Get ready for a foodie spree! In September and October, India is packed with food festivals that will keep your taste buds busy. Be it the bustle of Delhi’s streets or the vibrant scenes of Bengaluru, each festival is a representation of our rich foodie culture. Whether you’re a food fanatic or a culture enthusiast looking for traditional cuisine, these events are a feast for all the senses. Join us as we delve into the best food festivals of the season, where the food is delicious and secret culinary treasures abound.
These are some food festivals you can't miss in September and October 2024
Delhi-National Capital Region Centre
Lakhnawi Dastarkhwan returns to the Crowne Plaza in New Delhi
Indulge in a delicious meal in true Nawabi style as Crowne Plaza New Delhi brings back its Lakhnawi Dastarkhwan food festival at Infinity. Themed ‘Mezban Kadardan Khansam’, the festival invites its guests to immerse themselves in the hospitality and culinary excellence of the Nawabi of Lucknow. Expect an atmosphere specially created to transport you to the city’s highlights such as Hazratganj Chowk, Qaisar Bagh Palace and Aminabad Food Street. And what more? Relish Lucknow’s most treasured dishes such as Galauti Kebabs, Murgh Awadhi Qorma, Gosht Nalli Qorma, Dal Gomti, Aloo Bukhara Kofta which will be complemented by a variety of breads such as Mughlai Parantha, Sheermal, Warqi Parantha and Ulta Tawa Parantha.
Highlights also include street food like Tokri Chaat, Aloo Tikki Pani Ke Batashe along with the quintessential Awadhi Biryani with Burani Raita, Kathal Nehari, Mahi Nawabi Tikka, Peshawari Paneer, Murgh Badam Shorba, Dingri Dolma and Gulab Mastani Sherbat. Conclude your meal on a deliciously sweet note with traditional sweets like Shahi Tukda, Badnam Kulfi, Malai Gilauri and Jalebis.
When: September 6-15, 2024
Biryani Festival Returns to Gulati Restaurant
Gulati Restaurant, best known for its legendary culinary outlet on Pandara Road, is about to bring back its Biryani Festival with many new additions. At least 11 signature Dum Biryanis are expected across both outlets, including popular options like Butter Chicken Biryani, Tawa Chicken Biryani, Paneer 65 Biryani with Double Tadka, Lamb Biryani and Kathal Biryani, to name a few. Each biryani is served with the signature ‘Mirch Ka Salan’ and the flavoursome ‘Burani Raita’ made with roasted garlic cloves, enhancing the experience of these aromatic delights. The authentic Hyderabadi Dum Pukht Biryanis are prepared using the traditional Dum Pukht method, where the biryani pot is sealed with wheat flour dough and slow-cooked to perfection, allowing the rich Hyderabadi spices to permeate every grain.
When: September 4-22, 2024
Indulge in ramen delights at Delhi Heights Café
This September, Cafe Delhi Heights, Ikigai by Cafe Delhi Heights, and Neighbourly by Cafe Delhi Heights are launching a ramen festival. The festival will showcase a variety of ramen dishes, each prepared with a choice of miso or sesame broth. From the hearty Silken Tofu Ramen Bowl, packed with ramen noodles, shitake mushrooms, edamame beans, sprouts, bok choy, and silken tofu, to the hearty Katsu Chicken Ramen Bowl, featuring a rich soy sauce and miso broth with toppings like bok choy, soft-boiled egg, shitake mushrooms, nori, and scallions. Seafood lovers can indulge in the Shrimp Tempura Ramen Bowl, topped with crispy shrimp tempura, nori, soft-boiled egg, green onions, and a drizzle of sesame oil sauce.
The Chasu Pork Ramen Bowl offers a taste of Japan with its melt-in-your-mouth slow-braised pork belly, while the Tenderloin Ramen Bowl presents a non-traditional yet flavoursome twist with succulent pork tenderloin. For those looking for bold flavours, the Lamb Meatball Ramen Bowl is a must-try, with crispy nori, soft-boiled egg, bok choy and green onions. The Goma Dare Ramen Bowl, with its rich and creamy seafood medley, rounds out this diverse menu, ensuring there is something for every palate. The Ramen Festival at Cafe Delhi Heights Group promises to be a feast for the senses, inviting food lovers to dive into the comforting and complex flavours of these exquisite ramen bowls.
When: September 1-20, 2024
Lodhi presents Thai alchemy at Perbacco
Lodhi New Delhi proudly presents Thai Alchemy, a three-day culinary event celebrating the rich heritage of Thai cuisine. Thai Alchemy promises a gastronomic adventure with a carefully curated menu, starting with appetizers, such as Thod Mun Hau Plee Khao Phod, a delicate red curry cake made with banana flower and American corn, or the fragrant chive dumplings, Kuy-Chay, drizzled with garlic oil. Chef Boro’s selection of aromatic soups includes Tom Yum Gai, a spicy and tangy chicken broth infused with exotic herbs, and Tom Kha Phak, a comforting coconut cream soup with mushrooms and tofu. Guests can indulge in the fresh and vibrant salads – the zesty Som Tam Mamuang offers bursts of flavour, followed by the main courses, which include a delicious array of curries and stir-fry dishes. From the Southern-style soft shell crab curry, Pu Nim Kæng Lhuaeng, to the rich and hearty Massaman curry with tender lamb, each dish showcases the perfect harmony of Thai spices and fresh ingredients. The dining experience culminates with the traditional Thai dessert, Tub Tim Grob, a classic and refreshing dessert made from coconut and ruby red water chestnut, cooked with pandan leaves, offering a sweet ending to a vibrant feast. This unique fusion of cultures and cuisines at Perbacco promises a dining experience that will be memorable and truly special.
When: September 6 – September 8, 2024
Bombay:
Enjoy a pan-Asian culinary adventure at Kembara
Kembara, BKC’s Pan-Asian restaurant, invites you to indulge in a delicious brunch. Kembara’s Sunday brunch menu will feature a mouthwatering selection of appetizers, sampler salads, main dishes, and desserts. Some of the standout dishes include the comforting Hot and Sour Soup with Chinese Wine (V), the crispy and savory Crystal Vegetable Dumplings (V), and the succulent Chicken and Prawn Bao with Suimai Wild Mushroom. Discover a symphony of flavors with their salad samplers, tangy Sweet and Sour Shredded Potatoes, bold numbing Sichuan Chicken, and aromatic Crispy Sea Bass with Thai Herbs. Try the crispy and delicious Kembara Shrimp Tempura Roll – a harmonious combination of crispy tempura and succulent shrimp in every bite! For those looking for a lighter option, the Spicy and Sour Shredded Potato Salad (V) and Chengdu Potato, Scallion and Onion Salad (V) are sure to satisfy your palate. To complete the experience, the iconic Kung Pao Chicken, Thai-Style Fried Rice and refreshing Lemongrass Cheesecake (a creamy and delicious dessert) will be available to delight the taste buds.
To complement the exquisite food, Kembara will also offer a variety of refreshing cocktails. Choose from the classic Kembara Sling, a vibrant blend of gin, cherry liqueur and citrus, topped with soda and garnished with pineapple and cherry. The Espresso Martini, a bold blend of espresso, vodka and coffee liqueur, offers a smooth, caffeinated kick, or the sophisticated Campari Highball, a blend of Campari and sparkling water with a hint of citrus, delivering a refreshing, sweet-tart taste.
When: Every Sunday
Bangalore
Southern Spice Food Festival Comes to Indian Restaurant Salt
Indulge in the rich flavours of South India at the Southern Spice Food Festival at Salt Indian Restaurant. The specially curated menu for this festival, hosted by Chef CV Chandran, includes a variety of dishes that are sure to delight your taste buds. Start your culinary journey with the crispy and flavoursome Urgai Podi Idlies, followed by the tender and spicy Vazhapoo Cutlet. For seafood lovers, the Meen Polichathu and the subtly spiced Meen Moilee are a must-try. Meat enthusiasts will savour the intense flavours of the Chicken Miriyalu, while those with a sweet tooth can end their meal on a high note with our signature desserts, Elaneer Payasam and Kasi Halwa. For the main course, indulge in hearty curries like Makka Cholam Keerai Masial and Pachakari Ishtew. Seafood lovers can also try the Boat Man's Fish Curry and the luxurious Lobster Neerulli. And for those looking for a flavourful rice dish, the Ambur Mutton Biryani is a must-try. Lastly, satisfy your sweet tooth with the creamy Elaneer Payasam and the delicious Khubani Ka Meetha.
When: UB City Mall (September 5-15) and Kammanahalli (September 19-29)
Onam Celebrations:
Celebrate the spirit of Onam at Dakshin, Sheraton New Delhi
Dakshin, Sheraton’s South Indian restaurant, is all set to deliver the true essence of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage through a special Onam Sadhya – a traditional vegetarian feast. The meticulously crafted menu includes a variety of classic dishes such as Avial, Pyaru Thovaran, Erusser, Kootu Curry and Kalan among others, prepared under the expert guidance of our skilled chefs who bring the authentic flavours of Kerala right to your plate. Guests can expect a warm and festive atmosphere, complete with traditional music, floral decorations and a chance to immerse themselves in the joyous celebrations of this harvest festival.
When: September 6 – September 15, 2024
Enjoy Onam banquet at Hilton Bangalore Embassy Golflinks
Hilton Bangalore Embassy Golflinks invites you and your loved ones to welcome Mahabali with a grand Sadhya. Savour timeless classics like the mouthwatering Neyyappam, wholesome Avial, Kootu Curry, Thoran, Olan, Kalan, Pachadi, Inji Puli and Erissery, each crafted with a perfect balance of spices to awaken your senses and indulge in the wholesome goodness of Parippu, Matta Rice and the mouthwatering flavours of Sambar and Rasam, all served on the traditional banana leaf. Conclude your Sadhya on a sweet note with desserts like Paal Payasam.
When: September 15
Enjoy authentic sadya at Quattro, The Leela Bhartiya City
Leela Bhartiya City is all set to commemorate the vibrant festival of Onam with a special Onam Sadya feast at its restaurant, Quattro on 14th September 2024. Highlights of the menu include Sharkara Varatti (jaggery-coated plantain chips), Kumbalanga Pachadi (ash gourd and coconut in a mustard-laced gravy), Beetroot Pachadi (a brilliant combination of sweet beetroot, coconut, mustard and homemade yoghurt), Vendakaa Theeyal (Kerala-style lady’s finger curry cooked in roasted coconut paste) and Pal Ada Payasam (steamed and square-cut rice flour sheets cooked in coconut milk and sugar). The menu also includes traditional dishes like Vazhakka Upperi, Kerala Pappadam, Rasakadali Pazham, Naranga Achar, Pulli Inji, Vellarikka Kichadi, Kondattam, Pineapple Puliserry, Valli Payar Thoran, Kootu Curry, Kaalan, Olan, Avial, Chenma Rice, Nei Parippu, Varutharacha Sambhar, Sambharam and Parippu Pradhaman. The Onam Sadya at Quattro is more than just a meal; It is a celebration of love, sharing and togetherness – the very essence of Onam.
When: September 14, 2024