HBI Staff | Hyderabad 
Ishtaa, the premium vegetarian brand specializing in authentic recipes from generational Telugu kitchens, launches in Jayanagar, Bangalore. Riding on Ishtaa’s tremendous success in Hyderabad, the brand makes an impressive mark in Bangalore before opening in Ahmedabad soon.
The Hyderabad-based culinary dining experience from Teja Chekuri’s portfolio is rooted in tradition and aims to redefine vegetarian food for patrons. Tucked away in a quiet green corner of Jayanagar on a bustling lane, it is aptly situated on Temple Road.
Ishtaa offers a wide variety of traditional dishes that you would only find in traditional Telugu households. With a different menu for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner along with a delectable array of traditional sweets, the brand showcases the best vegetarian food that the cuisine has to offer. With four successful outlets in Hyderabad spread across Jubilee Hills, Kokapet, Basherbagh and Gachibowli they are now entering Bangalore with a sprawling 10,000 sq ft in a landmark location. Set in a charming bungalow the intimately rustic ambiance envelops guests in an atmosphere that perfectly balances warm hospitality with the nostalgia of dining in a quintessential Indian home.
From the portfolio of seasoned entrepreneur and restauranter Teja Chekuri, Ishtaa brings the artistry of vegetarian Telugu cuisine to patrons. Commenting on the launch in Bangalore, Teja said, “From the early days of Indian history, vegetarianism has significantly influenced almost all the cuisines of India. Even though the cuisine is diverse across state lines, there is always a core vegetarian dish that binds it together. At Ishtaa, we aim to revive, redefine, and bring back the delicate and nuanced flavors of our traditional recipes that have been passed on through generations. At Ishtaa, we are dedicated to creating an immersive dining experience for our patrons, grounded in the timeless principles of Indian hospitality that are integral to our culture and traditions.”
Each Ishtaa space across locations is spacious and tastefully decorated with minimalist traditional elements that come together to bring alive the essence of the concept. The Bangalore space embraces Vastu Shastra, and is divided into distinct pockets, each offering a unique dining experience. The voluminous space merges the tall ceilings with a rhythmic alternation of fine brick perforations and glazing, opening the facade and bringing the outdoors indoors.
Founded by Teja Chekuri, a global entrepreneur in the food & beverage space, he has successfully established several brand concepts across various cuisines. However, he has championed Telugu cuisine through all of them, introducing subtle flavours of the cuisine into various brands.
Teja is not new to Bangalore’s culinary scene. His past endeavors include the renowned United Telugu kitchens and Ironhill Bengaluru, which have had a lasting impact on the city’s culinary culture. Now, riding on Ishtaa’s success in Hyderabad, he intends to add a vegetarian gem to the city.
Under Teja Chekuri’s ownership, Ishtaa is now a part of his group of restaurants that include United Telugu Kitchens (UTK), Godavari, Ironhill India, Prost, Madras Dosa Co, Khiladi, 1947 Truly Indian, Vaanga, Passage to India, Boston, Don’t Tell Aunty, and Rosebud in the US and Canada. UTK and Ishtaa are his main Indian ventures in the food industry.
