy where you can order cocktails based on your mood. It’s very Goa. We’re here for it.
Café Lento
From the minds behind The Daily and Tsuki, Lento is less café, more personal manifesto. Tucked away in a quiet corner of Goa, it’s helmed by Chef Jyoti Singh, whose dishes lean globally inspired but emotionally grounded — from Indonesian Sunrise Congee to the McPav, his take on a memory-laden McChicken. The coffee program, developed with Suhas Dwarkanath is excellent. Lento isn’t trying to be the next big thing—it’s just here for some peace and quiet, and a good time.
HYDERABAD
Natsu
Meaning “summer” in Japanese, Natsu has whispers of luxury. Located at the Taj Deccan, it blends tropical calm with Asian precision. The food journeys through Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan — hand-rolled sushi, intricate multi-course menus, and a setting that leans soft-lit and gold-toned. There’s also a breezy alfresco section, ideal for starlit evenings and quiet catch-ups. It’s Pan-Asian, polished, and perfectly poised for Hyderabad’s evolving palate.
PUNE
The Lakehouse, Amanora
This is a culinary retreat built on the edge of a private lake. The Lakehouse by Amanora is a 10,000 sq. ft. standalone space designed for deeply refined dining. Conceived by F’KD Studio’s Faizan Khatri, the restaurant draws from timeless lakeside homes—open decks, curved walls, reclaimed wood, and lime-plastered surfaces that shift with the sun. For food, think: baked burrata with truffle oil, mushroom ‘foie gras’ with tamarind jam, or lamb shank bourguignonne falling off the bone.
BANGALORE
Kalpaney
Tucked away in JP Nagar, Kalpaney is not your typical new-age restaurant. Conceptualised by Avinash Kapoli and chef Sombir Chaudary, the space is named after “kalpana” — imagination — and that ethos permeates every dish. It’s vegetarian food reimagined with curiosity. Feta meets dahi bhalla, lotus stem becomes a smoky seekh, and dal dhokli is reworked as silky tagliatelle with kokum tadka. The drinks follow suit — the mocktails feature originals like Imli ka Khajur (tamarind, date molasses, vegan foam, green chilli, and smoked Himalayan salt). The space feels like a thoughtfully collected home — all warm wood, Kalamkari tones, and soft corners.
RIKO
RIKO is fire-forward Peruvian-Latin cooking. The latest concept from The Kofteci Group (behind Oz by Kebapci and Klava), this restaurant pays homage to Peru’s rich culinary heritage, while adapting it with care for an Indian context. The menu is elemental — smoky grills, citrusy ceviches, and punchy regional signatures — anchored by a live-fire kitchen that’s part-theatre, part-spirit. Interiors channel the Andean highlands: sculptural clay installations, hand-laid stone, microcement, and terracotta with leaf murals and tucked-away bookshelves.