Sculptural Bars & Fluid Forms: Inside Bengaluru’s 5 Stunning New Restaurants

The experience of dining out is no longer just about the gastronomy. Bengaluru’s hospitality scene is at a crossroads of architectural storytelling and immersive spatial experiences. There’s a clear tilt towards fluidity, with undulating forms and organic materials lending warmth to modern structures, as seen in Lumara’s wave-like ferrocement walls or Comal’s rustic cantina-inspired interiors. Across the board, materiality is key—textured plaster, hand-beaten metals and artisanal tiles bring depth and authenticity to each of these spaces. DP curates the latest roundup of restaurants that exemplify Bengaluru’s evolving hospitality landscape that has quickly become a playground for experimental, sensorial design, deeply rooted in a multicultural ethos. 

1.Dali & Gala, MG Road – A Masterclass In Surrealism

Love at first sight between Spanish artist Salvador Dalí and his muse Gala, was torrential enough to shake up the art world back in the 1930s when surrealism was approaching its climax. Drawing upon their rather eccentric, Oedipean romance, Dali & Gala is a 69-seater unadulterated cocktail bar, brimming with libidinous art objects and campy tchotchkes that reveal their secrets to you in their own sweet time. A rather precocious brainchild of restaurateurs Vipin Raman and Siddharth Kerkar (the artistic associate behind many of Raman’s Goan bars), Dali & Gala does not shy away from the macabre iconography of peeping eyes, monstrous sea creatures and interactive installations. The 2,500 sq. ft. space—demarcated into seven distinctively themed sections—is unified by a compelling design language elevated with Art Deco lamps, sculptures that play with smoke and mirrors, and a decadent bar counter that languishes under a menagerie of hand-beaten copper eyes.

Designed and breathed into existence by Jatin Hukkeri of WDA Spaces and Jayesh Hukkeri, co-founder of Craft CoDe, this bizarre and immersive tavern is a labyrinth of whimsical corners. Keep an eye out for fluttering butterflies, an unsuspecting lobster arm crawling out of the pipes, liveried waiters with elf ears escorting you to the smoking room and Dali heads rotating when you’re not paying attention.

The Burmese delicacies on their menu, an extension of Sopo’s menu (another bar owned by Raman and Kerkar), have been masterminded by Chef Yong and are an interesting amalgam of cold plates, grilled skewers and booze-friendly Hors d’oeuvres. Their pickled tea leaf salad served with house crackers pairs well with an interestingly garnished cocktail like ‘Phone Sex’ or the ‘Disco Porn’. 

DP Loves: The Rooster Room showcases artworks that play a double entendre upon cockerels and cocktails as a nod to the unbridled sensuality of surrealism. 

Also Read: A Touch Of Surrealism: Dalí’s Iconic Sculpture Finds Home In Mumbai’s Retail World

2. Siren, Lavelle Road – Old School Chinoiserie

Theatrical, sultry and sophisticated, the interiors of Siren are an ephemeral ode to mid-eighteenth-century Chinoiserie that never fails to satiate the visual appetite. Complete with swirling dragons in neon, rococo velvet seating and fanciful paper lanterns, this concept cocktail bar is an eclectic mix of lounge, fine-dine and luxurious Beijing nightlife ambience. From the makers of veteran pan-Asian establishments like The Fatty Bao and Cantan, this latest venture by the Olive Group of Restaurants in partnership with Tushar Fernandes and Nikhil Chittiappa of Silverback Ventures LLP is a chic spot to be whether on a date or a girls’ night out. A host of effervescent design elements like a suspended canoe overgrown with lush vegetation, moody curtains and exotic floral wallpapers ensconce the patrons in an air of dramatic intrigue.

From the mooncake-infused delights of the Mid-Autumn Festival to the savoury, invigorating flavours of the Lunar New Year, the menu at Siren is abound in reimagined creations such as the Grilled Scallops with Bacon Jam, Five Spice Chicken Wings and their lavishly glazed Sticky Pork Ribs to name a few. Their captivating libations like the ‘Whisper In The Sky’ and ‘Remember Jie’ are a fascinating culmination of modern mixology and the ancient customs of the harvest season. 

DP Loves: The archaic Chinese lanterns, which imbue a soft touch to the entry foyer.

Also Read: 10 New Restaurants In Bangalore Pushing Food & Design With Landscaping, Sculptural Art and More

3. Comal, Ashok Nagar — A Mexican Reverie

Modelled on a Mexico City cantina, Comal is an immersive 40-seater grandmother’s kitchen come to life with rustic Talavera tiles, timeless brick walls and nostalgic Dia de Los Muertos iconography. This restaurant was designed by architect Pronoti Chabbi of StudioGrain, with a live kitchen at its heart where the journey of every taco begins. A cobbled verandah flanked by a viridian green and salmon peach arched façade sets the tone as you walk in through the striking blue door. Cantilevered tables placed against the walls in narrow passages, canvas art frames adorning the distressed green and patina walls, coupled with an expansive mural by Bonda Soup Art Studio bring an enviable nonchalance that’s hard to resist.

When you dive into their menu, the unmissable dishes are their perfectly seared Carne asada, the lip-smacking ‘Pork Belly Chicharrones’ and an ‘Aguachile’ that can rival any abuela’s heirloom recipe book. A tall glass of cinnamon-laced Horchata or their iconic softies—soft, rich with a hint of rocksalt—strike a perfect note of fragrant finality.

DP Loves: A cactus light installation at one end of the verandah by Sanjay Bhat, which makes for an eccentric focal point.

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

4. Lumara, MG Road – A Paean To Soft, Flowing Lines

Akin to a gentle pause in a city that never stops moving, the circular windows and open spaces of this rooftop restaurant bar restaurant-bar orchestrate a constantly shifting interplay of sunlight, enunciating a warm connection to the beauty of central Bangalore around it. Founded by Arjun Hegde and Akshay Patil, Lumara is an oasis where you are encouraged to spend an entire day, watching the fluid transition from afternoon to the twilight hours rippling across its tall, wave-patterned Ferrocement walls. These walls, constructed from earthy and textured materials, mimic the movement of ocean waves in homage to Mediterranean-style architecture. The biophilic façade sinuously transitions into a main outdoor seating area on the mezzanine floor, offering a mystical panorama of the seaside rock cave-inspired signature bar.

Crafted from Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) with natural finishes, the geo-inspired bar manifests a rugged surface and burnt-orange hues that will remind the patrons of mesmerizing volcanic formations in Cappadocia, Turkey. The floors are elegantly sheathed in cement and vitrified tiles, complemented by marble texture paint, which lambently reflects the warm glow of statement jute lights. Conceptualised by ACME Design and led by Sunitha Reddy, this 9,000 ft ethereal sanctuary of plush cane furniture with cushioned seats and rope details crafted by Outer Space Design Studio, is where the divide between indoors and outdoors seems to disappear entirely. Lumara’s culinary fare features a tantalizing selection of globally inspired dishes like the refreshing ‘Granny Smith & Feta Salad,’ the delightfully crunchy ‘Kappa Mak’ or the smoky flavours of the ‘Angara Chicken Tikka.’ An impressive beverage programme, with signature cocktails such as the ‘Vintage Gimlet’ or the ‘Sulaimani,’ promises to elevate the dining experience to a whole new dimension.

DP Loves: How the architecture features soft, flowing lines with thoughtful fusion materials, striking a balance between sustainability and sophistication.

5. The Bier Library, Sarjapur – Rustic Meets Industrial Chic

There’s something rather futuristic about the juxtaposition of an exposed steel structure that stands bold and tall amidst a profusion of lush, landscaped greenery. This raw aesthetic is gracefully softened by a serene waterbody, creating a harmonious balance between nature and craftsmanship, in the second volume of The Bier Library on Sarjapur Road. Founded by Prashant Kunal, the brief for this industrial chic microbrewery was simple, according to interior designer Shruthi Sanghvi and her team at Balan + Nambisan Architects. Given the nature of the two-acre site and its terrain, the introverted design was then amplified by a large reflecting pool, multiple terraced levels bearing rock boulders and cascading like a waterfall at intervals, imbuing a sense of calm and Zen-like imperviousness. The two-storied structure hosts a high-octane brewhouse on the ground floor, with arched metal windows and rustic brick walls, while the craft beer enthusiasts congregate mostly around the double-height island bar. Ascending the single-flight cantilever staircase, you would find leather-upholstered couches and vibrantly coloured windows, which infuse a faintly cloistered vibe.

Also Read: 3 New Bars In Bangalore: Tap Into Cutting-Edge Design And A Fusion Of Global Flavours 

The Bier Library’s culinary offerings, helmed by Chef Seemanta Baruah, include a wide range of wood-fired pizzas, Japanese and Southeast Asian legacy preparation, North Indian street food and Mediterranean flavours. Their brewery serves close to 8-10 unique craft beer selections on tap to elevate your beverage experience. The succulent Fruited Wheat Ale, their deep ruby-red ‘Dunkel Lager’ and the silky smooth ‘Nitro Kaapi Milk Stout’ are brewed with precision, passion and for the most discerning palate.

DP Loves: The statement spiral staircase, ties the two large floor plates together, adding a much-needed pop of colour to the otherwise subdued concrete structure.