Restaurant
Bukhara
The celebrated tandoor restaurant at ITC Maurya, serving north-west frontier kebabs, raan and its famous black dal in a rustic stone-walled dining room since the late…
Indian Accent
Chef Shantanu Mehrotra's modern Indian restaurant at The Lodhi, on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list since 2015, known for inventive tasting menus.
At a glance
- Type
- Modern Indian fine dining
- Area
- Lodhi Road, Delhi, India
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Official site
- indianaccent.com
Good to know
- Tasting menus
- Wine pairings
- Vegan and gluten-free menus
Why we recommend it
Indian Accent is one of the most acclaimed restaurants in India and a leading name in modern Indian fine dining. It opened in 2009, and executive chef Shantanu Mehrotra has led the kitchen since the start. The restaurant has appeared on the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list every year since 2015, and has also been voted the best restaurant in India by Conde Nast Traveller readers. It is housed in The Lodhi hotel on Lodhi Road.
The cooking takes Indian flavours and techniques and presents them in new combinations, often with ingredients from elsewhere. Dishes that have become associated with the restaurant include the hundred-layer paneer, malai kofta, a five-spice squash curry, a green jackfruit take on XO sauce served as balchao, and a potato chaat finished with black truffle. Desserts are equally playful; a single-origin chocolate cake served with basundi, a thickened sweet milk, is a good example.
There are several ways to eat. The six-course Chef's Tasting menu is the fullest expression of the kitchen, and can be matched with wines from India and abroad. A four-course lighter tasting menu suits a lunch or a shorter evening, and an a la carte menu is served at both lunch and dinner. Separate vegan and gluten-free menus make it unusually easy for diners with dietary needs.
This is a special-occasion restaurant, and the price reflects that. Book well ahead, especially for dinner at weekends and during the winter season, using the reservations page on the website or by phone. Smart dress is sensible. Allow two to three hours for a tasting menu so that the meal can unfold at an unhurried pace.
It suits couples, food-focused travellers and anyone who wants to see how inventive modern Indian cooking can be. Vegetarians are particularly well looked after, as many of the most celebrated dishes are meat-free. Those new to Indian food will find the tasting menus a gentle, well-explained introduction.
The Lodhi sits on Lodhi Road, close to Lodhi Garden and Humayun's Tomb, so an afternoon among the Mughal and Lodi tombs followed by dinner here makes a satisfying day. Khan Market is a short drive away for a drink beforehand.
Indian Accent FAQs
Where is Indian Accent?
Inside The Lodhi hotel on Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
Who is the chef?
Executive chef Shantanu Mehrotra, who has led the kitchen since it opened in 2009.
What menus are offered?
A six-course Chef's Tasting menu, a four-course lighter tasting menu and an a la carte menu at lunch and dinner.
Is there wine pairing?
Yes, the tasting menu can be paired with wines from India and abroad.
Are there vegan or gluten-free options?
Yes, there are separate vegan and gluten-free menus.
What are the signature dishes?
The hundred-layer paneer, malai kofta, potato chaat with black truffle and the chocolate cake with basundi.
Do I need to book?
Yes, reservations are strongly recommended; book through the website or by phone.
Has it won awards?
It has featured on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list every year since 2015.
What is nearby?
Lodhi Garden and Humayun's Tomb, with Khan Market a short drive away.