There’s something about a beautiful space that makes a meal last longer. While we’ve been head over heels for aesthetic, picture-perfect spaces lately, restaurants across the country are now taking that idea a step further. With next-to-no plain walls, polite plating, or room for bland, these spaces embrace bright-hued canvases, stark installations, and eye-catching design details that are as much a part of the experience as what’s on your plate. Walk into one of these spots, and you might find yourself surrounded by installations, sculptures, curated art pieces, handcrafted objects, or even entire walls that feel like exhibitions in their own right. When the palate meets palette, what comes of it is a space that’s as much for the eyes as it is for taste.
It makes sense, really: food and art have always had more in common than we give them credit for. Both are rooted in creativity, both are shaped by place and memory, both are meant to look good, first and foremost, and both are meant to be experienced. What’s new is how intentionally they’re being brought together. Instead of art being an afterthought—a framed print here, a mural there—it’s becoming central to how these spaces are imagined. You’re just as likely to walk into a space hosting a curated art collection or a site-specific installation as you are to walk into a space with a well-designed menu and mouth-watering food. The result? Meals that are all about enjoying delicious food, good company, and greater art!
From galleries that double as cafés to bars that serve their drinks with a side of creativity, these spaces are where you need to be if you’ve been meaning to experience something a little aside from the ordinary.
Dali & Gala, Bengaluru
Set inside a building on Museum Road, Dali & Gala is a bar designed as a surreal, almost theatrical space inspired by Salvador Dalí and his muse Gala. The interiors are packed with over 70 artworks, sculptural elements, and eccentric details—from rotating heads at the bar to themed corners dedicated to the sun, sea, and love—so you’re not just dining around art; in many ways, you’re inside it.
The concept carries through to the drinks. The bar programme is heavy on tequila and mezcal, with a significant portion of the menu built around these spirits. But of course, given what kind of article this is, it’s not just about what’s in the glass, but also how it’s presented. Their classic cocktails come with playful, sometimes provocative names like Disco Porn, Gala Negroni, and Phone Sex, the latter even referencing Dalí’s famous Lobster Telephone through its garnish. The drinks are designed to spark curiosity and conversation, keeping art solely in mind. And of course, they look like art in a glass!
On the food front, the menu focuses on Burmese fare. Some of the standout dishes include Raw Mango on Crack, crispy prawns, and pork chilli—creative, punchy, and ideal for sharing. However, do keep in mind that it’s not the kind of place you choose for a long, sit-down meal; instead, if you’re in the mood for quirky cocktails and a whole lot of art-lore, this is where you must be.
Address: Upper ground, No. 1, the museum, Museum Rd, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Timings: Monday to Sunday (5 pm–1 am)
Price for two: INR 3,000
Kashi Art Cafe, Kochi
Long before art cafés became a trend many were embracing, Kashi Art Café had already done it. Established in 1997 in Fort Kochi, the space was conceived as both a café and a gallery, creating a natural meeting point for artists, travellers, and locals. Housed in a restored Dutch-style building, it opens onto a leafy courtyard, where art is served with a side of their pan-India-famous cake. Rotating artworks line the walls, and over the years, it has become a key part of Kochi’s cultural fabric, especially during events like the annual Biennale, where it often doubles up as an informal gathering space for the art community.
The menu leans into café comfort food, focusing on breakfast items that are served all day. Dishes like loaded omelettes, bacon-and-egg sandwiches, and chicken salad sandwiches are among the most popular. And then there’s the chocolate cake—arguably the café’s most iconic, sought-after offerings—rich, dense, and perfectly gooey.
Unlike a themed spot, Kashi has existed as a haven for lovers of art and conversation for decades, making it a go-to if authentic art lovers and delish chocolate cake are what you’re looking for.
Address: Burger St, near Police Station, Fort Nagar, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala 682001
Timings: Monday to Sunday (8:30 am–10 pm)
Price for two: INR 1,000
Begeterre, Gurugram
At Begeterre, dining is built around luxury. Designed as a museum-inspired space, the restaurant leans heavily into a European Renaissance aesthetic—think classical white interiors, gold accents, walls filled with Renaissance-style paintings, and art installations that make every corner feel curated. At Begeterre, you’re not just here for a meal, but for an immersive experience where art, history, and dining intersect. The best part? The food looks no less like a curated work of art.
The menu takes a global approach rather than sticking to one cuisine. You’ll find everything from Asian and Chinese to Italian and modern Indian food, with dishes that are as visually appealing as they are delicious. Standouts include Begeterre’s truffle linguine, Turkish chicken kebabs, sushi, and small plates including chicken skewers. Desserts also serve as highlights, especially their signature chocolate-based creations such as the Begeterre entremet, live tiramisu, and pistachio cheesecake.
On the bar front, cocktails are also in on the museum-like narrative. Some of the most commonly ordered ones include the Vitruvian Harmony, Live butterfly G&T, and Pop-Up-Fun—all of which are artsy-looking and theatrical in their own ways.
If themed restaurants that transport you to a different time, century, country, and age are your thing, Begeterre is where to be!
Address: Ground Floor, G-02, Golf Course Rd, Sector 43, Gurugram, Haryana 122009
Timings: Monday to Sunday (8 am–12 am)
Price for two: INR 4,000
Art and Charlie, Mumbai
Put the words ‘gallery’ and ‘coffee’ together, and what do you get? Something along the lines of an Art and Charlie.
Tucked into a bright red bungalow in Bandra’s Ranwar Village, Art and Charlie is a cultural hangout that just happens to serve coffee. The space brings together an art gallery, a performance venue, a gift shop, and a café, all under one roof. The core idea here is simple—make art feel less intimidating and more accessible. The space regularly hosts exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, and performances, encouraging just about anyone who crosses its threshold to engage with art beyond simply looking at it on walls.
The tiny café (I’m sure it fits no more than 5 people at once) is run by Mumbai’s favourite Subko. The focus is on well-crafted coffee—the best espressos, cappuccinos, cold brews, and other speciality pours you can imagine—alongside Subko’s classic baked goods and light bites. The idea is just to have something to sip on while you admire the art around the gallery (which keeps rotating artists time and again).
While the space is shut for two weeks for renovations, it remains among the most unique destinations in Mumbai, thanks to how it’s a jack of all trades instead of a master of one: everything you could want on an average day out in the city, in one.
Address: 71A Pali Village New Red House inside Pali Village, directly, Off, Pali Mala Rd, behind Joshi House, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: All days (reopening April 26)
Price for two: INR 800
Dyu Art Cafe, Bengaluru
Dyu Art Cafe takes a quieter, more lived-in approach to art and dining. Set inside what feels like a converted home, the space is built around a courtyard-style layout with natural light, exposed brick, and ample greenery. From admiring art to creating some, you can do it all at Dyu.
The concept is simple. It’s less a curated exhibition and more a space that feels creative and relaxed, where people can sit for hours, work, read, and have their creative juices flow at a rapid pace.
On the food side, breakfast is a big draw, with plenty of options like English breakfasts, French toast, and omelettes, as well as a wide range of sandwiches and salads. Pizzas, pastas, and grilled mains like chicken steak or stroganoff-style dishes are ideal if you’re hungrier: hence, it’s a place you can come to at any time of day. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, their dessert, including the banoffee pie, cheesecake variants, and signature chocolate cake, are popular picks.
Address: KHB MIG Colony, Dyu Art Cafe 23, 22, 1st Cross Rd, Koramangala 8th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560095
Timings: Monday to Sunday (10 am–10:30 pm)
Price for two: INR 1,000
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