Vaarta Opens in Goa, Bringing Interactive Indian Street Food to a 160-Year-Old

Vaarta Opens in Goa, Bringing Interactive Indian Street Food to a 160-Year-Old

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 28, 2026

In a quiet corner of Sangolda, Vaarta has opened its doors inside a beautifully restored 160-year-old Goan home. The restaurant brings a fresh way of experiencing Indian street food, where flavours, memories, and conversations come together in an intimate setting.

Vaarta is not designed like a typical street food spot or a nostalgia-themed café. Instead, it slows things down and gives street food the space and respect it deserves. Set within a heritage home that already carries decades of stories, the restaurant allows food to unfold as an experience rather than a quick bite.

One of the most distinctive elements at Vaarta is its interactive dining style. Guests are welcomed by a live Puchka counter, where each puchka is prepared fresh. Diners can choose fillings such as Aloo Masala, Aloo Dum, Dahi Aloo, and Churmur, paired with house-made waters ranging from Sharp Jaljira and Tangy Tetul to sweet Saunth and cooling Pudina. The experience recreates the excitement of a street-side ritual, now placed within a calm and personal environment.

Adding to this sense of play is the ‘Make Your Own Barf Ka Gola’ cart, brought straight to the table. Guests can customise flavours, textures, and spice levels, turning a childhood favourite into a shared moment that naturally sparks conversation.

The setting plays a major role in shaping the experience. The 160-year-old home has been carefully restored, keeping its original arches, aged flooring, and vintage windows intact. Interconnected lighting flows through the space, while vintage round bakelite power switches have been retained to preserve an old-world charm. Rather than reshaping the house to fit a concept, Vaarta allows the home to guide the atmosphere, creating a space that feels warm, unhurried, and deeply connected to Goa.

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“Vaarta was born from a simple longing, the kind of food that carries memory and invites conversation. I didn’t want to recreate street food; I wanted to give it the space and respect it deserves,” says Neha Mehta, Founder of Vaarta.

The menu draws from Indian street food traditions across regions, prepared with care and restraint while staying true to their roots. It moves from chaat favourites like Palak Patta Chaat, Jhal Muri, and Tokri Chaat to comforting dishes such as Chelo Kebab, Suz Ke Seekh, and Aloo Ki Taheri. Bar bites include Spinach Chop, Tujj Tikka, and Chicken Roast Kulcha, while main courses highlight regional flavours with Dalcha Gosht, Gavran Chicken, Bharwaan Karela, Moti Pulao, and Cholar Dal. Desserts such as Bhapa Doi, Patishapta, Payasam, Shahi Tukda, and Basundi bring the meal to a nostalgic close.

The bar follows the same philosophy, reworking familiar Indian flavours into creative drinks. Cocktails like Pani Puri Popper, Kala Khatta Kamikaze, Masala Chai Martini, Nimbu Mirch Margarita, and Aam Panna Sour sit alongside refreshing options such as Shikanji Sparkler and Rose & Cardamom Lassi, keeping the experience playful yet comforting.

Vaarta appeals to a wide audience. For locals, it brings back flavours tied to everyday moments and memories. For long-term settlers, it offers a comforting reminder of home. For travellers, it becomes a quiet discovery, where Indian street food feels thoughtful and personal.

In a region known for beach shacks and global cuisines, Vaarta offers something different: a return to Indian flavours that shaped childhoods and cities. Here, street food slows down, conversations stay longer, and every dish carries a story.


Vivanta Miramar Launches Verre Rooftop Bar, Blending Cocktails, Storytelling and Panoramic Sea Views

Vivanta Miramar Launches Verre Rooftop Bar, Blending Cocktails, Storytelling and Panoramic Sea Views

By Hariharan U

Published on June 10, 2026

Vivanta Miramar has introduced Verre, a new rooftop glasshouse concept that brings together handcrafted cocktails, global cuisine, curated music, and immersive storytelling, set against sweeping views of the Goan coastline.

Positioned as more than a rooftop bar, Verre is designed as a “parallel universe” experience where familiar archetypes are reimagined as playful characters, creating a layered and evolving social space. The venue transitions naturally from relaxed sundowners during sunset to high-energy nightlife as the evening progresses.

At the centre of the experience is a cocktail programme inspired by celestial themes, drawing from the sun and moon to create drinks that combine classic mixology techniques with global influences and experimental ingredients. The beverage offering is complemented by a contemporary menu featuring Asian, Mediterranean, and Indian flavours, along with curated shareable plates and a live sushi bar.

Music plays a key role in shaping the atmosphere at Verre, beginning with lounge and ambient sounds at sunset before shifting into upbeat and club-driven sets later in the night. This gradual transformation is designed to mirror the changing energy of the space as guests move from evening relaxation to late-night celebration.

A defining element of the concept is the introduction of “Verre Characters,” a storytelling feature that assigns playful personas inspired by everyday human traits. From dreamers to socialites and collectors, guests are invited to identify with these characters, adding an interactive narrative layer to the experience.

According to Ranjit Philipose, Senior Vice President – Operations, Goa, IHCL, Verre has been designed to go beyond traditional dining and drinking formats. He noted that the concept blends design, music, storytelling, and mixology to create a more immersive and memorable social experience in Goa’s evolving hospitality landscape.

With its combination of panoramic views, evolving atmosphere, and experiential storytelling, Verre positions itself as a distinctive addition to Goa’s rooftop and nightlife scene


Novotel Hyderabad Airport Brings Coastal Italian Flavours to Food Exchange

Novotel Hyderabad Airport Brings Coastal Italian Flavours to Food Exchange

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 10, 2026

Novotel Hyderabad Airport is inviting guests to experience the flavours of coastal Italy with A Taste of the Italian Coast, a specially curated brunch designed to bring together authentic Italian cuisine, seasonal ingredients, and a relaxed dining atmosphere.

Hosted at Food Exchange, the brunch celebrates the rich culinary traditions of Italy’s coastline through a menu featuring classic favourites and fresh creations inspired by the region’s vibrant food culture.

Designed as a leisurely Sunday dining experience, the brunch offers families, friends, and food enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy a carefully crafted selection of Italian dishes in a welcoming and elegant setting.

With its focus on comforting flavours, quality ingredients, and the laid-back charm associated with coastal Italy, the experience aims to transport guests on a culinary journey while offering a memorable afternoon of dining and hospitality.

The brunch will be available every Sunday in June 2026, except 21 June, at Food Exchange, Novotel Hyderabad Airport, from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM.

  • Venue: Food Exchange, Novotel Hyderabad Airport
  • Dates: Every Sunday in June 2026 (except 21 June)
  • Time: 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM


Café Delhi Heights Opens New All-Day Dining Destination at Central 50, Noida

Café Delhi Heights Opens New All-Day Dining Destination at Central 50, Noida

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 10, 2026

Café Delhi Heights (CDH) has announced the opening of its newest outlet at Central 50, Noida, further expanding its presence in one of the city's emerging lifestyle destinations. Designed as an all-day dining space, the new café offers a welcoming atmosphere that transitions seamlessly from casual daytime gatherings to relaxed evening experiences.

Spread across 1,680 sq. ft. and accommodating up to 69 guests, the outlet has been thoughtfully designed to create the feel of a modern neighbourhood café. The interiors feature a soothing mix of terracotta and lime tones, complemented by warm wooden finishes, brick-tiled details, and rattan accents. Carefully placed black highlights add contrast, while large windows allow natural light to create changing patterns throughout the day.

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Speaking about the new opening, Vikrant Batra said, “We wanted this space to feel calm, comfortable and effortlessly welcoming, a place that truly speaks of comfort, where you can drop in for a coffee during the day or unwind in the evening. Central 50 is an exciting new destination in Noida, and it gives us the perfect opportunity to connect with a diverse, evolving audience.”

Located within Central 50, the café is expected to attract a wide range of guests, including corporate professionals, families, and young urban diners. Its flexible layout and relaxed ambience make it suitable for everything from informal meetings and quick coffee breaks to leisurely meals and evening catch-ups.

Over the years, Café Delhi Heights has built a strong reputation for offering comfort-focused dining experiences across India. Since opening its first outlet in Gurgaon, the brand has expanded across multiple cities while maintaining its signature approach of creating spaces that feel both familiar and unique.

The launch at Central 50 marks another step in the brand’s growth journey. With a focus on combining thoughtfully designed spaces and enjoyable dining experiences, Café Delhi Heights continues to strengthen its presence in key urban markets across the country.

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