Dining | The 10 best restaurants in India that made their debut in 2017

India's culinary scene is thriving, with diners frequently making a beeline to discover and taste new cuisines. There was something for everyone in 2017, whether for fine dine connoisseur, the tipple lover or just a fast food fanatic. In the true spirit of year-enders, we at AD have put together a list of the 10 best restaurants that debuted in India. Mumbai clearly seems to be the diner's paradise, with 7 of the restaurants on our list coming from the city that never sleeps.

Theory, Mumbai

The drinking and dining spot at Mumbai's Lower Parel, designed by the Harvard-trained architect Sameep Padora, is dark, mysterious and sensual, yet liberated from the excesses of ostentatious embellishment. The way the space is laid out enables a porosity between the bar and dining programmes, with both feeding off the energies of the other.

什么we loved: The bar, which is a mammoth matte block of textured black carbon.

Arth, Mumbai

1/ 4

The 5,000-square-feet space at Mumbai's Khar, spread over two floors, is inviting and warm and reflects the culinary philosophy of blending traditional techniques with innovation. Despite it being her first time designing a restaurant, Khan showed us why she's at the top of her game. The palette, done up in classic blue, beige and flashes of gold, enhances the dining experience and in the process, won us over.

什么we loved: The diamond-shaped Rex Diamond installation.

Nueva, New Delhi

1/ 4

With Virat Kohli at the helm, this eatery was sure to hit it out of the ballpark. The celebrity quotient aside, the restaurant—located at Delhi's Sangam Courtyard—offers a sophisticated and chic dining environment, with each space showcasing a unique character. The South American fare is also a winner.

我们喜欢:餐厅提供fine dining, high tea, and tapas under one roof.

Storytellers' Bar, Pondicherry

1/ 4

This lounge bar at Hidesign property The Promenade in Pondicherry is a delightful mix of the city's French Colonial tropical vibe with traces of minimalist asceticism, paying homage to Pondicherry's spiritual roots. Serving world cuisine with ingredients sourced locally and seasonally from a community of producers, fishermen and farmers, the Storytellers' Bar is the perfect place for travellers to sample the local flavours of Pondicherry.

什么we loved: The interactive Wall of Stories.

Jamjar Diner, Mumbai

1/ 6

The 1,500-square-foot Jamjar Diner at Mumbai's Bandra looks straight out of a Wes Anderson film set. The bright pop of colour—from aqua to millennial pink, the old-school robust carpentry, art-deco references and eclectic details give major throwback vibes made us take notice. The food doesn't disappoint either.

什么we loved: The classic rocket jukebox

Basanti & Co, Mumbai

1/ 7

Designed by Minnie Bhatt, Basanti & Co is a vibrant, eclectic diner that pops out with its India contemporary appeal. Located in Mumbai's Versova, the pop of bright colours that welcome you isn't overwhelming, but soothing. The casual vibe the place exudes and the Awadhi cuisine it serves are major plus points.

什么we loved: Fun design elements and the use of typography

O Pedro, Mumbai

1/ 5

O Pedro, a Goan bar and restaurant, taps into our collective nostalgia for Goa by becoming a self-sustaining eat-and-chill destination right in the heart of Mumbai at Bandra Kurla Complex. The 2,500-square-foot space is crafted as an immersive experience for patrons; it is teeming with foliage (real creepers), old lamps and curios right out of a Goan villa. The cane-backed chairs were also a highlight.

什么we loved: The Veal Tongue ‘Prosciutto'—house cured, served with garlic mustard aioli, pickled tendli, and onion salsa.

The Quarter, Mumbai

1/ 4

‘The Quarter' transforms Mumbai's Royal Opera House into the country's predominant culture and entertainment enclave. ‘Live,' an art deco-style jazz bar, has an impressive line-up of live jazz performances. The four sectionals ensure patrons enjoy a wholesome experience.

什么we loved: The in-house walled vertical garden at ‘Dine'.

Izaya, Mumbai

1/ 6

Mumbai-based chef Farrokh Khambata has given the city's first Robata Thai experience at Izaya. Located within the NCPA complex, the restaurant serves up an eclectic line-up of dishes that go way beyond classic Thai curries and papaya salads.

什么we loved: The larger-than-life Robata Grill.

Taftoon, Mumbai

1/ 3

Taftoon, located in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex, takes us on another overland journey, this time, through the ancient Grand Trunk Road: all the way from Afghanistan, through Pakistan, North India, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bangladesh. Colours of natural silk with layers of textures define the overall look and a hint of cyan blue invigorates the neutral colour palette. At the heart of Taftoon lies the glass-encased kitchen—a culinary theatre that enhances the spectacle of creating food.

什么we loved: The Silk Route—a heady, lip-smacking concoction of whiskey, apricot brandy, fresh Indian orange, cucumber juice, cilantro, and sour mix—was a clear favourite.