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By Hariharan U
Published on March 9, 2026
If you've been to a Harajuku Tokyo Café in Delhi or Mumbai, you already know what the fuss is about, jiggly pancakes, Kaiten conveyor belt sushi, manga-inspired interiors, and an energy that feels genuinely unlike anything else in India's dining scene. And now, a lot more people are about to find out what they've been missing.
Harajuku Tokyo Café & Bakehouse has announced a serious multi-city expansion, and it's not a small step, it's a full-on leap. The brand is deepening its presence in Delhi with a specialised Bakehouse, rolling out a sprawling flagship Tokyo Café and Bakehouse in Mumbai, making its long-awaited debut in Bengaluru, and launching its very first all-vegetarian outlet in Gujarat. For a brand that started as a boutique cult favourite, this is a whole new chapter.
The man behind all of it is founder Gaurav Kanwar. Armed with an analytical background from the London School of Economics and the University of Warwick, Kanwar spotted something that most people in the industry had missed, Japanese cuisine in India was almost entirely locked inside five-star hotels, formal and untouchable. After spending time researching in Tokyo and Osaka, he came back with a very different vision, one that put soul and experience first, and left the stuffiness at the door.
"There's something incredibly special about watching people truly connect with what you've built," says Kanwar. "The response we received in Delhi was overwhelming, and Mumbai took that love to another level. It reassured us that this vision resonates. As we now expand into Bangalore and other cities, it feels like the right time to share this experience with an even wider audience, while staying true to the care, energy, and authenticity that define us."
What makes Harajuku stand out isn't just the food, though the food is very much a reason to show up. Each outlet draws from a different district of Japan, translating its character into the look, feel, and energy of the space. The Mumbai outlet channels the vibrant buzz of Shibuya. The M3M IFC Gurugram outlet reflects the neon-lit nightlife of Kabukicho. The Ambience Mall Gurugram outlet takes its cues from the cultural warmth of Ueno. Every location feels like its own world, which is a big part of why people keep coming back.
The menu carries its own loyal following. The viral jiggly pancakes and Japanese cotton cheesecake have taken on a life of their own on social media, while the Kaiten conveyor belt sushi keeps the experience playful and interactive. Inventive beverages round things out, it's a menu that's as fun to order from as it is to eat.
The Gujarat launch is particularly significant, a first-ever all-vegetarian Harajuku, reimagining the brand's entire experience for an audience that doesn't compromise on that front. It's a bold move that shows just how seriously the brand is thinking about who it wants to welcome through its doors.
Bengaluru, meanwhile, marks Harajuku's first step into the South Indian market, a city with a strong appetite for quality dining and an equally strong sense of what's worth the hype. If the Delhi and Mumbai responses are anything to go by, the southern debut is going to make some noise.
This expansion isn't just about more locations, it's about Harajuku planting its flag as the go-to name for Japanese dining in India, city by city, one unforgettable experience at a time.
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Published on March 29, 2026
Delhi’s nightlife scene welcomes a new entrant with the opening of Rumour in Vasant Vihar, a speakeasy-style lounge designed to blend curated drinks with an intimate, high-energy atmosphere. Inspired by New York’s after-work wine and cocktail culture, the space aims to offer a relaxed yet vibrant social escape.
Conceptualised by founders Rhea Parekh Jain and Nishchay Jain, the bar is built around spontaneity and connection. The founders describe it as a place where guests can drop in without planning and still expect an engaging, memorable evening driven by good drinks and lively energy.
Designed by The Charcoal Project, led by Sussanne Khan, the space brings together quirky luxury and rustic loft aesthetics. A hidden entrance, layered textures, warm lighting, and compact seating for around 45 guests create a setting that feels both exclusive and social, with options ranging from intimate corners to group lounges and a balcony view.
Wine forms the core of the beverage program, supported by curated tastings and a cocktail menu where nearly half the offerings are wine-based. This is complemented by a selection of refined, shareable plates designed to enhance the overall experience.
Positioned for urban professionals and experience-driven diners, Rumour aims to deliver a balance of design, energy, and thoughtfully curated hospitality. Operating from Wednesday to Monday between 6 PM and 1 AM, the lounge caters to after-work gatherings, date nights, and late-evening social sessions.
With its focus on immersive atmosphere and guest-centric experiences, Rumour signals a growing demand for intimate, design-led nightlife formats in the capital.
Malai Marke has unveiled a refreshing new lineup of signature mocktails, bringing a seasonal, flavour-forward twist to its modern Indian culinary experience. Known for its innovative approach to Indian cuisine, the restaurant continues to expand its beverage program with a thoughtfully curated, alcohol-free collection designed for summer.
Crafted by Himanshu Joshi, the new mocktail menu focuses on combining fruits, herbs, and citrus elements to create drinks that are both visually engaging and layered in flavour. The collection reflects a balance of traditional inspiration and contemporary creativity, appealing to a wide range of palates.
The menu features a variety of refreshing options, each highlighting seasonal freshness. Standout offerings include Strawberry, Lemon, Orange Blossom, a citrus-forward blend with a subtle watermelon twist, and Watermelon Mint Cooler, which combines juicy watermelon with fresh mint and a hint of chilli for added depth. Cranberry, Lime Honey Suckle delivers a tart, sparkling profile, while Summer Blossom brings together citrus, berries, and pineapple for a tropical burst.
For those seeking lighter, cooling options, Cucumber Mint Soda offers a crisp, clean finish, while the Summer Heat Drink blends strawberry, citrus, and soda into a refreshing cooler. The collection is rounded off with Blossom Tea, a black tea-based beverage enhanced with citrus notes for a refined finish.
Speaking about the launch, Joshi said, “This collection is inspired by the essence of summer—fresh, vibrant, and full of life. We wanted to create drinks that not only complement our cuisine but also stand out as memorable experiences on their own.”
With this new offering, Malai Marke continues to push boundaries by reimagining traditional flavours through a modern lens, reinforcing its focus on innovation, seasonality, and elevated guest experiences.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Helen’s Place, India’s first Indo-Portuguese restaurant known for blending flavour with storytelling, has introduced Flavours of 2026, a new menu inspired by kitchens across Europe, Asia, and India. Rooted in comfort and guided by creativity, the menu reinterprets familiar dishes through a contemporary lens, bringing together global influences with warmth, balance, and thoughtful innovation.
With Flavours of 2026, the restaurant explores how comfort food evolves as it travels, from Malabar to Madrid, and Osaka to Canton. Each dish is shaped by inspiration rather than imitation, where nostalgic flavours are layered with bold textures, high-impact ingredients, and inventive twists. The result is a menu that feels familiar at its core, yet refreshed with a new and expressive identity.
Designed by Abhrajyoti Nandy, the menu stays true to the brand’s philosophy of restraint and respect for ingredients. Flavours are carefully layered using elements like pickle glaze, mango chilli, chimichurri, truffle, and ghee roast to create depth without overwhelming the palate. Presented as a selection of small, shareable plates, the menu encourages a social dining experience that brings together cultures, flavours, and stories.
Highlights include the wok-tossed chicken with mustard pickle glaze, offering a bold and tangy profile, and the salmon ceviche with mango and chilli that adds brightness and freshness. Regional influences are reflected in the Malabar ghee roast prawns with paratha and the coastal cafreal prawns, both rich in flavour and character. The tenderloin with mushroom ragù cream and chimichurri balances indulgence with freshness, while the avocado corn crunch with green pea hummus introduces a lighter, textured contrast. The experience concludes on a comforting note with ricotta bites paired with walnut and honey.
With this new menu, Helen’s Place continues to create a space where global comfort food is not just served but thoughtfully reimagined, bringing together diverse culinary influences in a way that feels both personal and new.
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