The Best Fine Dine Restaurants in India

From J&K to Kanyakumari, India is a soulful journey of traditional and contemporary cuisines, sculptural motifs and noted panoramic beauty. A queen of diversity, India, embodies itself through a series of philology while oscillating between palm-fringed coastlines to vast deserts to deep snow up north. The culinary inspiration of India is ‘largely’ dependent on climatic conditions and the traditional and migrational influences of the region. Fine dining in India is an impeccable amalgam of traditional and continental dishes, and slice by slice, some of the best Indian restaurants accouche cookeries to your plate in their ‘most authentic’ form. My gastronomy exploration across India succoured in unveiling restaurants that remit culinary authenticity alongside refined ambience and extraordinary service. Here’s a rundown of the best fine dine restaurants in India that I would visit again, any time of the year.

Tiqri, Taj Santacruz, Mumbai

Restaurant Tiqri is a true epitome of grace! Featuring a larger than life “Tree of Life,” built using the Rajasthani art form of tiqri, this Taj restaurant welcomes you to a sophisticated ambience and a lavish menu starring an extensive assortment of Indian and continental cuisines.

Price for two: INR 10,000 or $160 onwards

San Qi, Four Seasons

San Qi is a 2-storied Four Seasons on-site restaurant in Mumbai, best known as an Asian speciality eatery featuring sushi bars and PAN Asian cuisine. They perfect the Asian brunch on all days of the week. Glistening in natural light, San-Qi also stars a delicious champagne brunch every weekend. From Woks to tandoor and from Sushi bars to Thai, San Qi’s is sheer indulgence!

Price for two: INR 7500 or $100 onwards (including alcohol)

Nawab Saheb, Renaissance, Mumbai

Nawab Saheb, located inside Renaissance, Mumbai, is an Indian restaurant where you can treat your tastebuds to some very authentic and traditional Indian cuisine. Steeped in grandeur, this fine-dine restaurant allows you to relish Indian specialities and distinctive delicacies, once celebrated, in India’s royal kitchens. In the evenings, Gazals and traditional music alike uplift the ambience and creates a mythical background. Nawab Saheb is home to various food festivals and never fails to surprise its guests with its exquisite range of kebabs and curries.

Price for two: INR 7500 or $100 onwards (Including wine)

Hemant Oberoi Restaurant, BKC

Hemant Oberoi, BKC in Mumbai, is a signature restaurant set up by the former master chef of Taj Hotels. Chef Hemant Oberoi is famous to have set up many Taj hotels across the globe, and at his restaurant in BKC, you can practically get a taste of all his culinary extentions. At HO BKC, food becomes art as Chef Hemant Oberoi takes the fine-dining culture to unmatched heights. Be it Japanese, Peruvian, Mediterranean or Sichuan cuisine, this signature outpost in Mumbai will elevate your dining experience. Each dish comes with a story, and the waitstaff often provides insight on exquisite ingredients, flavours and presentation. Don’t be surprised if you randomly run into Bacchans or celebrities alike.

Price for two: INR 7500 or $100 onwards (Including beverages)

Emperor’s Court, Renaissance, Mumbai

Emperor’s Court is a lake view restaurant of Renaissance in Mumbai facing the serene blue Powai Lake. This Asian restaurant celebrates delectable Sichuan and Cantonese courses and dishes out a limited menu promising an extensive assortment of flavours. The polished décor of this fine-dining restaurant spells comfort promptly. Apart from the regular menu, they also have a set menu and a separate bar menu. The essence of the ingredients parades freshness all the way, and among desserts, the fried ice cream is a treat with a perfect texture.

Price for two: INR 5000 or $75 onwards

Theory, Kamala Mills, Mumbai

THEORY in South Mumbai is a luxurious yet humble restaurant delivering the much loved small and big plate culture. And they let you wash down these delicious meals with a selection of delicious herbed cocktails. While big plates have always been the traditional way of dining, small plates became popular in the western world post-2000. At restaurant THEORY, you may taste both the small-courses, as well as a more formal meal.

Price for two: INR 5000 or $75 onwards

Lake View Cafe, Mumbai

Thriving with a stunning display of Powai Lake, Renaissance Mumbai’s Lake View Cafe stars bounteous buffets, salad bars, à la carte menus, live stations and tempting dessert counters. This lake view restaurant featuring sophisticated interiors and elegant private dining is perfect for small/big gatherings and can turn any event into a special occasion.

Price for two: INR 3000 or $50 onwards

Playboy Club Mumbai

Playboy Club in Mumbai is an invite-only nightclub that offers excellent dining opportunities with waitstaff dressed as bunnies. This South Mumbai club has some of the best finger foods and cocktails on display. Only open to those invited, Playboy is not just a fancy club but is also a celebrated fine dining restaurant with an intriguing ambience.

Price for two: INR 7500 or $100 onwards

Oak Lounge, Marriott Suites, Pune

Oak Lounge, within Marriott Suites premises, is a restaurant, bar and nightclub designed for elites. It’s considered one of the best in Pune and Koregaon Park to unwind. With sumptuous interiors slinking into an implicit canyon of lights, Oak lounge welcomes you to a select, collection of imported spirits, finger food and a distinguished range of signature Cigars and Cognacs. In Pune, this is the nightspot to reverberate back to life.

Price for two: INR 6000 or $80 onwards

Salsa Restaurant, Corinthians, Pune

The Corinthians in Pune sprawls across a well-manicured 25-acre land, and amongst its multi-cuisine restaurants is Salsa, an elegant restaurant. Marked by a set of musician murals, Salsa emancipates a retro and jazz vibe and serves excellent sizzlers, salads, Italian delicacies and desserts.