Delhi NCR’s restaurant scene is ending the year on an exciting note, with a fresh wave of openings bringing new flavours, concepts and dining experiences to the city. From a contemporary take on India’s coastal culinary traditions and a café that combines dining with pickleball to inventive Asian menus and globally inspired comfort food, these new addresses offer plenty of reasons to step out and explore. Whether you are looking for an interesting new neighbourhood restaurant or a destination worth travelling across the city for, here are the new restaurants in Delhi NCR to check out before the year ends.
Jhol
Bringing the flavours of India’s coastline to the capital, JHOL is set to make its Delhi debut on November 15. The contemporary Indian restaurant concept, founded by internationally acclaimed chef Hari Nayak, first opened in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit district, where it earned recognition from the Michelin Guide in Bangkok. Its culinary identity is rooted in India’s diverse coastal food traditions, drawing inspiration from the Konkan and Malabar regions in the west to Chettinad, Pondicherry and the Bay of Bengal in the east. Rather than sticking to conventional interpretations of regional Indian cuisine, JHOL reimagines these culinary traditions through contemporary techniques, distinctive ingredients and thoughtful presentations, while retaining the character of their origins.
The word ‘JHOL’, a Mumbai colloquialism for mischief, reflects the restaurant’s playful and experimental approach to food. For its Delhi venture, Nayak has partnered with Akshay Shokeen, Karan Chawla and Angad Singh, the team behind Call Me Ten and Backyard Delhi. The opening brings an internationally recognised concept to the capital, with a focus on exploring the country’s coastal culinary heritage through a contemporary lens.
Address: Crescent Mall, Chatri Wala Kuan, Lado Sarai, New Delhi, Delhi 110030
Cafe Casa Dunes, Aerocity
Moving beyond the conventional café format, Cafe Casa Dunes brings food, sport, music and wellness together under one roof. Designed as an all-day social destination, the Aerocity outpost combines a desert-inspired setting with a pickleball court, making it as much a place for an active morning as it is for a leisurely meal or an evening out with friends. The day-to-night concept is central to its appeal: mornings are geared towards pickleball and breakfast, afternoons lend themselves to casual dining, coffee and catch-ups, while evenings transition into music and social gatherings. The menu spans all-day breakfast, croissant sandwiches, crêpes and toasties, alongside burgers, wraps, poke bowls and hand-tossed Neapolitan pizzas. Beyond dining, the space plans to host pickleball leagues, wellness sessions, chef-led experiences and seasonal events.
For the food, the menu is worth exploring for its all-day breakfast, croissant sandwiches, crepes and toasties, while the burgers, wraps, poke bowls and Neapolitan pizzas offer more substantial options. While the menu’s individual signature dishes are yet to be widely documented, the combination of casual dining and recreational experiences makes Casa Dunes an interesting addition to Aerocity’s dining landscape.
Address: Bypass Road, Aerocity, Mahipalpur Extension, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, Delhi 110037
Price for two: INR 2,200
Bambi
If you are looking for a burger joint that puts as much thought into its setting as it does its food, BAMBI is worth checking out. Founded by Prateek Gupta, the restaurateur behind Cafe Dali, Vinci and Dumbo Deli, this intimate 12-seater brings a distinctly European sensibility to Delhi’s burger scene. Think warm mood lighting, rich wooden elements and grungy interiors reminiscent of a tucked-away neighbourhood spot in Paris. The concept is deliberately focused: rather than offering an expansive menu, BAMBI sticks to four kinds of burgers, a selection of sides, and ice cream shakes.
The idea is to get the classics right, with an emphasis on good ingredients and familiar flavours. It is designed as a neighbourhood destination for a casual date, an evening with friends or simply when a burger craving strikes. In a city where restaurants often compete to offer the most elaborate menus, Bambi’s appeal lies in its intimacy and its commitment to doing one thing well.
Address: 75, Meherchand Market, New Delhi
Price for two: INR 2,100
UPSIDE
Adding a contemporary edge to Delhi’s Asian dining scene, UPSIDE brings together Japanese influences and wider Southeast Asian flavours in a menu that prioritises bold combinations, thoughtful technique and dishes meant for sharing. Founded by Saurik Singh, Dhananjay Singh, Uday Nayar and Rajesh Bhati, the restaurant has an open kitchen and a robata grill that takes centre stage, offering diners a glimpse of the cooking process.
The menu, helmed by chefs Vikas C.V. and Vikram Khatri, moves from lighter preparations such as sashimi, ceviche and tiradito to dumplings, robata-grilled meats and wok preparations. Begin with the Kanpachi Tiradito, paired with charred avocado and smoky Aji Panca sauce, or the Tuna Sashimi with jalapeño-leek salsa, ponzu gel and beetroot dust. The Edamame Hummus with yukari-wasabi furikake and nori rice crackers is another interesting starter. For mains, the Upside Robata Chicken, served with chilli butter and spicy sesame sauce, and the Miso-Zuke Cod, marinated for 24 hours, are worth ordering. Round off the meal with the Nama Chocolate, which combines dark chocolate crémeux, soy caramel, sake-poached apple and sesame soil.
Complementing the food is an inventive cocktail programme, titled Upside Down, curated by Ani Sharma and organised around flavour profiles rather than conventional spirit categories.
Address: Ground Floor, 39 Basant Lok Market, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi
Price for two: INR 2,500
Nama by Arq
If you enjoy global comfort food with a creative twist, Nama by Arq deserves a spot on your dining list. Located in the Dhan Mill Complex, the restaurant brings together familiar flavours, interesting ingredients and playful interpretations of dishes from across cuisines. Helmed by chefs Neha Lakhani and Ashay Dhopatkar, the menu moves beyond the predictable café-style offerings its earthy, relaxed interiors might suggest. Instead, expect ingredient-led preparations, house-made breads and pastas, inventive small plates and a rather interesting dessert selection.
Start with the Pickled Cucumber Gomae, which pairs well-seasoned cucumbers with a generous pool of peanut satay sauce, or the Nama Macerated Peppers, marinated for a week and served with goat cheese and basil oil. The Stuffed Kashmiri Morels with Jerusalem Artichoke Purée is another standout, as is Mum’s Recess Shrimp Toast, inspired by Chef Dhopatkar’s childhood lunchbox memories. Vegetarians should also try the Ivade Veru Hummus, made with aubergine, podi and curry leaves. However, don’t leave without ordering the Besan Laddoo Ice Cream, which transforms the familiar Indian sweet into a dessert worth returning for. With its relaxed atmosphere, interesting coffee selection and menu that balances comfort with experimentation, Nama works equally well for a leisurely meal or a pit stop after exploring Dhan Mill.
Address: The Dhan Mill, 287, 288, 100 Feet Rd, D-Block, Pocket D, Dr Ambedkar Colony, Chhatarpur, New Delhi, Delhi 110074
Price for two: INR 3,000
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