5 New Restaurants In Hyderabad Featuring Vernacular Architecture, Art Deco Murals And Mesmerizing Ceiling Techniques

In the bustling culinary landscape of Hyderabad, a resurgence of evocative design is imminent. The thoughtful integration of in-situ materials—such as handmade bricks, terracotta tiles and natural stone—pays homage to Hyderabad’s architectural narrative, while also supporting sustainability. Artisanal touches, including bespoke lighting installations and furnishings, further enhance the sensory experience, reflecting the city’s heartfelt appreciation for craftsmanship. This harmonious blend of heritage and innovation sets the stage for a new era in Hyderabad’s dining culture. Here are five standout restaurants where exceptional design meets culinary artistry, redefining the city’s gastronomic scene this season.

1. KOKO, HITEC City – A Paean To Chinese Nobility

Tasked with envisioning a contemporary Asian fusion restaurant, award-winning interior designer Sarah Sham of Essajees Atelier revisited the visual trajectory of Neo-Imperial Chinoiserie to craft KOKO’s stunning interiors. Nestled in HITEC City, KOKO spans an expansive 10,000 sq ft, effortlessly integrating a stylish bar, a lounge, a grand dining area and the KOKO Suite for more esoteric gatherings. The journey begins with the iconic ‘Red Tunnel,’ a curved passageway fashioned from red-tinted acrylic and illuminated with concealed LED lighting. Black marble pathways paired with concentric travertine inlay patterns evoke the grandeur of 17th-century Rococo palaces.

The main dining area features a rich selection of emerald green, crimson and gold—chosen to evoke prosperity and auspicious energy. Plush velvet booths, soaring 19-foot ceilings and intimate low-slung nooks overhung with an oak wood canopy establish a dynamic interplay of space and light. The space is further enlivened by natural elements, with tall bamboo plants, orchids and bonsai trees, while ornate chandeliers reminiscent of pagoda roofs keep the sense of delicious anticipation intact. KOKO’s menu brings this odyssey to a fitting climax with its quintessential Asian flavours, with highlights such as the ‘Lobster & Caviar Dumpling’ and ‘Miso-Glazed Black Cod,’ deftly accompanied by signature drinks like the ‘Tom Yum Cup’ and ‘Miso Caliente.’ 

DP Loves: The hand-painted dome ceiling in the KOKO Suite is the pièce de résistance that transforms the private dining space into an awe-inspiring mise-en-scene.

2. Tabula Rasa 2.0, Jubilee Hills – A Masterclass In Juxtaposition

Tucked away in a leafy cul-de-sac, Tabula Rasa 2.0 emerges as a much-needed cultural respite with its open-to-sky music venue and an immersive dining experience. Designed by 23 Degrees Design Shift, this 14,770 sq ft oasis thrives on its ability to create fluid transitions between indoors and outdoors. The semi-open bar, enclosed bar and verandah are interconnected by slide-open glazing systems that blur spatial boundaries, creating opportunities for discovery. The main structure is a thoughtful amalgamation of concrete and steel, the segmented sloped roof appearing to float above solid walls, composing a dialogue between weight and lightness.

Grey cement oxide plaster serves as a unifying canvas, exuding an industrial charm while allowing the other elements to shine. The floors are sheathed in rough jet-black granite indoors, providing a stark, textural contrast to the warm acacia wood furniture. In the courtyard, ‘lakha’ red granite adds a subtle vibrancy, reflecting the hues of Hyderabad’s heritage façades. The gastronomical offerings at Tabula Rasa 2.0 like ‘Avakai Chicken Tikka,’ ‘Vegetable Stew with Herbed Rice’ and fresh juice cocktails are memorable enough to win over even the most discerning palates.

DP Loves: The installation of large wicker panels suspended from the sloped roof subtly echoes the restaurant’s ethos of blending modernity with timeless charm.

Also Read: 3 New Restaurants In Hyderabad: An Exploration Of Telugu Cuisine, An Ode To Natural Architecture And A Bohemian Oasis

3. Terrāi, HITEC City — A Tradition Reimagined

Hyderabad’s diaphanous artistry in Ikat textiles can trace its origins to the 12th century. This intricate dyeing and weaving technique is embedded into the very fabric of Terrāi, a 12,000-square-foot establishment designed by Sona Reddy Studio. Amidst the corporate highrises of HITEC City, the restaurant unfurls as a lyrical counterpoint, a celebration of tradition reimagined. The journey commences with a vivid blue metal door embellished with ikat-inspired handles, a prelude to the sensory feast within. Terracotta walls radiate barmy benevolence, while stretched fabric lights and stained glass windows scatter kaleidoscopic hues, eliciting the lurid beauty of a flower festival.

A pink sandstone planter ledge in the lobby offers a grounding touch, leading visitors into a space divided into four distinct zones: a grand main dining hall, a communal area accommodating up to 40 guests, two private dining rooms and a tranquil al fresco section awash in dappled sunlight through teeming philodendrons. Cultural nuances unfold with every detail—the rhythmic patterns of Dokra metalwork, stepped frames modelled upon the abandoned step wells of the region and repurposed historical doors. The inventive fare at Terrāi is best described as ‘Neo-Telangana’ with unforgettable offerings like ‘Upma with Mutton Chops,’ ‘Chepala Pulusu’ and the indulgent ‘Raan Biryani’ rehashing homegrown flavours with a tincture of novelty. 

DP Loves: The Bathukamma-inspired lights, large-scale fixtures that are impossible to miss and infuse a spirit of festivity into the design language.

Also Read: From Mediterranean To Asian—Ahmedabad’s Pepito Takes You On A Culinary Voyage

4. Aidu, Jubilee Hills – A Feast For All Five Senses

A tour de force from restaurateur Aman Chainani and his partner Shreya Anand, the meticulously planned and exuberantly illuminated Aidu is another heartwarming oasis at Jubilee Hills. What sets this space apart from the others is how masterfully the design language incorporates South Indian craftsmanship, organic materials and plush high-concept dining. Its earthy decadence besieges your five senses right at the entrance with the cutwork jaali staircase treads and interactive partitions, featuring traditional ‘muggu’ motifs, that spin when you touch them. Ameet Mirpuri’s design team generously dipped into a freewheeling inventory of coffered ceilings, flowery murals and herringbone patterns to take you back to homegrown Mangalorean sensibilities. The colour palette of soothing greens, mustard yellow and terracotta is redolent of sweet nostalgia, accentuated by rattan-backed chairs and louvred wooden wall panels.

The culinary odyssey must be relished with all five fingers, a lip-smacking deep dive into extraordinary vegetarian selections like the ‘Jackfruit Cutlets,’ ‘Ghee Roast Paneer,’ ‘Avakai Soya Chaap,’ the signature ‘Thengaipaal Koni Biryani’ and a soul-nourishing bowl of ‘Gutthi Vankaya.; Wash it down with either a tall, chilled glass of the coconut ‘nannari’ or their ‘Baba Budan’s Brewtini’ that reimagines filter coffee as a Kahlua and vodka cocktail.

DP Loves: A concrete and fibreglass wall tying the whole space together with its South Indian ‘dishti bomma’ motifs conceptualised by Kartik Krupanand.

Also Read: Sourcing Secrets With Hyderabad-Based Architect Sona Reddy

5. Forefathers, Jubilee Hills – A Gabled Reverie 

The Forefathers Restaurant and Bar is a beautiful mirage brought to life by 23 Degrees Design Shift, eloquently blending vernacular architecture with avant-garde design. A concrete-steel composite structure, the building spans three levels with a triple-height central space, incorporating a mezzanine and an open courtyard. At the core of the design stands a pitched roof supported by distinctive four-legged V-shaped columns. 

The mezzanine, featuring a bar counter, extends towards the semi-open rear canopy, ellipsing the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Throughout the space, household materials such as handmade bricks, terracotta tiles and fly ash command centre stage, reflecting the essence of local craftsmanship. The gabled roofing system, crafted from glass and terracotta tiles, creates a captivating chiaroscuro of light and shadow, enhancing the dynamic spatial experience. This effect is further accentuated by a sculptural lighting installation by Baaya Design Studio, which highlights the rich heritage of indigenous handicrafts like Kalamkari and Pochampally.

The menu and cocktails at Forefathers mirror the architectural concept—evanescent, experimental and heavily entrenched in heritage. Signature cocktails like ‘Idukki Gold,’ ‘Pharaoh’s Curse 2.0’ and ‘Lost Inheritance’ wash down well with delicacies like ‘Kerala Mushroom Pepper Fry,’ ‘Massaman Curry’ & ‘Jasmine Rice’ and the must-try ‘Kerala Style Pulled Chicken Quesadillas.’ 

DP Loves: The square glass inserts along the feature wall, allow daylight to cast shifting shadows, their geometry subjective to the sun’s angle.