The capital of India has a plethora of choices for foodies. Here are some luxury dining places where you can enjoy authentic Japanese, Italian, Burmese, Asian and Parsi cuisines

1. Burma Burma

If you are like me, clueless about Burmese cuisine, then Burma Burma is the place to get acquainted with the dishes from the neighbouring country. This chain has five outlets—in Noida, Gurgaon, New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. The specialty here is the tea room with wide range of herbal teas and infusions. The food here is fresh with spices and herbs from Myanmar. We enjoyed some low cal dishes such as the tea leaf salad Mandalay Laphet Thoke, the signature Burma Burma Oh No Khowsuey and ended our meal with the delectable Durian Ice Cream made of the forbidden Asian fruit.

Note: This is a vegetarian restaurant. There are mock meat dishes on the menu.

2. Guppy by ai

Located close to the India Habitat Centre, this restaurant specializes in Japanese cuisine. From the décor to the servings, everything is creative here. Soft music and yum platters, it’s the place to wine and dine at ease with Bae.

From sushi rolls to set lunches, the menu offers a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Some popular dishes are Guppy’s Signature Pork Belly, Miso Soup or Mushroom Suimono, tatakis and sashimis. You also get a taste of tempuras, grills, and Okonomiyaki which are Japanese Pizza Pancakes. Another must-try dish is Steamed Mushroom Bun.

3. SodaBottleOpenerWala

This chain of restaurants inDelhi-NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru is keeping the dying legacy of Irani cafes alive in India. Here, you get authentic Parsi flavours. The Irani café culture has prevailed in Mumbai since the 1950s but for Delhi this restaurant is an introduction.

The erstwhile Irani cafes offered inexpensive food, had eccentric owners and their distinctive menus had dishes such as the stick chai (extremely sweet); bun maska (crusty bread with butter); kheema pao (mince curry with bread) and Parsi cutlets, patties, rolls, fruitcakes, and confectionary. SodaBottleOpenerWala offers these and more.

We liked the traditional Tareli Machhi and Bhendi Bazar Sheekh Paratha (offered in Bhendi Bazar, Bombay). Parsis love Mawa cake and Irani Special Chai. What you would like to try: a plate of eggs, Parsi Choy, bun maska. Bawa peg, Keema Ghotala, Parsi Duck Masala Roast, Rice with Curry.

USP: You can get the leftover food packed. The cafés have a bakery where you get fresh cookies and cakes.

4. Artusi Ristorante

This award-winning restaurant offers delicacies from Emilia Romagna, Italy, as the owner Oscar Balcon is a native. Comprising Emilia and Romagna, this is the Northeast part of Italy with Bologna as the capital. It is home to the oldest university in the world–University of Bologna. With 11 UNESCO heritage sites, this region is known for agriculture and automobile production. Companies such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani, De Tomaso and Ducati are housed here.

What makes the dishes authentic is not just the recipes handed down through generations, but the ingredients which come from the region. So make sure your wallet is full when you land here. We liked the delectable Tortino di Porri which is actually a pie with fresh and green rocket leaves and cherry tomatoes. Another must-try is the handmade spaghetti. Mingled with the meat, this Cacio e Pepe is delicious. Another delicacy is Branzino, baked European Sea Bass. Pollo ai Funghi or chicken in white wine was a delight. We ended our meal with Cioccolato Nero e Scorza di Arancia or dark chocolate and fresh Panna Cotta.

5. Kiara: The Soul Kitchen

A passion project started by two enthusiastic siblings—Manav and Madhav Windlass—Kiara’s mantra has been ‘purity, mindfulness and innovation’. This encompasses farm fresh produce, locally sourced ingredients with nutritional value. Inspired by Asian flavours, this is a vegetarian restaurant which has gluten-free dishes.

Dishes we liked: Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Galette or Teppan Grilled Cauliflower Rolls with Pumpkin Curry, Bao Bhaji. All dishes are decorated with freshly grown edible flowers.

Which restaurant would you like to dine out in?