Author: Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad

Hidden Haven Every city has that one place everyone talks about but very few have actually been to. In Hyderabad, that place is See. At a time when restaurants are busy chasing Instagram reels, influencer collaborations and online reservations, See has quietly chosen the opposite route. Hidden inside TheySee in Jubilee Hills, this intimate 22 seater cocktail bar has no public reservations, no walk ins and no visible social media presence. You get in because someone who has already experienced it believes you should too. The mystery begins with a bright red door, open it and the city disappears. Bathed…

India’s restaurant industry has embraced premiumisation over the past few years. From chef-led tasting menus to experiential dining spaces, consumers are increasingly willing to pay for ambience as much as the food. Yet one category has largely remained outside this transformation: classic North Indian cuisine. Amit Bagga, co-founder and CEO of Daryaganj believes it is time to change that. With the launch of Daryaganj GOLD, the restaurant chain is betting that Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani and Kebabs deserve the same premium setting that diners have come to associate with modern Indian or global cuisines. The move comes as the company…

Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad The traditional playbook of filling rooms and maximising occupancy is beginning to lose its dominance in India’s luxury hospitality sector as changing consumer preferences force hotels to rethink how they generate revenue. While occupancy, Average Daily Rate (ADR) and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) remain the industry’s benchmark indicators, evolving demand for experiential dining, wellness, entertainment, destination weddings and blended business-leisure travel is steadily reshaping commercial strategies. In Bengaluru, one of the country’s most competitive hotel markets, operators are increasingly diversifying beyond room sales, with ancillary businesses emerging as critical profit centres. According to Sushma Khichar,…

As geopolitical uncertainty, rising international travel costs, and the Prime Minister’s appeal to avoid non-essential foreign travel begin to reshape travel decisions, India’s hospitality industry finds itself at a defining inflection point. What may have once been read as a short term behavioural shift is now increasingly being seen by industry leaders as the trigger for a deeper structural change, the rise of a more diversified and resilient domestic tourism economy. Even before this shift gained momentum, the sector was already demonstrating steady underlying strength. According to the HVS ANAROCK Hospitality Monitor, April 2026 saw average room rates holding between…

India’s hospitality sector is in the midst of a defining phase, one marked not by short-term cycles, but by deep structural transformation. Domestic travel demand, evolving consumer aspirations, and rapid infrastructure development are collectively reshaping the industry’s growth trajectory, while new asset classes and investment models are redefining how hospitality is conceived, built, and operated. In this exclusive conversation, Manav Thadani, Managing Director, Hotelivate-Savills, offers a nuanced perspective on the forces powering this momentum and the long-term implications for India’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem. Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad India’s hospitality sector is witnessing unprecedented growth. What are the key forces…

Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad As India’s urban workforce becomes increasingly mobile and students continue to migrate to education and employment hubs, the managed living sector is undergoing a significant transformation. What was once viewed as an alternative accommodation option is now evolving into a lifestyle-driven category where convenience, community and experience play an equally important role. At the forefront of this shift is Tribe Stays, a managed living platform that is building a hospitality-led ecosystem for students, young professionals and corporate travellers. For Shantam Mehra, Co-Founder of Tribe Stays, the future of managed living extends far beyond providing a bed…

The culinary traditions of Lucknow found a temporary home in Hyderabad at Permit To Grill at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, which hosted Daawat-e-Lucknow, a specially curated Awadhi food festival led by Chef Samad Khan, Chef de Partie at Mercure Lucknow Gomti Nagar. The festival which will run till 14th June aims to introduce diners to the authentic flavours, cooking techniques, and culinary heritage of Lucknow, beyond the familiar Awadhi biryani and kebabs. For Chef Khan, the festival is not just about serving food but about showcasing a culture. “We wanted guests to experience Lucknowi cuisine exactly as it is prepared in…

Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad As Hyderabad’s food and beverage landscape becomes increasingly crowded, restaurant operators are being forced to think beyond menus and locations. For Stuff Foods LLP, the strategy revolves around identifying untapped consumer segments, creating differentiated concepts and building a scalable backend that can support rapid expansion. Founded by Sandeep Kintali, Co-Founder, Stuff Foods LLP, and Ankit Patel, Founder & Managing Partner, Stuff Foods LLP, the company has built a multi-brand portfolio comprising Yolk Theory, Stuff Idli, and Kulchas, each catering to a distinct consumer need while operating within a common ecosystem of operational efficiency and innovation. “Kulchas…

With extensive experience in India’s alco-bev industry, Arundeep Singla, Chairman & Managing Director of Alcostar Group of Companies, has been instrumental in building premium brands and driving innovation in the sector. In an exclusive interview with Asmita Mukherjee, Singla shares his insights on evolving consumer preferences, premiumisation trends, hospitality partnerships, and the future growth of the alco-bev market in India. How is the alco-bev segment evolving from being an add-on revenue stream to becoming a key profitability driver for hotels and restaurants? The alco-bev segment is no longer seen as a secondary support category for hospitality businesses. In hotels, restaurants,…

In a dining landscape crowded with Pan-Asian restaurants, YouMee has built a personality that feels instantly recognisable.Part of the Lite Bite Foods portfolio – the hospitality group behind brands such as Punjab Grill, YouMee has steadily expanded its footprint across India, appealing to a generation of diners who seek experiences that go beyond the plate. Its blend of Asian comfort food, manga-inspired storytelling and vibrant interiors has helped the brand cultivate a loyal following in cities across the country. At the Nexus Mall outlet in Kukatpally, Hyderabad that identity is evident. The space truly is a visual nod to contemporary…