The June Hot List: New Restaurants Across India
Where to eat, drink, and casually name-drop this month
June’s shaping up to be a good month for going out.
It’s blazing hot, we can’t walk outside, the cinema this summer feels dull (I miss Barbenheimer), so naturally, we’ll be congregating at bars this summer.
This month’s crop has range. There’s a pan-Asian diner that feels like a late-night trip through Tokyo’s underbelly. A neighbourhood bar in Juhu that serves chakhna with Peruvian flair and cocktails with names as chaotic as your group chat. There’s a rooftop revelry in Andheri that might just have your new favourite sliders, and a matcha moment in the middle of Delhi that’s anything but basic.
It’s loud in all the right ways, surprising in the best ones, and proof that India’s dining and drinking game isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
You may also like
Gonzo, Gurugram
If your palate’s got a passport, Gonzo’s your terminal. With outposts in Delhi and Ludhiana, the pan-Asian hotspot now lands in Gurgaon with all its signature attitude intact. The new outpost at The Boulevard in Magnum Global Park is an explosion of neon, anime accents, and street-side grit, bringing the buzz of Seoul alleys and Bangkok night markets into one electric dining room. The menu’s a greatest hits compilation—karaage chicken, xiao long bao, chilli prawns, sushi rolls, even Philly cream cheese dimsum—all loud, unapologetic, and built for bold bites and bigger moods. Come for the food, stay for the vibe. Or vice versa.
Oryn, Fairmont Mumbai
Tucked inside the freshly minted Fairmont, Oryn isn’t just another luxury hotel restaurant. It’s a full-blown period piece, set in 1920s Shanghai, dripping in drama, silk knots, and bioscope-inspired nostalgia. Think cinematic escapism with a side of caviar-topped dim sum and wood-fired Peking duck. The cocktails are elemental—literally, inspired by the five Wu Xing elements—and the mood morphs from elegant to decadent as the sun dips. If you want a night out that feels like a secret, like you’ve stepped into a Wong Kar-Wai dreamscape, this is it.
SMAA, Andheri
Andheri’s got a new rooftop, and it’s not messing around. SMAA isn’t chasing minimalism—it’s chasing fun. This breezy perch pairs skyline views with a menu that’s playful without being gimmicky. The Mushroom Bunny Chow is the surprise star, while sliders and tandoori naan bombs play reliable support. The cocktails are easygoing, the mood even easier, and the kind of place where an impromptu sundowner turns into last rounds under the stars. No dress code, no pretense—just good food, solid drinks, and a place to vibe.
Leo’s, Juhu
This new Juhu bar wears many hats—storyteller, cocktail lab, neighbourhood hangout. Designed like a love letter to a life well-travelled, Leo’s is all about character—whether it’s in their graffitied walls, Moroccan tile floors, or cocktails that read like diary entries. Try Cereal Killer, a mischievous chocos-and-milk concoction that somehow works, or Red Flag, a grape soju-based drink that’s sweet, bitter, and a little too relatable. On the food side, it’s global tapas with a twist: choripan goes vegan, chaap goes Peruvian, and the French toast finale? Pure indulgence. This isn’t a bar—it’s a narrative.
The Hedonist, Fairmont Mumbai
Step into the golden age of glamour at The Hedonist, Mumbai’s plush new cocktail bar tucked inside the Fairmont. Equal parts speakeasy and cinematic dreamscape, this one’s got dark wood, jazz, and a deep reverence for the Art Deco era. Expect moody lighting, theatrical martini hours, a curated cigar den, and cocktails that come with a story. The vibe? Think jazz-age opulence with a rebel artist’s soul. It’s indulgence with intention—plush, polished, and just the right amount of provocative.
You may also like
Red Box, Mumbai
The OG is back. Red Box—the iconic Turner Road haunt that ruled the early 2000s—is resurrected in Juhu with a slicker, sharper edge. This isn’t just a reboot; it’s a nostalgic homecoming wrapped in avocado toast and sizzlers. The menu is a greatest hits mix: sushi, soups, sizzlers, breakfast classics, and everything in between. Gluten-free, vegan, and healthy? They’ve got you. But they’ve also got indulgent burgers, creamy pastas, and cocktails that remember how to have fun. The city asked—and Red Box answered. Loudly.
Dali & Gala, Bangalore
Named after the surrealist legend and his muse, this 2,500 sq-ft cocktail playground leans into chaos—in a good way. Split into seven rooms, each packed with visual drama, Dali & Gala is less about subtlety, more about impact. Tequila and mezcal are the stars here, but the drinks list covers everyone from whisky loyalists to gin connoisseurs. The real surprise? Burmese-inspired bar food that slaps—think raw mango on rice crackers, tuna sashimi, and ridiculously good fried rice. Art bar or fever dream? You decide.
Hinoki Slow Bar, New Delhi
If your nervous system’s been fried by Delhi’s usual caffeine chaos, Hinoki is your antidote. This new Japanese-style slow bar in Safdarjung Enclave is about coffee that’s brewed with care, not churned out. No food menu. No chaos. Just pour-overs, hand-pressed espresso, and matcha done right. Founded by two college friends, this stripped-down space is all about intentional pauses and shared rituals. Come here when you want to taste your coffee—not Instagram it.
JSan, Goa
Tucked away in Anjuna, JSan is Chef Vishesh Jawarani’s ode to the Japanese izakaya—minus the kitsch. You enter through bold torii gates in charred yakisugi wood, the only pop of colour in a moody, minimal space that leans into wabi-sabi. Think kintsugi-tiled floors, handmade ceramics, and custom chairs that mimic shrine gates. It’s deeply personal too—family heirlooms show up as design elements, with his father helming the architecture. The food is soulful bowls of ramen and izakaya-style plates served with quiet precision. It’s the kind of place where time slows.
Supa San, BKC Mumbai
Supa San is a high-energy mashup of Tokyo street cool and manga chaos dropped into Mumbai’s BKC. Designed like a collector’s living room, the space is packed with anime art, sneakers, and a curated sense of fun. Chef Hideki Hiwatashi serves up precise Japanese comfort—ramen, sushi, kamameshi—while the bar stirs up cocktails laced with wasabi, yuzu and whimsy. Add a merch corner, moody lighting, and playlists to match, and you’ve got yourself an insider haunt with swagger.
Smash Guys, Bangalore
After months of online teasing, Smash Guys brings its cult burger energy to Indiranagar. The vibe is classic American diner with an edge—neon signage, checkerboard floors, and the comforting sizzle of a grill in full flow. Burgers here are pure technique: crisp-edged smash patties, fermented sauces, and torched bone marrow if you’re feeling bold. There’s fried chicken, truffle wedges, and a rum-laced mousse to round things out. Not just hype—these guys came to cook.