Meet creativity, not meat!
Vegetarian meals that feed the soul, inspire conversations and business deals! Dr Apurva Chamaria, global head of venture capital & startups at Google, lists his top 10 restaurants in India and abroad for memorable plant forward dining— that goes beyond five types of paneer, (or a side of salad)
By Dr Apurva Chamaria
My work takes me to every corner of the country — boardrooms in Mumbai, tech parks in Gurgaon, conclaves in Goa, policy meetings in Delhi. In this whirlwind of suitcases and slide decks, one of the few rituals I hold sacred is the search for a memorable meal. I’m a firm believer that where you eat shapes how you experience a place. Food is not just fuel — it’s a mood, a memory, a marker of culture. As a vegetarian, I’ve often had to dig deeper to find dishes that delight beyond paneer in five forms. But the last few years have been a revelation — with India’s dining scene embracing thoughtful, inventive, and luxurious vegetarian fare like never before.
Here are my favourite restaurants that I keep returning to. I cherish them not just for their food, but for the worlds they create. They allow me to connect — with colleagues, with friends, with myself. They show me how luxury can be quiet, how creativity doesn’t always need meat, and how vegetables, when treated with imagination, can surprise even the most sceptical palate. So, here’s my suggestion: the next time you travel, choose your dinner table as carefully as your hotel. Let your plate reflect your curiosity. And if you find yourself at one of these places, try the vegetarian option — you just might leave converted!
Kamei, Eldeco Centre, Delhi NCR – Minimalist calm, maximalist flavour. Kamei is the kind of restaurant that doesn’t announce itself loudly. Nestled within Eldeco Centre, it feels more like a discovery than a destination. But step in, and the mood shifts — clean lines, soft lighting, and a quietly confident menu that delivers far more than it promises. As a vegetarian, you’re in for subtle delights. Their Truffle Edamame Dumplings are pure comfort — earthy, silky, and gone too soon. I always pair it with the Yaki Udon with seasonal vegetables, which balances gentle smokiness with a perfect soy-kissed warmth. It’s my go-to when I want a calm setting to think, to talk, or sometimes just to eat without the noise. There’s elegance here — not just in the ambience, but in how the kitchen respects vegetables as stars, not sides.
Jamun, Assagao, Goa A homestyle hug in a Portuguese villa
Goa is often thought of in binaries — beach shacks or fine-dine glamour. But Jamun in Assagao is neither — and all the better for it. Set in a lovingly restored heritage home, it evokes a nostalgia that’s hard to pin down but easy to feel. The menu travels across Indian geographies, but it’s the Goan and coastal-inspired vegetarian options that have my heart. The Mango Curry, paired with Goan red rice, is a revelation — hearty, spiced just right, and entirely plant-powered. Another quiet star: the Jamun drink, delicate but layered with depth. I’ve had leisurely brunches here with friends, and thoughtful dinners with strangers I have bumped into . It’s a place where conversations slow down, and every bite feels personal.
Vellum at The Kitchens, Gurgaon— Southern fire, plated with grace. The Kitchens in Gurgaon is a curated dining destination, and Vellum is its crown jewel — a space where you feel the chef’s respect for technique and ingredients in equal measure. South Indian food steps into the spotlight with elegance and imagination. This isn’t your usual idli-dosa fare — it’s a finely curated experience where every dish is rooted in tradition, yet refreshingly modern. As a vegetarian, I am delighted by the Malabar Chilli Mushroom — fiery, umami-rich, and perfectly crisped. The Water Chestnut Pepper fry surprises with its texture and depth, a clever play on a classic. And for dessert, the Lychee Payasam — light, floral, and just the right touch of sweet — is a standout finish. This is where I go when I crave something soulful, but with polish —right in the heart of Gurgaon.
Cena Pranzo, Grand Hyatt Gurgaon— An Italian embrace. Cena Pranzo at the Grand Hyatt Gurgaon manages to pull off something remarkable — it transports you to Italy without clichés. The decor is refined, the service seamless, and the menu has fresh, honest flavours. It brings out the soul of Italy with its sunlit interiors, open kitchens, and dishes that let fresh ingredients shine. My favourites here are both vegetarian and deeply satisfying. The Ortolana Pizza, topped with roasted vegetables and bubbling mozzarella on a crisp wood-fired base, is rustic perfection. The Mushroom Tagliatelle, rich with earthy porcini and finished in a silky cream sauce, is comfort food elevated. I’ve hosted business partners here and seen them go from formal to smiling in minutes — that’s the Cena Pranzo effect. It’s a place that turns a meal into a shared memory. Whether it’s a quiet lunch or a celebratory dinner, it is always refined, relaxed, and delicious.
Trèsind Mumbai– Indian food, reimagined. Dining at Trèsind is an experience — and I don’t use that word lightly. It’s where Indian flavours meet molecular magic, where plating is performance, and where every course tells a story. But behind the showmanship lies deep respect for tradition. Their Modern Chaat Trolley, with live assembly at the table, includes several vegetarian gems. But the true showstopper is the Smoked Mushroom Galouti on saffron sheermal — a vegetarian tribute to Awadhi depth, with all the drama and none of the meat. What I love about Trèsind is how it also celebrates plant-based ingredients their own moment. If you’re looking to host global guests or mark a special evening, this is where modern India serves its most dazzling plate.
Avartana, ITC Grand Chola, Chennai– Tradition transformed into tasting theatre. At Avartana, South Indian cuisine is elevated to fine-dining poetry. Their vegetarian tasting menus reinterpret staples: So you have distilled tomato rasam, asparagus coconut stew, and sago curd rice with refined techniques and beautiful presentation. Desserts like fennel pannacotta and popping payasam pearls add a playful finish. It’s where I dine when I want Chennai’s heritage, reimagined with global elegance.
Gauthier Soho, London– Michelin-starred vegan French fine dining. Once a classical French restaurant, Gauthier Soho made headlines when Chef Alexis Gauthier boldly transformed the entire menu into a 100 per cent plant-based offering. Set in a Georgian townhouse in the heart of London, the experience is intimate, refined, and unapologetically vegan. The Smoked Tofu and Leek Millefeuille and Truffle Tortellini are exquisite in both technique and flavour. What I admire most here is the chef’s commitment — not just to taste, but to ethics and sustainability. A must-visit when in London for both its cuisine and its conviction.
Wild & The Moon, Dubai Plant-based café meets urban chic. In a city known for extravagance, Wild & The Moon offers something beautifully pared down — a fully plant-based, organic menu focused on clean eating and bold, vibrant flavours. Think less white tablecloths and more conscious indulgence. Their Zaatar Beetroot Hummus Bowl and Supergreen Falafel Wrap are everyday dishes made extraordinary. The café doubles as a creative hub, often frequented by designers and wellness seekers. It’s my go-to Dubai stop for a reset — equal parts nourishment and inspiration.
Eleven Madison Park, New York City– The world’s most luxurious plant-based menu. Once crowned the world’s best restaurant, Eleven Madison Park stunned the culinary world when it transitioned to an entirely plant-based menu. But make no mistake — this is not about restriction. It’s about reinvention. Their Celery Root en Croûte, Sunflower Butter with Sprouted Grains, and Black Truffle Dumplings are as luxurious as any meat-based counterpart. The presentation is art, the service impeccable, and the storytelling with each course unforgettable. Dining here isn’t a meal — it’s an experience you carry with you.
Shizen, San Francisco– Vegan sushi with precision and soul. Shizen is unlike any sushi restaurant I’ve visited — vegan, inventive, and deeply respectful of Japanese culinary principles. Located in San Francisco’s Mission District, it pairs sustainability with surprise. The Open Invitation Roll, made with spicy tofu and smoked eggplant, and the Nigiri Flight with yuba, enoki, and marinated tomato, redefine what sushi can be without fish. Shizen proves that skill, not seafood, makes sushi sublime. It’s become a personal pilgrimage spot whenever I’m in the Bay Area.
A Few Unexpected Loves
There are a few unexpected gems I must mention beyond the above list. In Bengaluru, Sly Granny serves a Roasted Cauliflower Steak with gremolata that’s comfort food dressed in couture. In Jaipur, Bar Palladio, known for its blue interiors, offers a Beetroot Tikki with feta that’s as bold as the decor.
