Restaurant Roundup: Yuvraj Singh Launches KOCA; Goya's Awadhi pop up in Hyderabad

Joanna Lobo rounds up all the biggest news in F&B in June-July 2025.

There’s food all over our social media feed, overflowing on our plates, in our festivals and yet, hunger is one of the biggest concerns in the world at the moment. Especially in Gaza, which is seeing famine-like conditions as mothers and children survive on scraps. The 21 months of war has resulted in what the UN calls ‘catastrophic hunger’ and a food crisis, prompting some countries to drop aid directly to people.

Additionally, this year’s The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI 2025) report published by the UN says that an estimated 8.2 percent of the global population, or about 673 million people, experienced hunger in 2024. There has been a steady rise in hunger across Africa and western Asia, including in many countries affected by prolonged food crises. The report revealed more depressing data about hunger in India: 18.7 per cent of Indian children under the age of five suffered from wasting (an important marker for undernourishment) in 2024, the highest rate in the world.

The success of Indore’s 56 Dukan, the night street market in Indore, has prompted Delhi to take notice. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is proposing a similar concept in Delhi, a dedicated post-10 pm food hub.

Pooja Dhingra becomes the first chef to win Pastry Game Changer Award in Paris.

Pooja Dhingra won the Pastry Game Changer Award at LA LISTE in Paris, making her the first Indian chef to receive this honour.

Pop-ups and Events: A Lucknowi Monsoon Feast in Hyderabad; an Awadhi Feast in Mumbai; the 7th Edition of Wild Foods Festival

This weekend, chef Taiyaba Ali cooking up a monsoon feast in Hyderabad at Hotel Greenpark featuring dishes representative of this season in Lucknow, like karaka kantola, aam papdi chaat, anarsa and salan chawal.

The second edition of Luxury Dining Series, The Luxury Group by Marriott International’s multi-city gastronomic journey, took place at JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa. There were six culinary events, which included a farm-to-table garden soiree, an Indian feast dedicated to Awadhi cuisine, and an immersive dine-around experience.

Chef Taiyaba Ali cooked up an Awadhi feast in Hyderabad.

Waarsa at NCPA is hosting a month-long Women of Awadh festival.

All this month, Waarsa, the modern Awadhi restaurant at NCPA, Mumbai, are showcasing women who have shaped the cuisine, under the title of Women of Awadh. Writer and curator Anubhuti Krishna, and home chef Sheeba Iqbal of Naimat Khana will be presenting their food. In Mumbai, JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu is collaborating with chef Rabih El Yantani from Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel (Oman) for a Flavors of the Middle East: A Middle Eastern Culinary Showcase, from August 16-24.

This Onam, September 6.7, visit @baowich for a traditional Ona sadhya by Capela.

The 7th edition of the Wild Food Festival will take place in Mumbai on August 23. The collaboration between OOO Farms and Locavore will see a day-long festival containing wild food showcases, a Farmer's Market of foraged produce, and a forest to table dinner. The campaign will also be supported by a wild foods menu showcase across restaurants from Mumbai and Pune.

Sri Vamsi Matta hosted Popula Dabba, a two-day storytelling workshop aimed at exploring layered identities and lived experiences by using food as a storytelling device.

September will see a traditional Ona Sadya at Capela.

Bijou Drinkery Room from Mexico came to Shangri-La Eros, Delhi.

It’s been the season for pop-ups and takeovers.

In Bangalore, Across from Mumbai, brought its Himalayan cuisine to The Conservatory for a two-day event with dishes like Corn & Nettle Soup, Mustang Black Dal; and Pork Trotters & Belly. In July end, SOKA hosted chef Seefah Ketchaiyo for a one-day pop-up as part of their SOKA Sunday Rituals. Goa’s Boilermaker had a one-night-only takeover at La Loca Maria in Mumbai. And, Indian Accent did a bar takeover at Água Pool Bar & Cafe, JW Marriott Goa. Mexico’s Bijou Drinkery Room popped up at Grappa Bar at Shangri-La Eros New Delhi.

New Launches: Farzi Café goes to New York; Bangalore and Mumbai Get New Listenings Rooms; Yuvraj Singh Launches Koca in Gurgaon

Indian restaurateur Zorawar Kalra took Farzi Café to New York City with the launch of Farzi Tribeca, marking Massive Restaurants’ first foray into the city.

The BadBoy Pizza, a brainchild of bollywood's favorite singers Badshah and Karan Tanna.

Hyderabad: The new buzzing foodie hotspot has Tuya offering reimagined comfort food rooted in South India; Taj Deccan launches Natsu, a contemporary Pan-Asian restaurant; Mumbai’s Radio Bar marks its second outpost; and LOQA is a new cocktail room.

Bangalore: Everyone’s favourite foodie city is rife with new openings. There is Una Hacienda, the hosue of rum and Peruvian Nikkei cuisine; and the audiophile bar in The Courtyard, Middle Room — both are projects of mixologist Arijit Bose. There is Amicii, a casual pub with globally-inspired comfort food; Tommy’s is a 120-seater everyday bar; RIKO is a Peruvian-Latin restaurant; Katana is a 45-seater sake and shochu cocktail bar; Kalpaney offers global vegetarian cuisine; Baan PhadThai, the much-loved Thai eatery from Bangkok, makes its debut; brewery and restaurant, Gladia; burger joint Smash Guys; cocktail room, Bar Wild; Juliana’s Bistro is an all-day bistro serving global flavours, artisanal coffee and a zero-proof cocktail list; The Jamming Goat in Marathahalli is a sprawling 6,500 square foot brew garden and dining room; and there is the coffee house and cocktail bar, Circa 11.

Bangkok’s Baan PadThai made its India debut in the city.

Mumbai: BANNG is the newest opening by chef Garima Arora and restaurateur Riyaaz Amlani of Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt Ltd, which offers a taste of Thailand. Additionally, there is KMC Pirojshanagar by Chef Niyati Rao with an open-air art terrace, a sunken amphitheatre, a live kitchen for chef residencies, and a cocktail space; The BadBoy Pizza by Bollywood’s Badshah and Karan Tanna; BANG BANG! Noodle, a Mala-forward concept; Miss Margot is a new cocktail lounge that blends European-Continental sensibilities with contemporary Japanese techniques; SoBo 20, a distinctive Franco-American restaurant concept at the InterContinental Marine Drive; the Asian dining chain Wagamama arrives in Churchgate; and Goa’s Fireback makes its debut at Nilaya Anthology (the space is also home to an all-day cafe and bar, Drift); KOA is a Bohemian-themed cafe and bar; Baroke, a vinyl-only listening bar with a signature cocktail programme; Harajuku Tokyo Café & Bakehouse is an immersive Japanese dining and dessert experience; the rooftop bar at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake, NOX; Apero by Malvika now has a cloud kitchen; Dave & Buster’s launched in Mumbai at Infiniti Mall, and The Merchants Foodhall at Fairmont Mumbai has six open kitchens offering Nawabi, Southeast Asian plates, Japanese and Korean fare, European classics and The Chocolate Atelier.

Goa: The state has Morjim Culture, an all-day destination; the House of Telugu showcasing the soul of Andhra And Telangana; cafés Moira Coffee House, and Lento; and in August, the modern mezze, Mister Merchant’s.

Morjim Culture is an all-day dining space.

Delhi | Gurgaon: Latango is an all-day European bar in Delhi. The capital also has Amninder Sandhu’s new restaurant, Kikli; café Paris Coffee House; Manam Chocolate’s new immersive experience space; Organic Bistro offering clean, natural meals; and Zorawar Kalra’s private members-only rooftop bar, Mamma Killa. In Gurgaon is former cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s Koca. Gordon Ramsay Street Burger is now at Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi.

Rest of India: Ahmedabad has a plant-based European menu with Asian influences at Union. Jaipur has the global cuisine Mirove Artisanal Kitchen. In Pune is the ingredient-forward, global dining space, The Lakehouse, Amanora. At Kolkata’s new indoor trampoline and adventure park, Jump-N-Joey, is Joey’s Café — a 4,500 sq. ft. eatery serving family-friendly comfort food, protein-packed meals, and indulgent shakes. Sula Vineyards launched the Sula Dindori Tasting Room with a wine bar, bottle shop, gift store, and sommelier-led wine tastings.

High Spirits: New Sugarcane Rum in Goa; SULA and Smoke Vodka Win Big Abroad

Petrichor Spirits is the newest entrant in Goa, launching with four sugarcane rum varieties: dark, white, spiced and pure cane, called Usacha (from sugarcane in Konkani). In other launches is Ochre Spirits with Ochre Mango Citron Rum; DRIX is a sugar-free, low-cal gut-friendly soda, in flavours like Peach & Cream and Yuzu Citrus; Evocus launched Hydration IV Electrolyte Drink, with zero caffeine, zero added sugar, no preservatives, or artificial colours; Blenders Pride unveiled Blenders Pride Four Elements; and Sula launched the low-alcohol still white wine, Sula Muscat Blanc. Starbucks launched its Blonde Roast espresso. The Balvenie Fifty – First Edition is a single cask edition, aged over five decades, and only available at G Town Wines, Golf Course Road, Gurugram.

Coming soon in Goa is BABY, a pink gin, by Satiwa.

Sula’s The Source Reserve Chenin Blanc, The Source Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, Dindori Reserve Chardonnay, and Dindori Reserve Viognier won Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025. Smoke Lab Vodka won big – gold and double gold – at the 2025 SIP Awards in California. The Spirits Business has awarded a Gold Medal to Otherside Subcontinental Whiskey, at the World Whisky Masters 2025. And, Blenders Pride Four Elements won a Silver Medal in the Best Blended Indian Whisky category at the 2025 International Whisky Competition (IWC).

Joanna Lobo is an independent journalist from Goa who enjoys writing about food, her Goan heritage, the freelance life, and other things that make her happy. She is also the Consulting Editor at Goya. Follow her on @thatdoggonelady.

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