Local Eats Edit: New Restaurant Launches, Outlets and Menus This Week!

For this week's Local Eats Edit, we bring you the finest restaurants!  India's culinary scene is constantly evolving — and 2025 is already shaping up to be a flavourful year. Whether you’re in the mood for fine dining, street-style dishes, or just a perfect cup of coffee, here’s a look at the newest spots in town that everyone’s talking about.

 Hunaaan’s Midnight Dragon Night in Bengaluru

Hunaaan marks New Year’s Eve with Midnight Dragon Night, centring the evening around pan-Asian flavours and a composed celebratory setting. The focus remains on a curated menu that moves from light starters like tempura and maki to heartier dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken and Chicken Mie Goreng. Designed for shared dining and long conversations, the experience leans towards relaxed indulgence rather than high-decibel revelry.

The Orchid Hotel Pune’s Poolside New Year’s Eve Affair

The Orchid Hotel Pune brings the year to a close with a poolside New Year’s Eve gathering set under open skies. The event unfolds in a controlled, structured format with music-led energy and defined seating, allowing guests to pace the evening comfortably. A Bollywood DJ anchors the night, creating a familiar festive rhythm without overwhelming the setting. The focus remains on atmosphere, timing, and social ease as the countdown approaches midnight.

Thank God It’s Friday (TGIF) Returns to India

TGIF re-enters the Indian dining landscape with a refreshed identity that emphasises casual dining and bar-driven social spaces. The relaunch in North India is being led by Feastary Hospitality in collaboration with USR Hospitality, with initial locations across Delhi NCR and Lucknow. The approach aims to adapt TGIF’s global legacy to contemporary Indian dining habits. It reflects the continued demand for experiential, community-focused food spaces in urban centres.

Boardwalk by Flamboyanté’s Beachside New Year’s Eve

Boardwalk by Flamboyanté offers a coastal alternative to conventional New Year’s Eve celebrations with a beachfront gathering by the sea. Scheduled for December 31, 2025, the evening blends music, a curated bar menu, and open-air dining. The sound of waves and unobstructed skies set the tone for a slower, more grounded transition into the new year. It caters to those seeking atmosphere over spectacle.

Drop Dead Sexy Opens in Assagao

Drop Dead Sexy introduces itself as an immersive art bar where the space actively engages with the guest. Designed by Siddharth Kerkar, the interiors feature interactive installations, mechanical elements, and visual cues that blur the line between observer and artwork. Works by Subodh Kerkar add an anchoring layer of contemporary Indian art. The experience prioritises sensory engagement and spatial storytelling over conventional bar aesthetics.

Istorea By The Sea Becomes Goa's New Sunset Spot

Istorea By The Sea positions itself as a coastal dining and culture space shaped largely by its natural surroundings. The design relies on minimal materials, open layouts, and sunset-facing views that change character throughout the day. Music, food, and cocktails are presented as extensions of the setting rather than focal points. It has quickly become associated with Goa’s evolving sundowner culture.

Mag St. in the ‘Baug, Alibaug

Mag St. returns to Alibaug with a seasonal pop-up running from December 20, 2025, to January 4, 2026. The temporary setup brings together familiar offerings from the brand alongside selections from its sister ventures. Designed to serve both holiday travellers and locals, the pop-up aligns with Alibaug’s peak festive season rhythm. It reflects the growing popularity of limited-time culinary formats in leisure destinations.

KOJAK Enters Juhu's Nightlife Scene 

KOJAK enters Juhu’s nightlife scene as a narrative-led cocktail bar built around mystery and storytelling. Inspired by a fictional character and his discovered notebook, the space uses layered design and subtle cues to guide the guest experience. The cocktail menu mirrors this concept, with drinks structured as chapters rather than standalone creations. It appeals to patrons seeking immersive, idea-driven nightlife experiences.

Entisi Chocolatier at Jio World Drive, Mumbai

Entisi’s newest boutique at Jio World Drive introduces interactive elements alongside its established chocolate offerings. Freshly baked cookies, a chocolate raclette experience, and DIY dragee dispensers expand the brand’s sensory engagement. The open layout allows guests to observe baking and chocolate preparation in real time. The space blends artisanal tradition with participatory design.

Hello Mallows Reimagines Marshmallows

Hello Mallows reimagines marshmallows using vegetarian, gelatine-free recipes and single-origin chocolate coatings. The range includes classic chocolate-coated marshmallows and caramel-filled variations with contrasting textures. Flavour combinations balance sweetness with salt and richness. The brand reflects a broader trend of reinventing nostalgic treats with modern ingredient choices.

Kashmiri Pandit Cuisine at The Westin Resort & Spa Himalayas

Chef Rahul Wali brings Kashmiri Pandit culinary traditions to the spotlight through a focused, technique-driven menu. The cuisine avoids onion and garlic, relying instead on slow cooking and a restrained spice palette. Dishes are structured around core preparations like Rogan Josh, Yakhni, and Qaliya. The menu offers insight into a lesser-represented regional food philosophy.

Christmas Specials at Parsi Dairy Farm

Parsi Dairy Farm introduces a limited festive range that leans into winter comfort and seasonal flavours. Offerings include a customisable hot chocolate station and classic chocolate fudges with festive additions. The in-store décor complements the seasonal menu without altering the brand’s familiar identity. It continues the dairy’s long-standing association with celebratory desserts.

LOCO LANE Celebrates New Year and Christmas With a Bang

LOCO LANE positions itself as a social bar built around interactive games and shared experiences. Bowling lanes, darts, shuffleboard, and axe throwing act as conversation starters rather than competitive focal points. The format suits group celebrations such as office parties and family gatherings. It reflects Bengaluru’s growing appetite for hybrid entertainment-dining spaces.

Twinings India’s New Packaging

Twinings introduces refreshed packaging in India as part of its evolving global identity. The redesign focuses on clarity, origin storytelling, and easier navigation across the range. The presence of Stephen Twining at the launch underscores the brand’s historical continuity. The update balances heritage with contemporary consumer expectations.

Festive Season at Khyber

Khyber continues to serve as a cultural and culinary landmark during Mumbai’s festive season. Its interiors, adorned with original artworks and historic design elements, remain central to the dining experience. Celebrations here focus on tradition, familiarity, and consistency. For many, festive meals at Khyber are rooted in routine rather than novelty.

White New Year’s Eve at JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru

JW Marriott Bengaluru’s White New Year’s Eve marks its 13th year as a city staple. Celebrations span multiple venues, offering guests varied formats from open-air lawns to quieter banquet dinners. Music, fashion, and curated menus shape the evening’s structure. The approach allows guests to choose between high-energy and family-friendly experiences.

Festive Dining at Kai – Bar & Kitchen, Bengaluru

Kai – Bar & Kitchen presents a seasonal menu available through the holiday period, framed by panoramic city views. The menu moves from light starters to rich mains, concluding with classic festive desserts. The space functions fluidly as both bar and restaurant. Its festive offering emphasises balance rather than excess.

The Spirit of the Season at Foo

Foo approaches the festive season with limited-edition cocktails and a dessert-led finish. Seasonal flavours and visual décor create a consistent holiday atmosphere across locations. The celebrations extend into the New Year with brunch-focused experiences. The format blends familiarity with seasonal variation across cities.