India's Top 10 Restaurants

Image via ITC

If you want a taste of what Indian foods former US president Bill Clinton likes, then head to Bukhara. Not only did Clinton dine here, but there’s a mixed Indian platter dish that consisted of mixed meats, lentils and fresh baked bread that’s named after him. Bukhara specialises in Indian food, and the north Indian cuisines are a must try.
Bukhara’s menu also includes the Obama and Hillary Clinton platters, created when the current US presidents and the US Secretary of State visited the city.

What to Try: The dal makhani, especially if you want to indulge your taste buds in something rich. The dal is infused with flavour, as it’s kept simmering for 48 hours!


Koh
At: Mumbai

One of the city’s newest Thai restaurants, Koh was opened in August by Ian Kittichai, that famous chef from New York. And since he can import ingredients, Kittichai gives his Thai food a modern and innovative twist.

What to Try: The Hamachi (Japanese white fish) and the signature chocolate baby back ribs, which incorporate cocoa with meat! The vegetarians will love the oven-roasted aubergine and the hot stone rice.

 
Travertino
At: The Oberoi, New Delhi

Image courtesy via Oberoi Hotels

One of the best places for Italian food in Delhi is Travertino. The restaurant, which is designed so that the wine cellar opens into the dining area, also has one of the most enviable collections of wines and cheeses. It was also picked byForbes magazine as on of India’s most expensive restaurants.

What to Try: The signature truffle dishes, such as the risotto with fresh Umbrian black truffle and the tagliolini with pancetta and Umbrian black truffle.


Zen
At: Leela Palace, Bangalore

Image courtesy via The Leela

The pink-hued hotel’s Pan-Asian restaurant, Zen, leaves diners spoilt for choice, especially with Japanese, Balinese, Thai, Korean and Singaporean specialties. Zen also has a special counter setting where you can sit and enjoy your sushi or a Korean barbeque.

What to Try: Sip on some Japanese Sake or Korean Soju.


Wasabi by Morimoto
At: The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai

Image courtesy: Taj Hotels

It’s one of the city’s most exclusive Japanese haute cuisine restaurants. The place is all about whisky mixed with Japanese spice. The restaurant stocks malts that date back to the 1930s and 40s. Also watch the chefs at the sushi counter and in the teppanyaki kitchen show off their skills.

What to Try: Japanese beer or rice wine along with crab samosas and iberico ham with figs. If you just want to try something completely out of the box then opt for the guacamole pani puri with tamarind dressing, for that global twist.


Villa 39
At: Colaba, Mumbai

This Italian restaurant has made it onto Mumbai’s must-be-seen at list. The decor is Indian-meets-Italian, so expect carved Indian panels and a glittering chandelier.

What to Try: The Carpaccio di Manzo (beef carpaccio) and the Terrina di Mozzarella Caprese ( tomato and mozzarella pesto) are mouth  watering.

 
Karavali
At: The Taj (Residency Road), Bangalore

Image courtesy: Taj Hotels

Designed to look like a Mangalorean home, with wooden ceilings, furniture and antique lamps, Karavali gives diners a taste of south India. Picked as one of Asia, and India’s, best restaurants by the Miele Guide (Asia’s answer to Michelin and Zagat) the restaurant has also picked up a Times Good Food Guide for its sea food.

What to Try: Tuck into its signature Coorg fried chicken or try the Alleppy fish curry.

 
Italia
At: The Park Hotel, Chennai

Image via The Park Hotel

This Italian restaurant has several big names associated with it. Not only is Chef Rajesh behind the grill here, but he’s had help from top chef Antonio Carluccio, a regular on BBC food programmes. Designers Abraham & Thakore have also helped design the linen.

What to Try: The baked asparagus, risotto with roasted chicken and Tiramisu.


WharfAt: Chennai

Image courtesy: BCCL

This seaside restaurant, where the fish is caught right in front of your eyes, is one of Asia and India’s best restaurants according to the Miele Guide. The menu is an array of exotic dishes that are stylishly presented. The ambiance is perfect for a romantic dinner date.

What to Try: All the steaks, if you have the stomach for it, especially the Moroccan chicken steak. The vegetarians could opt for the corn steak.


Sakura
At: The Metropolitan Hotel, Nikko, New Delhi

Image via The Metropolitan Hotel

This fine eatery specialises in Japanese cuisines and highlights the culinary delights of Kaiseki food. You’ll get a taste of traditional but reinvented Japan since all the chefs are of Japanese origin. Sakura has been labeled as one of the Top 5 Best Japanese Restaurants of the world, outside Japan and was also awarded the title of ‘Best Japanese Restaurant of Delhi.’ So you know what you’re getting into. The restaurant imports most of their fish from Japan since they’re not available in India.

What to Try: Dig into the sashimi and sushi. The vegetable tempura is a big hit with the veggie lovers. If you’ve never tried eel before, this is the place to have it.