India’s Halwai Heritage Gets a Modern Twist as Amara Debuts in Bengaluru

India’s Halwai Heritage Gets a Modern Twist as Amara Debuts in Bengaluru

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 26, 2026

India’s deep-rooted halwai traditions meet contemporary dessert craft with the launch of Amara, a new-age dessert brand that brings regional Indian flavours to the forefront in a modern format. The brand makes its debut with a flagship store in Indiranagar, along with 10 satellite stores across Bengaluru, marking a first-of-its-kind approach to premium frozen desserts in India.

Amara introduces a concept built around collaboration with generational halwais, reworking recipes that have been passed down over decades into refined, contemporary dessert formats. The idea is not to fuse traditions, but to respectfully reinterpret them, creating flavours that feel elevated and fresh while remaining deeply familiar and nostalgic.

For years, some of India’s most loved cold desserts have stayed tied to specific regions and memories. Meetha paan was closely associated with Banaras, Gudbud belonged to Udupi, and chikki was inseparable from Lonavala. While these flavours lived on through tradition, the premium dessert space largely moved in a different direction, leaning towards Western styles or mass-produced sweets with little cultural connection.

Amara steps in to bridge this gap by bringing together regional desserts from across the country on a single menu. The brand works directly with traditional halwais whose families have preserved these recipes for generations. Every dessert is made using 100% real milk and natural ingredients, with zero preservatives, and prepared using time-honoured techniques that remain true to their origins.

Sharing the vision behind the brand, Edwin Daniel, Co-founder of Amara, said, “We realised there was a clear gap in the premium dessert space. India has extraordinary regional dessert traditions, but they were either hyper-local or not presented in a contemporary format. We wanted to bring these flavours together on one platform - not as fusion, but as respectful reinterpretations that make them accessible year-round, without losing their authenticity.”

The debut menu reflects a journey through India’s dessert memories. Highlights include the Meetha Paan Sundae inspired by Banaras, Gadibadi, a modern take on the Mangalore classic Gudbud, and the Lonavala Salted Caramel Chikki Sundae. The menu also features a dessert inspired by the nostalgic flavour of masala chai-soaked Parle-G biscuits, along with offerings such as Filter Kaapi ice cream, Gulkhand Rose Sundae, and Desi Tres Leches.

Speaking about the brand’s expansion approach, Jeff Jose, Co-founder of Amara, said, "With the launch of a flagship store and 10 satellite stores, our focus is on reach and accessibility from day one. We wanted Amara to feel premium but approachable - a brand that can scale while staying rooted in authenticity. Bengaluru is the right city to begin this journey; it embraces craft and innovation. This is just the start of building a nationally relevant dessert brand."

The flagship store in Indiranagar is designed to echo traditional Indian homes, featuring red oxide flooring and rattan furniture. The space reflects warmth, familiarity, and pride in Indian dessert-making, creating an atmosphere that feels nostalgic yet current, much like the brand’s offerings.

Amara enters the market at a time when Indian consumers are increasingly moving away from mass-produced sweets and towards artisanal, heritage-driven indulgences made in small batches with clean ingredients. With its focus on regional authenticity, craftsmanship, and modern presentation, the brand fills a clear gap in the premium dessert segment.

The flagship store is located at 472, HAL 3rd Stage, 80 Feet Road, Thippasandra, Bangalore. The Indiranagar outlet is open from 12 noon to 1 AM, with Amara also available on Swiggy, Zomato, and Ownly across Bengaluru.


Soy Soi Brings ‘Embers of Grills’ to Chennai with Asian Charcoal-Grilled Specialties

Soy Soi Brings ‘Embers of Grills’ to Chennai with Asian Charcoal-Grilled Specialties

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 20, 2026

Soy Soi, one of Chennai's leading destinations for Pan Asian cuisine, is celebrating the rich traditions of Asian charcoal grilling with its limited-time food promotion, 'Embers of Grills', available at its Kotturpuram outlet until July 19, 2026.

Inspired by the bustling satay stalls of Kuala Lumpur, Japan's robata grills, and the charcoal street food culture of Bangkok, Hanoi and Chengdu, the promotion brings together authentic open-fire cooking techniques from across Southeast and East Asia.

The specially curated menu highlights Soy Soi's signature grilled dishes alongside regional favourites, offering guests an opportunity to experience the bold, smoky flavours that have become synonymous with Asian charcoal grilling.

Among the featured dishes are Moo Ping with Spicy Peanut Sauce, featuring Thai-style marinated pork skewers; Ga Nuong – Grilled Chicken Leg, prepared with fragrant lemongrass and charcoal-grilled to perfection; Spiced Tofu Kin, made with Burmese spices and chilli paste; and Xinjiang Lamb Skewers, seasoned with cumin and served alongside a numbing Sichuan chilli sauce.

Drawing inspiration from the vibrant street food culture of Asia, Embers of Grills recreates the experience of live charcoal cooking in a restaurant setting through bold marinades, authentic flavours and a menu designed to cater to a variety of preferences.

With this special promotion, Soy Soi invites guests to savour the distinctive taste of charcoal-grilled cuisine and explore the diverse grilling traditions that continue to define some of Asia's most loved culinary destinations.

Event Details:

  • Venue: Soy Soi, Gandhi Mandapam Road, Chitra Nagar, Kotturpuram, Chennai – 600085

  • Dates: Till July 19, 2026

  • Timings: 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM and 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM


Maize & Malt Introduces Rose Jalebi Tres Leches in Bengaluru

Maize & Malt Introduces Rose Jalebi Tres Leches in Bengaluru

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 20, 2026

Riding the wave of one of the internet's most popular dessert trends, Maize & Malt has introduced its latest creation, Rose Jalebi Tres Leches, offering a fresh take on the classic milk-soaked cake with flavours inspired by Indian sweets.

Tres Leches has become a favourite among dessert lovers worldwide, with creative variations appearing across cafés and restaurants. Adding its own signature touch, Maize & Malt has combined the richness of the classic dessert with the familiar flavours of crispy jalebi and fragrant rose.

The dessert features a soft and airy sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk, topped with crunchy jalebi and finished with delicate rose notes. The combination brings together traditional Indian flavours and the creamy texture of Tres Leches, creating a dessert that is both nostalgic and contemporary.

Designed for those who enjoy discovering new food trends as well as lovers of Indian-inspired desserts, the Rose Jalebi Tres Leches adds a distinctive option to Bengaluru's growing dessert scene.

The dessert is now available at Maize & Malt, located at 3, 4th Cross Road, near Whitefield, Vigneshwar Nagar, Kaveri Nagar, Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560048.


Haldiram’s Opens New Outlet in Prayagraj, Expands Uttar Pradesh Presence

Haldiram’s Opens New Outlet in Prayagraj, Expands Uttar Pradesh Presence

By Hariharan U

Published on July 19, 2026

Haldiram’s, one of India’s most recognised brands in sweets, snacks, and dining, has strengthened its presence in Uttar Pradesh with the opening of its latest outlet in Prayagraj.

Located at WP Arena, Hot Stuff Chauraha, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, the new restaurant was inaugurated by Er. Harshvardhan Bajpayee, MLA, Prayagraj North, in the presence of customers, local dignitaries, and community members.

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The launch marks another step in Haldiram’s expansion strategy of entering emerging markets beyond major metropolitan cities while bringing its legacy of traditional Indian flavours closer to consumers across the country. The opening is also aligned with the brand’s “Acche Din Aa Rahe Hai!” campaign, highlighting its continued growth journey.

Known as one of India’s most culturally significant cities, Prayagraj holds a special place in the country’s spiritual and intellectual heritage. Home to the iconic Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers meet, the city attracts millions of visitors during the Kumbh Mela and continues to be a major destination for travellers, pilgrims, and scholars.

Beyond its cultural importance, Prayagraj has emerged as an important educational, administrative, and commercial hub in Uttar Pradesh. With increasing infrastructure development and rising tourism, the city has witnessed growing demand for quality dining experiences.

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Recognising this evolving consumer landscape, Haldiram’s has introduced its new outlet to offer residents and visitors a trusted destination for traditional Indian cuisine combined with modern dining comfort.

Designed to cater to families, groups, and travellers, the outlet offers Haldiram’s extensive portfolio of Indian sweets, namkeens, regional favourites, chaats, complete meals, and contemporary beverages.

The expansion into Prayagraj reflects Haldiram’s broader vision of reaching new markets while preserving the traditions, flavours, and hospitality that have shaped the brand over decades.

With its growing footprint across India, Haldiram’s continues to focus on delivering authentic Indian culinary experiences while adapting to the changing preferences of today’s consumers.

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