It’s the month of love—not that anyone is feeling it—but for the lucky few who are, the new restaurants in India provide the perfect setting for a Valentine’s date. Mumbai gets spiffy cocktail bars and a Hong Kong-style tea house; Goa has a breezy new beach restaurant; Delhi has a chic cafe by couturier Varun Bahl and a culinary gathering of creatives; Jaipur has a new fine dining spot at a royal address; Bengaluru gets a seasonal-focused restobar.

Mumbai

Housed in a century-old textile mill in Lower Parel, this new cocktail bar stands out for its industrial chic decor, soaring ceilings and knick-knacks such as life-size mirrors and vases sourced from the corners of Rajasthan and Puducherry. With plenty of natural sunlight by day, come evening, the space transforms into a cosy chalet with a swish metallic bar taking centrestage. The menu is steered by chef Amit Dhoundiyal, featuring Japanese cooking techniques such as French onion tempura, a spin on the classic French onion soup, gochujang tartare buns and kabocha chilli prawns. The tipples are inventive with drinks like milk-clarified whisky and mezcal cocktails.

Address: Mathuradas Mill Compound, 126, SJ Marg, Lower Parel. Tel: 09833443430

Fashioned along the lines of classic Hong Kong-style tea houses, this new spot is set in a storied 100-year-old building in Kala Ghoda. You can choose from an extensive list of over 40 varieties of flavour-packed dim sums with signatures such as scallop and beet dumplings in a buttery broth, soupy xiao long baos, spicy potato noodles, soft shell crab and a rich confit egg fried rice among others. The cosy space is sectioned into a dining room that doubles as a listening room (perfect for audiophiles), a speakeasy-style private bar and an al fresco garden area. Pair your meal with Asian-inspired cocktails.

Address: 3rd floor, building 30, K Dubash Marg, Kala Ghoda, Fort. Tel: 09867711017

The hotel chain’s signature Indian restaurant has just set foot in Mumbai. Taking inspiration from the vivid landscapes and culinary traditions of North India, the restaurant makes for a sensory dining experience paired with age-old cooking techniques, such as slow cooking (dum), hot oil tempering (baghar) and smoking (dhungar) using long-preserved recipes. Take your pick from dishes like the signature Loya ki chaat, dal jhaakiya, bhangjeera murg paired with flaky parathas, doodh jalebi and Benarasi bread pudding. The cocktail program is inspired by the five rivers running across Northern India and aptly named ‘Paanch’ where you can sip on drinks like a Himalayan mule or masala whisky. The Mumbai outpost even has an extended verandah to make the most of the sumptuous setting.

Address: Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai, Apollo Bandar, Colaba. Tel: 022 69828000

Having recently undergone a transformation, KMC is now open as a cosy bar and European-style bistro complete with tall French windows and vintage lamps, along with a menu driven by chef Niyati Rao’s personal favourites. Nosh on dishes such as the signature mushroom and spinach lasagna, eggplant moju with turmeric ghee rice, a flavourful seafood pasta and classic tiramisu. The cocktail program is a focal point with drinks like truffle negroni and pear cinnamon sour.

Address: Kitab Mahal, 1st Floor, Shop No.2, Azad Maidan, Fort.Tel: 09987653397

What started as a modest canteen back in 1967 serving throngs of mill workers is now a contemporary restaurant tucked away in a corner of Worli. At the helm is chef Vikram Shenoy, belong to the third generation of the family, whose grandfather first set up Shenoy’s Canteen. Now, he is taking his family legacy forward with a revamped avatar offering diners authentic flavours of the GSB (Goud Saraswat Brahmin) community and the Konkan region. Sample classic Konkan thalis and GSB dishes with a spin such as gojju chicken on Malabari discs, Managalorean sukkha chicken popcorn, raja phanna upkari, chicken tikka sev puri and stuffed pomfret fry.

Address: Suite 12, Ground Floor, Haines Municipal Industrial Estate, Vyankatesh Shenoy Chowk, Gandhi Nagar, Worli. Tel: 08291791716

The city has its first Läderach Cafe housed inside the plush Jio World Plaza. The luxury Swiss chocolatier in partnership with the DS Group boasts of an expansive store and now offers a compact cafe menu listing nibbles, hot chocolate and artful pastries. Choose from a vegan hot chocolate, avocado toast, pesto chicken croissant and desserts like coconut and lime cheesecake.

Address: Level 2, Jio World Plaza, G Block Road, G Block BKC, Bandra Kurla Complex. Tel: 09266727468

Having started as a delivery kitchen in Colaba a few years ago by chef Rehan Mehta, East 7th is now a full-fledged outpost in the bustling suburb of Bandra, inspired by old-school Brooklyn pizzerias. Stop by for pizzas that you can pair with an assortment of dips and drizzles, indulgent cheeseburgers featuring milk burger buns, calzones and classic cubano sandwiches. They also have a compact pudding menu to round off your meal.

Address: Pooja Apartments, Ground Floor, Chinchpokli Road, Off Hill Road, Santosh Nagar, Bandra West. Tel: 09920846251

This multi-cuisine bistro is an apt pit stop for a healthy fix, ranging from all-day breakfast and Asian bowls to sushi and comforting home-style fare. The live kitchen lets you watch all the action while you squeeze in some grocery shopping.

Address: Food Square India, Linking Road, Santacruz West

The popular Spanish restaurant has a limited-edition black winter truffle or la trufa negra menu, showcasing prized truffles sourced from across Spain and Italy. The compact menu packs in a punch with dishes such as indulgent truffle chicken wings, honey ricotta with truffle honey and dry-aged duck with black winter truffles. For a sweet finish, try a twist on the classic black forest speckled with gold dust.

Available till the end of February. Address: Fatima Villa, 29th Road, Pali Hill, Bandra West. Tel: 09324404335

The hotel’s charming all-day restaurant has just added a leisurely Sunday brunch to its offerings. Savour a gourmet spread of global flavours from Indian, Asian and continental favourites. Think, bite-sized portions of antipasti, salads and a generous dessert spread at the living room-style bar, along with hearty mains like pastas and aromatic biryani, all with glasses of bubbly for an indulgent afternoon.

Address: 1/136, Dr Elijah Moses Road, Gandhi Nagar, Upper Worli. Tel: 022 69828000

Karan Johar’s European-forward restaurant is completing two years and, to mark the occasion has launched a new menu helmed by chef Suvir Saran. Nosh on fare such as a pillowy strawberry gnudi, classic seafood paella, truffled capellini and roasted cauliflower steak, along with bold winter cocktails. End on a sweet note with the burnt Basque cheesecake.

Address: Garden Chalet, 4/6, Mandlik Road, near Regal Cinema, Apollo Bandar, Colaba. Tel: 07031483333