Delhi in March is always that new-fork season, where everything opens up, the menu changes and you have an additional ten pins on your favourite food map. I was making rounds of place every few weekends to find out what is new and the following are 9 of such restaurants that were opened this March and are well worth visiting. Get your foodie crew, cancel your Saturday brunch plans and we will go out exploring.
(Where available, meal-for-two estimates were included here too.)
1. La Roca – Aerocity
The entrance of La Roca in Aerocity was like I was on the wrong street and found myself in Barcelona, albeit, better. It is said to be the first tapas-bar venue of this style in Delhi and the inside is luxurious, cave-like with stone textures and low-key lighting. I sat and dined on cured beetroot and walnut-candy with goat-cheese, and pass to the Trio Mushroom Risotto – rich, earthy, and only fancy enough to be eaten out by an adult. Cocktails here should have a shout-out. Price for two: ~₹ 2,300.
Location: 6, Lower Ground floor, Worldmark 1, Next to IGI Airport, Aerocity.
Get there: To get the touch of that city getaway within the city + share-plates of tapas that you will not be able to pass by.
2. The Vintage Venue Hudson Lane.
This one is a gem to those who belong to the South Campus/North Campus circuit. The Vintage Venue in Hudson Lane was launched this March and it reminds of a relaxed post lecturing retreat. Soft pastel interior, comfortable furniture, strange wall decorations. My friends and I ordered the Red Velvet Freak Shake and Open Chicken Burger. Both hit the sweet-spot.
Location: 2516, 2 nd floor, Hudson lane, GTB Nagar.
Why go: Cheap, fun, good to have a long conversation and comfort food cure.
3. Burger Farm – GTB Nagar
It is one you’re going to like, if you are a lover of burgers. Burger Farm is a new restaurant that opened in March, and the theme is to present monster burgers with attitude. Pickle Tickle, Super Freak, just the titles make you smile. The thing is topped off with thick shakes such as Mixberry and Oreo. I recall the time I took a bite on one of their burgers and then I thought: that one counts. Pocket friendly, as well: Two-course meal costs 300.
Location: Kingsway Camp, 2519, Hudson Lane, GTB Nagar.
Why go: The reason is that there are some occasions when you simply have to have a burger that is too big and tastes better.
4. Khan Market Foxtrot Khan Market.
To the brunchers and coffee + book weekenders – Foxtrot have homey rustic-chic decorations and a menu that is heavy on breakfast. Opened this March it offers such dishes as The Bombay Gymkhana Breakfast and Ghee Roast Chicken Tacos (you really read that). The coffee is pulled very serious as well.
Address: Shop 18, 1 st and 2 nd floor, Khan Market.
Meal for two: ~₹ 1,500.
Reasons to go: Sundays off, chatter, good coffee and food with the slightest of flairs.
5. PAUL India, ambience, DLF phase III, Gurgaon.
A little out of the city of Delhi, but well worth being mentioned. PAUL India is a new place that has opened this March in South-Gurgaon, and adds French bakery flairs to our neighbourhood. Croissants, brioche, Sugar Pie, Crepe with Banoffee Shakes. I have come in to a silent catch up and enjoyed the atmosphere.
Location: G-1, Ground floor, ambience, DLF phase III, Gurgaon.
Meal for two: ~₹ 1,500.
Why go: Dessert, date brunchers, this is your world.
6. Kaffa Cerrado – Okhla Phase II
This is the one that has just opened this March and it is a wonderful discovery among people fond of coffee and working in cafes. Spartan decoratives, brunch, and a game of bean (they bring their own). I had a pleasant afternoon up here with a book + flat-white, and had to remain longer than I had intended.
Location: A-77, Okhla Phase II.
Meal for two: ~₹ 450.
Reasons why: Relaxed, quality coffee, ideal on the way to work alone, or during an informal gathering.
7. Brewocrat Gurugram sector 47, Gurgaon.
Brewocrat, an organic-beer brewery, came into existence this March and pitches itself as the first of its kind, in the region, in terms of weekend drink and chill places. I attended there with friends, ordered their Big Fat Mezze Platter, as well as martinis and house specials. The atmosphere was easy-going, the crowd was active on the weekend.
Location: Element One Block A, Lower Terrace, Sector 47, Gurgaon.
Meal for two: ~₹ 1,600.
Why go: Craft beer, easy going and better than the traditional pub.
8. Love Grill – Hudson Lane
This restaurant was also opened in March and it is a fun restaurant that is affordable. Their monster burgers, Mac and cheese in a waffle cone and freak shake are quite Instagram. Went with a group of people, had a Spicy Watermelon Fresco and monster burger. Laughed, ate, repeated.
Location: G-17, Shop No 2, Ground floor, Vijay Nagar, Hudson Lane.
Meal for two: ~₹ 400.
Why go: Fun, quirky, friend friendly, post lectures hunger pangs.
9. Ghoomar Traditional Thali Restaurant – Connaught place.
When you are in the mood of having traditional and hearty vegetarian food with a Rajasthani-North-Indian influence Ghoomar is the place to be. It opened in March and it already started getting its crowd. The environment is ethnic and the thali plate is full of comfort and (meal two persons- 800) is affordable.
Location: K-18/K-22, opposite PVR plaza, Connaught Place.
Why go: Your reason should be good food, heritage ambience, vegetarian fans celebrate.
Final Word
Well that is it – nine new locations as of March 2019 that I am already eyeing in my next food crawl. Indeed, Delhi has you covered whether you are on a hunt of a brunch, burgers, high-tea, craft beer or thali-feast. Choose one, reserve it (better not to lock down tables, just in case), starve and enjoy your tastebuds.
