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Celebrate Diwali 2025 with flavour, warmth, and festive cheer as restaurants across India serve indulgent menus and experiences made for sharing.
5 ways to celebrate Diwali that’s all light, laughter, and love
This Diwali, the sparkle isn’t just in the skies, it’s at the tables where laughter meets flavour, and celebrations stretch late into the night. Across India’s culinary hotspots from vibrant city corners to coastal escapes, restaurants are serving up festive menus that blend nostalgia, indulgence, and innovation.
Whether you’re planning a family feast, a getaway with friends, or a quiet dinner that still feels special, this season is all about celebrating togetherness through food. Think flavour-packed sharing plates, inventive cocktails, and desserts that feel like joy in every bite. Each space captures the essence of the festival of lights, warmth, abundance, and connection turning every meal into a moment of celebration. Because this Diwali, the best memories won’t just be made around diyas, but around tables filled with good food, great company, and festive cheer.
Monkey Bar, Bandra
If Diwali get-togethers for you mean long tables, endless plates, and glasses that never stay empty, Monkey Bar, Bandra is where you want to be. The neighbourhood gastropub is in full festive swing with a menu made for sharing with friends over drinks.
Start with quirky small plates like Cheese-Stuffed Mirchi with spicy pahadi chutney, smoky Cauliflower Steak with fiery thecha, Pindi Chana Hummus with crisp khakra, or the Gongura Chicken Satay that brings a tangy punch. For bigger appetites, there’s buttery Ghee Roast Prawns, Haleem Rolls, Paneer 65 Bao, and Champaran Mutton with sattu paratha — the kind of dishes that feel just right for indulgent festive feasting. And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, don’t miss the Choco Taco or the molten Chocolate & Bourbon Cake to wrap it all up on a nostalgic note.
On the drinks side, Monkey Bar is pouring pure festive cheer. Sip on the chai-style Limon Cha (bourbon, brandy, raspberry, earl grey), the North-East-inspired Seven Sisters (scotch, lime, raw honey, mint), or the sunset-perfect Golden Hour (tequila, pineapple-orange cordial, earl grey foam). If you’re with a big group, the giant pitchers from the King Kong Cooler to the Jumbo Margarita are basically designed for Diwali-style sharing. With its buzzing vibe, playful cocktails, and food that sparks conversation, Monkey Bar is the ultimate neighbourhood spot to raise a glass and light up the festive season.
Address: Ground Floor, Summerville, Linking Road, 14th & 33rd Cross Road, Bandra West, Mumbai
Ishaara, Lower Parel
This Diwali, gather the people you love and celebrate over food that brings everyone to the table at Ishaara. The restaurant captures the true joy of family-style dining, warm, generous, and full of flavour.
The menu moves beautifully between comfort and celebration, with dishes like Dungar Chicken Tikka, Malai Paneer Naan Roll, Broccoli & Cheddar Cutlet, Beetroot Papad Seekh, Mushroom & Chilli Pizza, Dilli Wale Chole, Awadhi Vegetable Dum Biryani, Kebab Platter, Beliram Gosht, Cooker Wala Kukkad, Lamb Seekh, Awadhi Raan, Bombay Kheema Ghotala, and Sufiyani Chicken Biryani, all meant to be shared and savoured together. Even the chaats from the tangy Buttermilk Pani Puri to the colourful Sweet Potato and Beetroot Chaat set the tone for a lively, festive meal.
End on a sweet note with desserts like Rasmalai Tres Leches, Gajar Halwa Crumble, or Filter Coffee Panna Cotta with Pistachio Baklava, the perfect finale to a family feast. What ties it all together is Ishaara’s warmth, a place where thoughtful food and heartfelt service come together effortlessly, led by a team that includes speech and hearing-impaired staff who embody the restaurant’s spirit of inclusion. This Diwali, if you’re looking for a space that feels like home but tastes extraordinary, Ishaara is the place to be.
Address: 462, 3rd Floor, Palladium Mall, High Street Phoenix, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai
Eight, Bangalore
This Diwali, gather your favourite people and celebrate over plates meant to share at Eight, a Pan-Asian restaurant that brings together flavours from across the East. Inspired by the Chinese number eight believed to bring prosperity and good fortune the space blends warmth, craft, and a bit of theatre in every dish.
The menu moves from Peruvian Ceviche and Soft Shell Crab to Black Tiger Prawn Dragon Roll and Smoked Mushroom Uramaki, each with its own distinctive character. There’s plenty to explore: dimsums, baos, robatayaki, curries, and ramen that balance comfort and flavour beautifully. And for dessert, the Thai Lemongrass Cheesecake and Coconut Mango Sagoo Pudding are the perfect way to end a festive meal. Whether it’s a quiet dinner or a lively evening with friends, Eight makes for a warm, flavourful spot to celebrate the season.
Address: 2nd Floor, Phoenix Mall of Asia, Hebbal, Bangalore
Hosa, Goa
If your Diwali getaway leads you to Goa, make time for a meal at Hosa, a South Indian restaurant set inside a lovingly restored century-old Portuguese bungalow in Siolim. Chef Harish Rao’s menu celebrates the flavours of the South with comfort and creativity — from ghee roast rolls and spiced seafood to indulgent vegetarian plates.
Settle into the breezy courtyard, sip on cocktails stirred with local fruits and spices, and take in the art that lines the walls. It’s the kind of place where a Diwali lunch stretches into golden-hour conversations surrounded by food, family, and the easy rhythm of Goa.
Address: House No. 60/1, Irada Home, Vaddy, near St. Anthony’s Church, Siolim, Bardez, Goa
Olive Bar & Kitchen, Goa
Goa always feels a little more magical during Diwali, and this season, Olive Goa brings that sparkle to life with its refreshed menu and new cliffside energy. Chef Dhruv Oberoi and mixologist Harish Chhimwal add a bold, travel-inspired twist to Olive’s Mediterranean soul.
Relish dishes like Truffle Mushroom Brioche, Arabic Goat Tacos, and Duck Böreks, indulgent yet light, best enjoyed over long festive lunches by the sea. Whether you’re toasting with Harish’s inventive cocktails or soaking in Vagator’s starlit charm, Olive makes for a Diwali evening that’s stylish, soulful, and effortlessly celebratory.
Address: Unit 1, Vagator Helipad, Big Vagator, Anjuna, Goa
Café Hawkers
This Diwali, let your celebrations sparkle a little brighter at Café Hawkers! Step into a space buzzing with festive energy, great food, and conversations that flow as effortlessly as the cocktails. Whether it’s your pre-party pitstop, a night out with friends, or a long-overdue catch-up, Café Hawkers brings together the perfect mix of flavour, fun, and festivity.
Indulge in crowd-favourite Asian plates, signature drinks, and that unmistakable Hawkers vibe that turns every evening into a celebration. Gather your crew, leave the stress behind, and soak in the festive chaos, the Hawkers way! This season of lights, make every moment taste as good as it feels.
Gola Sizzlers
This Diwali, let your celebrations come alive with the warmth, aroma, and irresistible sizzle of your favourite dishes at Gola Sizzlers! Nothing says festive indulgence quite like the sound of a sizzling platter making its way to your table loaded with flavour, nostalgia, and joy.
Gather your family, friends, and festive hunger, because this season is all about hearty bites and happy hearts. From classic sizzlers to indulgent desserts and festive drinks, Gola Sizzlers has the perfect spread to make your celebrations memorable. Light up your Diwali not just with diyas, but with laughter, love, and the signature sizzle that brings people together only at Gola Sizzlers!
LOYA
Celebrate Diwali – the festival of light, love, and legacy – with a culinary journey that brings together timeless recipes and contemporary imagination. From intimate family gatherings to joyous reunions with friends, each dish reflects the richness of India’s heritage, while the festive décor and soulful flavours make every evening unforgettable.
Dates: 20th October 2025 | Timings: 7:00pm – 11:00pm | Venue: Loya, Taj Palace, 2 Sardar Patel Marg, Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi 110021
Pondicherry Cafe, Sofitel Mumbai BKC
Guests can savour a Royal Indian Feast featuring festive biryanis and curries, alongside a Festive Tandoor showcasing signature kebabs and grills. The menu also highlights a Mini Burger Station with chef’s special sliders, and a Crispy Korean Fried Station offering chicken, prawns, vegetarian, and tofu options. To complete the festive experience, guests can indulge in a variety of Assorted Diwali Sweets and a live shrikhand puri counter, adding a touch of nostalgia and sweetness to the celebrations.
Where: Pondichéry Café, Sofitel Mumbai BKC | When: 19th October 2025, Sunday Time: 12:00 PM onwards
FARRO, Pune
The festive menu blends comforting Indian classics with FARRO’s signature creativity – familiar favourites, beautifully reimagined. From the playful Passionfruit Puchka with green apple and raw mango to the melt-in-the-mouth Kakori Kefta in charred tomato sauce, and the indulgent Tandoori Thirty Layer Latke crowned with cheddar and cheese aioli – every dish tells a story. The Rajma Cannoli adds a joyful twist of nostalgia, while Diwali ki Biryani and Daryaganj (FARRO’s take on butter chicken) bring warmth and richness to the feast. For a sweet finale, Purani Dilli’s Kulfi Falooda, Gajrela with black pepper ice cream, and Malai Cheesecake offer that perfect touch of celebration and comfort.
Date: 17th October 2025, Friday | Dinner: 7:00 – 9:00 PM & 9:30 PM – 12:00 AM | Venue: FARRO, Koregaon Park | Dress Code: Festive Indian
The Malabar Coast
This festive season, indulge your sweet tooth with an irresistible treat! In celebration of Diwali (20th & 21st October) and National Dessert Day (14th October), The Malabar Coast is spreading joy with a 1+1 offer on our signature Rawa Kesari dessert, a traditional South Indian delight made with pure ghee, aromatic saffron, and love. Enjoy the festive flavours with this limited-time offer brings you double the taste and double the happiness at its Noida, Gurugram, and Indore outlets.
When: Available on Diwali (20th & 21st October) and National Dessert Day (14th October) | Price for Two:- ₹1,400 | Where: Noida, Gurugram, Indore
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
October 15, 2025, 14:54 IST
