The best restaurants in Delhi, India span everything from traditional street food to exceedingly good Vietnamese cuisine. But if you’re looking for a stylish meal that highlights dishes from North India with an atmosphere of theatricality, then Loya, located inside the divine Taj Palace, New Delhi needs to be on your list. Raghav Modi recently went along to sample the goods.
While this reservation was hosted, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Loya at Taj Palace, New Delhi review
Step into Loya at Taj Palace and you’re instantly transported into a space where heritage meets luxury. The arched entryway and hanging lanterns lend a distinct, North Indian character, evoking a caravanserai-inspired atmosphere. The open kitchen adds energy to the room, while earthy materials, carved décor pieces, and curated artefacts enhance the storytelling element of the space.
The ambience
The gentle sound of flowing water, warm lights, and a perfectly crafted drink in hand. This isn’t just a bar — it’s a mood. The sound of the water adds a subtle serenity to the room — grounding, calming, almost meditative. It balances the richness of the interiors with a sense of movement and life.
One of the most captivating elements is the large glass windows that look straight into the kitchen. Unlike the high-stress chaos you see in shows like The Bear, this kitchen moves with quiet precision. There’s a visible calmness among the chefs, focused, composed, and completely in sync. That sense of ease and control subtly reflects in the food that arrives at your table: thoughtful, balanced, and beautifully executed.
What to expect
We were impressed with all of the mocktails and cocktails we sampled
Loya champions Northern Indian cuisine reimagined, bold, authentic, and layered with traditional techniques like dhungar (smoking), baghar (tempering) and dum (slow cooking). Signature starters such as Dal ki Chaat and Timbri Jhinga bring punchy flavours and creativity to the table, while mains showcase a thoughtful balance of spice, smoke and texture.
The restaurant also serves some of the best cocktails in town. Whether it’s a smoky, spice-accented signature creation or a beautifully balanced classic with a twist, the bar menu delivers creativity and presentation in equal measure. What sets Loya’s cocktails apart is their thoughtful storytelling. Inspired by regional ingredients and adventurous mixology techniques, these drinks aren’t just refreshing, they’re conversation starters.
Time for the magic
Served tableside, the preparation of the Dal Ki Chaat feels more like a performance than mere plating
The Dal Ki Chaat at Loya isn’t just served, it’s performed. The dish, rather its ingredients, arrive partially assembled on a trolley by the side of the table, and then the magic happens. The final toppings are added right in front of you, layered textures, chutneys, crunch, and finishing touches. There’s something indulgent about watching it being completed just inches away. The aroma rises, the colours pop, and the anticipation builds.
The Chukh Paneer takes the classic paneer tikka and adds a regional twist. Chukh is a beautifully aromatic chilli paste from Himachal Pradesh, made with sun-dried red chillies, garlic, and local spices. More tangy and less hot, it gives the soft charred paneer a smoky and deeply earthy flavour. As someone who isn’t always a fan of hot and spicy food, chukh stands out for its complex flavours rather than overpowering the entire dish with its spiciness.
At Loya, the Bhunnu Murg is packed full of flavour
Bhunnu Murg is a celebration of slow cooking and bold North Indian flavours. The chicken is roasted in its own juices with aromatic spices until the masala turns rich, intense, and beautifully caramelised. Every bite is smoky, hearty, and packed with depth. Complimenting the murg skewers is the Chulathi roti, promising a nutty aroma, hearty texture, and slight chewiness.
The sweet finale
Decadent in both design and flavour, we were big fans of the Kulfi Pops for dessert
The Kulfi Pop is a true show-stopper. It takes the classic, creamy Indian kulfi and transforms it into a playful, elevated treat. Served as four bite-sized pops, it’s intensely tasty — rich cardamom-saffron, paan, malai, and rose petal— with a luxuriously dense texture that’s both nostalgic and refined. The pop design adds a fun, modern twist while keeping the heart of traditional Indian ice cream intact.
Learn more about Loya at Taj Palace, New Delhi
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