9 Chef-Driven Restaurants in India That Define the Dining Experience

The constant evolution food The Indian dining scene has always been about the best restaurants for its diners. While the food you get at fast food chains or restaurants with multiple locations, Luxury restaurant focuses on your experience and happiness. The biggest difference you can find between them and chef-driven restaurants Fine dining focuses on your tastes and flavours, while the rest focuses on a large crowd. Fine dining makes you feel as if the food is specifically made for you. From redefining Indian flavours and adding a quirky twist to delicacies to serving delicious international dishes to delight your taste buds, ‘Bharat darshan’ is not complete without adding these chef-driven restaurants to your itinerary. We have put together a list of 9 places to eat to make the most of your culinary journey with quality food and unforgettable memories. Happy exploring!

Ekaa by Niyati Rao

Chef Niyati Rao has poured her memories and experiences into the menu at Ekaa. This ever-evolving destination in Kitab Mahal Mumbai has a fixed a la carte menu, but most people come for the chef’s tasting menu. Earlier, it was all about reinventing regional ingredients from India, and recently, they’ve been showcasing a 10-course menu inspired by royal food cultures throughout history. From 110% hydration bread on the Pharoah Plate to rare ingredients like Ratnagiri seaweed, red weaver ants from Bengal, quince from Srinagar, black fungus from Haryana, and lion’s mane mushrooms from Delhi NCR, there’s a wealth of flavours to explore.

Address: 171-187, Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Rd, Borabazar District, Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

USP dishes: spring chicken, koji-cured duck

Hours: 12:30 am – 3:30 pm

Cost for two: ₹4000

Kappa Chakka Kandhari by Chef Regi Mathew

Named after the three staples of Kerala cuisine – tapioca, jackfruit and hot chillies – Kappa Chakka Kandhari was co-founded by Chef Regi Mathew as a tribute to the authentic home-cooked culinary traditions of Kerala. With numerous awards attesting to their quality food and heartfelt concept, they are bringing Kerala cuisine back into the fine dining spotlight. With the warm flavours of Kerala spices, this is a must-visit place for all food lovers, where you can sample mouthwatering dishes from chemmeen varattiyathu to prawn puttu biryani.

Address: Nithya Amirtham – Nungambakkam, 11, Haddows Ln, Thousand Lights West, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600006

Dishes USP: chemmeen varattiyathu, prawn puttu biryani

Hours: 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Cost for two: ₹1400

Khikhi by Tarun Sibal

Another popular fine dining restaurant offers a variety of dishes to make your date nights or get-togethers an absolute delight. Celebrity chef and entrepreneur Tarun Sibal introduced ‘KhiKhi’ with fine dining concepts and hospitality. This contemporary international bar translates to ‘laughter’ and the chef managed to create a safe and intimate space for people to engage in heart-to-heart conversation with their friends or family. KhiKhi is designed to deliver delicious Indian flavours through dishes like chicken pakora, smoked Afghani Khi Khi and vegetarian galouti kebab to delight your taste buds.

Address: Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, Delhi 110070

USP dishes: Chicken Pakora, Smoked Afghan Khi Khi, Vegetable Galouti

Hours: 17:00 – 00:00 hours

Cost for two: ₹2500

Oh Peter By Hussain Shahzad

With charming interiors, O Pedro is a delightful restaurant that Chef Floyd Cardoz opened along with his partners in 2017 and is happily continued by his apprentice Chef Hussain Shahzad. The restaurant is a perfect testament to Goan heritage and serves famous Goan and Portuguese inspired dishes. O Pedro is proud to say that its dishes are inspired and not ‘authentic’ as it manages to bring all the flavours under one roof. Apart from its signature dishes and innovative cocktails, you can try its newly launched menu that includes Burrata Salad, Chorizo ​​Flatbread, Maria’s Tuna Toast, Pinto’s Midnight Mushroom Rice, Valpoi Lamb Curry, Green Amaranth Trail and Homemade Sourdough during your visit.

Address: 3rd Avenue, Block G BKC, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051

USP Dishes: Green Panji Mawatana Rassa, Prawns Ambto

Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:30 am

Cost for two: ₹3500

Chef Pillai By Chef Suresh Pillai

Owned by renowned chef Suresh Pillai, this charming restaurant offers a complete dining experience to its diners. Not only can you enjoy the authentic taste of Kerala in every bite, but you can also make the most of your visit by savouring delicious meals with your family and friends. Their 10-page menu includes pazhampori chaat, Quilon fried chicken, pol sambol kalamari, Malabar vegetable mappas and much more.

Address: 1st Cross Rd, Mahadevapura Layout, RHB Colony, Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560048

Dishes USP: pazhampori chaat, fried chicken quilon, pol sambol kalamari

Hours: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm

Cost for two: ₹1400

Chef Kunal Kapoor’s Zip Code

Located in Civil Lines, Saket and more, Chef Kunal Kapoor has infused delicious Indian delicacies that are truly inspired by his family recipes and the chef’s culinary experiences that have been passed down through generations and destinations. The chef focused on introducing mouthwatering flavours in the dishes to revive the spirit of Indian culture. You can try their signature milk and bread pudding for a change. For delicious and comforting dishes, incorporate cheese kebab, Bhatti Murgh and hummus chaat into your plate during your visit.

Address: Multiple points of sale

USP dishes: milk and bread pudding

Hours: 12:30 pm – 11:45 pm

Cost for two: ₹2000

The Yellow Chili, by Sanjeev Kapoor

Who doesn’t recognise the iconic face from the show Masterchef? Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-led restaurant, The Yellow Chilli is recognised as the number one North Indian food brand globally. The chef focuses on redefining Indian flavours with a subtle hint of spices and delicious preparation methods. You can add a variety of dishes including Kashmiri chicken shorba, Adraki bhuna gosht, Dilliwala butter chicken and more to your plate. The Yellow Chilli is a restaurant chain where food is cooked in the most hygienic environment.

Address: Multiple points of sale

USP Dishes: Kashmiri Chicken Shorba, Adraki Bhuna Gosht, Dilliwala Butter Chicken

Hours: 10:30 am – 1:00 am

Cost for two: ₹1600

Two by three By Jatin Mallick and Julia Carmen Desa

Owned by a superb chef duo, Jatin Mallick and Julia Carmen Desa, Tres offers a delightful dining experience to its diners. With a delightful approach of incorporating all the international food dishes into their menu, the interior and relaxing ambiance is something that can elevate your dining experience. You can try their famous Basque cheesecake, avocado and pumpkin ceviche – “leche de tigre” while at the restaurant.

Address: Block 8, Lodi Colony, New Delhi, Delhi 110003

USP dishes: Avocado ceviche, pumpkin, tiger’s milk, chicken salad, crispy fish

Hours: 12:00 pm – 11:45 pm

Cost for two: ₹2500

Folk Kalaghoda by Jasleen Marwah

Nestled in the lanes of Kala Ghoda, this 50-seat restaurant has something for everyone. Founded by Chef Jasleen Marwah, who is famous for her Kashmiri food, you can enjoy a variety of regional comfort food options. The well-lit restaurant uses the Devnagri script in the Folk logo to represent regional focus. You can include Bengali Shorshe Chingri, Bihari Champaran Lamb Curry, Goan Prawn Curry, Yakhni Pulao and much more on your plate.

Address: 14, New Bake House, Maharashtra Chambers, Lane, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

Dishes USP: Bengali shorshe chingri, Bihari Champaran mutton curry, Goan prawn curry

Hours: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Cost for two: ₹2000