New Openings In Bengaluru That Should Be On Your April Checklist
This is everywhere you must eat and drink in Bengaluru before the queues get longer
India’s biggest metropolises don’t do quiet launches. You’ll blink, and there’s already a new café that has opened doors, a bar you can’t get into without a waitlist, or a restaurant that’s suddenly got everyone talking about it. This April is no different, and recently, we’ve been fawning over the coolest new spaces in Bengaluru.
The city’s dining scene is in full churn mode, with fresh openings popping up across neighbourhoods, each one doing brand-new menus, experimental mixology, and food that comes with a delish side of experience.
From buzzy new bars pouring experimental cocktails to cafés that are as much about design as they are about their food spread, there’s plenty to bookmark (and line up for).
If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to eat your way through Bengaluru, read on.
Bar Cameo
Perched on the rooftop of the Museum of Art and Photography, the space functions as a members’ lounge by the day and transforms into a softly lit bar with a terrace overlooking the city at night.
The interiors are spectacular. Think ruby-red seating, a slanted mirrored roof, vinyl records stacked like a collector’s dream, and actual vintage Air India posters on the walls—not prints, but pieces of art that rotate every few weeks.
On the bar front, Cameo leans into easy and thoughtful cocktails. Order the Shrooms, that balances notes of gin, vermouth, and umami mushroom. It is already becoming a favourite among visitors. The Duskfall, with gin and plum brine, is lighter but interesting, while the Sol y Sal brings mezcal and grapefruit together in a way that’s smoky and delicious.
The food stands tall on its own, which isn’t always the case with bars, so count us thrilled. The menu—by the team behind Navu—mixes comfort and experimentation: Chinatown-style dumplings, Kolkata chilli chicken, tuna tartare don, and even an Earl Grey pear salad if you want to keep things lighter. It’s the kind of menu that lets you snack your way through the night without putting too much thought into it.
Address: 22, Kasturba Rd, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday (6:30 pm–12:30 am)
Price for two: INR 2,500 (exclusive of taxes)
Naked & Famous
Named after the popular cocktail, this bar is dedicated to doing cocktails differently. At the centre of this space is India’s first octagonal bar, split into stations based on how your drink is made—Built, Stirred, Shaken, and Neat—so instead of choosing by spirit, you choose by technique. It sounds niche, but it actually makes ordering feel more intuitive (and way more interesting).
The setup is intentionally interactive. Seating is all around the bar, so you’re right next to the bartender, not across from them, which is intended to spark conversation. You can ask questions, tweak your drink, or just watch the process unfold. On the menu, expect familiar formats with a twist. Drinks like the Curtain Raiser (Campari with citrus and bubbles), Critic’s Choice (tequila, cheddar, apricot), Mi Amante (tequila, yellow bell pepper), and the Show Girl Old Fashioned are diner favourites. The idea is simple: nothing is overworked but effortless.
The food is globally inspired, easy to share, and experimental enough to make its own mark while your sips leave you impressed. Go for offerings like crab and lychee wonton cups, truffle and cheese popcorn, or something heartier like mushroom risotto or mapo tofu with ground chicken if you’re settling in for the night.
If you’re looking for an experience that makes drinking slightly more intentional, this is where to be in Bengaluru.
Address: Second Floor, 4, 100 Feet Rd, KHB Block Koramangala, 5th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560095
Timings: Monday to Sunday (6 pm–1 am)
Price for two: INR 3,000 (exclusive of taxes)
Smoor Experience Centre
This one’s less a café and more a full-blown chocolate-led experience, designed to pull you into the making, tasting, and indulgence of it all. Known for its premium desserts and couverture chocolate, Smoor takes things a notch up here with a space that feels immersive and a heaven for chocolate lovers.
The highlight is the open and interactive format. Yes, you can actually see parts of the chocolate-making process unfold, from tempering to finishing, turning what’s usually behind-the-scenes into something you have a front seat to. There are also different zones, ranging from quick coffee-and-dessert pit stops to longer, more involved sit-down experiences.
On the menu, it’s best to lean into what SMOOR does best: chocolate-forward desserts. Think rich signature pastries, plated desserts, and their classic hot chocolate, alongside newer, more experiential offerings that play with texture and presentation. Their dessert degustation-style options (where available) are worth trying if you want to sample across formats rather than commit to just one thing.
Address: Bliss Chocolates India Private Limited, Survey No.56/6, Avalahalli, Hobli, Bengaluru East, Bidarahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560049
Timings: Saturday & Sunday (11 am-1:30 pm & 2:30 pm-5 pm)
Price: INR 1,499 per adult and INR 749 for children (aged 5–12 years)
Yoichi By Shiro
Yoichi by Shiro feels like walking into a buzzing Southeast Asian night market, just with better lighting and air conditioning! Designed like a live marketplace, dining here involves counters and stations that function as mini food stalls, spotlighting a different cuisine or cooking style, dish by dish.
There’s a central Tuk Tuk Bar anchoring the room, walls lined with sake bottles, mahjong-tiled details, and multiple live sections (including an izakaya-style counter) that keep the space moving. Here, you don’t just sit. You move around, order across sections, and build your own meal as you go.
On the menu, it’s best to lean into this precise market-style approach. Start with dim sums and small plates—these are consistently strong and designed for sharing. Move on to tempura and wok-tossed dishes, which bring in those bold Southeast Asian flavours the space is built around.
If you’re going with a group, the newer Southeast Asian thali is worth trying. It pulls together multiple dishes (think curries, stir-fries, and proteins) into one cohesive platter, making it easier to sample across cuisines without over-ordering. Another attraction is their interactive hot pot experience, made with broths like Sichuan mala or Vietnamese-style.
For those who love Southeast Asian food, visit without hesitation!
Address: 1st Floor, Block U, Embassy Manyata Tech Park-1, MS Ramaiah North City, Nagavara, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Timings: Sunday to Thursday (12 pm-10:30 pm), Friday & Saturday (12 pm-12 am)
Price for two: INR 2,300
NĀVU
What started as an intimate, almost hard-to-get-into supper club has now evolved into a larger, more accessible bistro-style space at MG Road. The space reflects the shift. It’s bigger, yes, but warm and straightforward, with soaring ceilings, textured walls, an open kitchen you can see into, and a corner bar that anchors the room.
On the plate, NĀVU is where things get interesting. The menu is constantly evolving, but a few dishes have already built a cult following. Start with the Beetroot Salad—earthy, sharp, and balanced with their in-house Boursin. The Pissaladière on brioche (with olive tapenade, caramelised onions, and cured fish) is rich but precise, while something like the Shortrib Stroganoff with egg noodles channels comfort food at its best. On the desserts front, enjoy some black sesame ice cream with raspberry, which plays with nutty and tart notes in an unexpected, surprising, and delicious way.
If you care about what’s actually on the plate, this is easily one of the most interesting tables to book right now.
Address: Indiqube Symphony, Shankarnarayan Building, Old, Mahatma Gandhi Rd, opposite East Parade Church, Craig Park Layout, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday (6–11 pm)
Price for two: INR 1,900
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