Hyderabad’s evolving culinary landscape has welcomed a new destination celebrating the flavours and traditions of Northeast India with the launch of Aakhol – An Assamese Restaurant in Kokapet. The restaurant brings an authentic home-style Assamese dining experience to the city, showcasing the simplicity, warmth, and rich culinary heritage of Assam.

Founded by Dr. Alpaxee Kashyap and her husband Akhil, Aakhol is inspired by a family legacy deeply connected with food and hospitality. Dr. Alpaxee’s maternal grandfather established Laxmi Cabin in Guwahati’s Fancy Bazar in 1942, one of the city’s oldest and most loved sweet shops, known for its iconic samosas. Continuing the family’s passion for hospitality, her parents later founded Aarian Woods, one of Guwahati’s pioneering boutique resorts.

After moving to Hyderabad in 2019, Dr. Alpaxee found herself missing the familiar flavours and comfort of Assamese home cooking. Unable to find authentic Assamese cuisine in the city, she started Aakhol in 2025 as a small home kitchen offering pre-order meals. The concept quickly gained popularity among the Assamese community and food enthusiasts in Hyderabad, leading to the opening of the full-fledged restaurant.

Speaking about the journey, Dr. Alpaxee Kashyap, Founder, Aakhol, said:

"When I moved to Hyderabad, I realised I missed more than just the food—I missed the feeling of home. Aakhol is our way of sharing that feeling with the city while giving fellow Assamese a place they can call their own. We hope every guest leaves with a deeper appreciation of Assam's cuisine, culture and hospitality."

Staying true to its roots, Aakhol does not modify its recipes to suit local preferences. Instead, the restaurant celebrates the authentic character of Assamese cuisine, where fresh ingredients, subtle spices, and traditional cooking techniques create balanced and flavourful dishes.

The menu features signature Assamese preparations including Bamboo Shoot Fish, traditional pork and chicken dishes, Assamese vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis, dali bota, fish chutney, sesame chutney, and the famous bhoot jolokia achaar for guests seeking a spicy experience. Key ingredients such as bamboo shoots, xoru aloo, and kaji nemu, Assam’s iconic citrus fruit, are sourced directly from Guwahati to preserve authenticity.

The culinary journey extends to desserts with traditional favourites such as White Payokh, Black Payokh, and Pati-Sapta Pitha, reflecting the cuisine’s philosophy of simplicity and balance.

Beyond food, Aakhol offers guests an immersive cultural experience inspired by Assamese homes. The restaurant’s interiors draw inspiration from Dr. Alpaxee’s grandmother’s house in Bharalu, Guwahati, featuring handcrafted décor elements, a legacy wall narrating the family’s hospitality journey, and a curated library celebrating Assamese literature, food, and culture.

With its launch, Aakhol aims to introduce Hyderabad not just to Assamese cuisine but also to the stories, traditions, and hospitality of Assam, creating a space where every meal becomes a cultural experience.

Restaurant Details:

Restaurant: Aakhol – An Assamese Restaurant
Location: H.1-1/476, Gandipet Main Road, Power Welfare Society, Manchirevula, Kokapet, Hyderabad, Telangana 500075
Timings:
Lunch: 12:30 PM – 03:30 PM
Dinner: 07:00 PM – 10:30 PM

Mogu Mogu, the brand known for its signature nata de coco "sip and chew" beverages, is expanding its portfolio in India with the launch of Sugar-Free Candy and the upcoming Chewy Iced Tea. The move marks the brand's entry into the snacking category while strengthening its presence beyond beverages in one of its fastest-growing global markets.

After introducing Mogu Mogu Candy earlier this year, the brand is now preparing to launch Mogu Mogu Iced Tea in August, taking its popular "sip and chew" experience into the ready-to-drink tea segment.

Both products build on Mogu Mogu's success in international markets, where the brand has expanded beyond its flagship beverage. The India rollout reflects the strong consumer response the brand has received locally and reinforces the country's importance in its global growth strategy.

The Mogu Mogu Sugar-Free Candy offers a better-for-you alternative to traditional confectionery. It is sugar-free, enriched with Vitamin C and infused with sorbitol to provide a refreshing cooling sensation. The candy is available in Lychee, Peach, Mango and Strawberry flavours and is shaped like the brand's mascot, with packaging inspired by Mogu Mogu's iconic bottle.

The upcoming Mogu Mogu Iced Tea brings a new twist to the ready-to-drink tea category by combining fruit tea with the brand's signature nata de coco, delivering its well-known "sip and chew" experience. The drink will initially be available in Lemon and Peach flavours.

Commenting on the expansion, Vikash Singhal, Founder & Director, Sunbeam Mercantile Ventures, said:

"Mogu Mogu has always been about a refreshing, fun drink with a unique texture. With the launch of the candy and iced tea, we're extending that same signature taste and feeling of nata de coco into categories that people enjoy every day. As we expand across 300+ cities, with a strong push into Tier II and Tier III markets, these launches mark a defining step in building Mogu Mogu into a multi-category brand in India. We're especially encouraged that over 60% of consumers who experience our in-store activations return as repeat buyers - a strong signal for Mogu Mogu's long-term growth in India."

As part of its expansion strategy, the company is strengthening its presence across 300+ cities, with a particular focus on Tier II and Tier III markets. The new launches are aimed at creating a broader brand ecosystem that connects with Gen Z and millennial consumers across multiple consumption occasions.

The Mogu Mogu Candy is available in a 19.5g pack across India, while the 300ml Mogu Mogu Iced Tea will first launch in South India before expanding nationwide. Both products will also be available through quick-commerce platforms, including Blinkit and Zepto.

Mumbai has welcomed a new all-day destination with the opening of GOAT Brew, a café, restaurant and bar that brings together food, craft brews, music and community experiences under one roof. Created as a space where guests can relax, socialise and spend time throughout the day, the venue aims to offer more than just a dining experience.

Whether it's starting the morning with a coffee meeting, enjoying lunch, catching up with friends over drinks or winding down with live music in the evening, GOAT Brew has been designed to suit different occasions. The venue also welcomes pets, making it one of the few pet-friendly destinations in the city.

GOAT Brew is the vision of founders Lizaa Malik and Saurabh Pathak, who wanted to create a space that reflects the way people connect today. While Mumbai has a vibrant dining and nightlife scene, the founders saw an opportunity to build a venue that blends hospitality, entertainment and creativity in a warm and welcoming setting.

For Lizaa Malik, the launch marks another chapter in her hospitality journey. An entrepreneur, actor, singer and interior designer, she is also the founder of The Pump Room, one of Mumbai's early microbreweries. Together with entrepreneur and technology innovator Saurabh Pathak, she has created a venue where guests can gather, collaborate and celebrate over good food and drinks.

The interiors feature a contemporary design with comfortable seating, artistic elements and ambient lighting, creating a relaxed atmosphere from day to night. Whether guests are visiting for a quick coffee, a casual meal or an evening out, the space has been designed to feel inviting throughout the day.

The culinary experience is led by Chef Allen Gomes, whose menu focuses on comfort food made with quality ingredients. Signature dishes include Gochujang Glazed Chicken, Citrus-Grilled Salmon, Velvet Forest Medley, and Veg Thai Green Curry with Jasmine Rice.

The beverage menu features signature cocktails such as Spice Elite, Garden of Goat and Eastern Bloom, along with mocktails including Berry Blast and Citrus Glow. Guests can also explore an extensive range of craft beers, catering to both seasoned beer lovers and those looking to discover new brews.

Adding to the experience, GOAT Brew plans to host live music performances, DJ nights, open mic sessions, artist showcases, workshops and community events, creating a lively space that encourages people to come together. The venue's pet-friendly approach also includes specially curated food and beverage options for furry companions.

With its doors now open, GOAT Brew adds a fresh dimension to Mumbai's café and nightlife scene by combining great food, craft brews, entertainment and a welcoming community atmosphere.