The lowdown
In Kala Ghoda, Portal is a 50-seater all-day bistro and bar designed to move from morning coffee to late-night drinks seamlessly. The space draws from the neighbourhood’s architecture, with arched ceilings, deep greens and textured walls, while the menu moves across cuisines with a comfort-first approach, from congee and tartines to lamb sandos and small plates.
House picks
Crispy polenta cake with mushrooms and parmesan crisp, fermented spaghetti in miso cream, tiramisu panna cotta; cocktails like Chili Canvas (mezcal, tequila, watermelon, chilli) and Art School Dropout (vodka, passionfruit, vanilla, citrus)
The vibe
Good for long, unplanned meals that stretch from coffee into cocktails, easy dates or catch-ups
Price for two: About Rs1,200 for two; Location
Downtown29
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The lowdown
In BKC, Downtown29 is a large indoor–outdoor bar and restaurant built for after-work drinking and group dining. The menu features global small plates and comfort mains, from dim sums and baos to pulao and bhattiwala, while the cocktail list keeps things interesting, making it as much a bar as it is a restaurant.
House picks
Thecha chicken sheesh tawouk, prawn hargao, edamame phyllo parcels, crispy wasabi prawns, chicken bhattiwala. Cocktails like Cacao Negroni, Strawberry Picante, Thai Affair and Delusional, and desserts like Lotus Biscoff cheesecake and tiramisu
The vibe
Good for after-work drinks and dinner in BKC
Price for two: About Rs2,200 for two; Location
Cafe Como Xo
