Indian Durbar

Indian Durbar is the ethnic restaurant at the swank Conrad Hotels located downtown. A curving passage leads you to it. A muted colour palette and subtle touches of gold give the place a look of elegance, in keeping with the menu which is inspired by the royal cuisines of India. There are private dining rooms for small, intimate gatherings.

Here, there’s an attempt to tell the stories woven into the dishes and the menu also includes some South Indian dishes, a nod to where the Conrad is located.

Specials on the menu include a very well done galouti kebab, with a silken texture and pleasing aromas and flavours. It’s served with an orange chutney that is sweet with a zesty citrus tang. Also on the menu is Buzith Chaman, a dish with Kashmiri origins. I was told, a poet wandering in the lovely forests of Kashmir, cooked this dish out in the open.

Then, there are the ‘royal’ dishes on the menu such as the Gosht Tar Kalia which comes from the house of Sailana. This is a fabulous lamb dish, combining tender meat immersed in a rich, velvet-textured gravy. It pairs beautifully with the roti stuffed with pistachio powder – making for a meal that is resonant with complex, yet subtle flavours. The Udaigiri Saag, also from a royal kitchen, is a medley of desi greens with a simple tempering and a good option for vegetarians.

Wrap up your meal at Indian Durbar with an intensely flavoured Coorg Filter Coffee Ice Cream.

There’s a decent wine list and spirits and cocktails to drink with your dinner at Indian Durbar. More recently, the restaurant has introduced a lavish thali for lunch.

Address: Conrad Hotels, Kensington Road, Ulsoor, Bengaluru 560008
Mob: +91 88841 14665
Meal for two: Approximately Rs.3,000 + taxes, without alcohol