Culinary Experiences To Add To Your Diwali Plans In 2026

Festivities are knocking on our doors, and few things bring people together quite like a good meal. In India, where food is an integral part of every celebration, there is always a reason to gather around the table. With Diwali just around the corner, we have rounded up a few favourites to explore this season, from fine dining in the capital to cocktails, brunches and coffees in Mumbai and Bengaluru, to help you plan your festive outings.

Le Cirque at The Leela Palace, New Delhi

Long regarded as one of the capital’s most iconic culinary destinations, Le Cirque at The Leela Palace New Delhi has unveiled a thoughtfully evolved menu, led by Head Chef Vashisht Kumar, that offers a more contemporary and ingredient-driven expression of its celebrated Franco-Italian philosophy. Among the highlights of the menu are the Hokkaido Scallop Crudo, Sweet Pea & Parsley Risotto with King Crab, Paprika Glazed Lamb Chop and Parmesan Crusted Rock Lobster, each crafted to show clarity, balance and precision through delicate curing techniques, clean emulsions and meticulous temperature control. The flavours lean towards a brighter and more vibrant style, balancing Mediterranean freshness with the richness and depth of classical French gastronomy, while fresh herbs and restrained seasoning keep every dish elegant yet expressive. Exceptional sourcing remains central to the menu, with intuitive service and understated elegance ensuring each moment lingers after the final course.

Discover more about the experience on their website.

Lebanese Food Festival, Hotel Marine Plaza, Mumbai

From mezze platters and baked pita to smoky grills, creamy hummus and nutty baklava, Lebanese food is an irresistible mix of textures and flavours, and The Bayview at Hotel Marine Plaza in Mumbai celebrates it with a Lebanese Food Festival from October 30 to November 7, 2026. At the helm is Chef Jameela Ghani, whose culinary journey of over 27 years has produced signature dishes such as Qouzi, a stuffed baby lamb preparation, and Kunafa, a baked cheese pastry. The menu features Middle Eastern favourites such as falafel, classic hummus, shish tawook (grilled chicken skewers) and salona ma lahm, followed by traditional desserts including baklava, mahalabia and um ali.

Explore the menu and more on their website.

Islands of Bombay at Blah!

Blah!’s Islands of Bombay cocktail menu offers eight cocktails inspired by the city’s original islands, among them Colaba Trade Wind, Parel Mill Miso, Mahim Coconut Grove and Sashti Sweet Memory, with ingredients ranging from pomelo, coconut and cherry tomatoes to miso, date-sesame orgeat and milk-washed spirits. The menu is laser-cut into the shape of the islands it represents, crafted in navy acrylic with gold typography. Alongside it comes Blah!’s festive Indian food edit, a fitting choice for Diwali get-togethers, with malai jalapeño cheese kulcha, four cheese tikka, smoky mutton galawati, smoked dal makhani with jeera rice and Awadhi-style butter chicken.

Find out more on their official website.

Sunday Unbrunch at Sorena, Mumbai

With just two Sundays to go before Diwali, what if your next Sunday brunch came with a passport? At Sorena’s Sunday Unbrunch in Bandra, diners can move between Mumbai, New York, Sicily, Istanbul and Tokyo through a menu that brings flavours from five cities under one roof, beginning with loaded nachos, smash sliders and burrito bowls, and continuing to biryani, risottos and ravioli. Desserts take the global theme further, with tiramisu éclair, baklava baked cheesecake, hojicha pudding and banoffee tart, while a made-to-order egg station offers everything from sunny-side up to masala eggs and akuri. It runs every Sunday from 12 PM onwards at Mansionz One, Linking Road, Bandra.

Visit their website to explore the full offering.

Jaggeries of India at Maverick & Farmer, Multiple Locations

Maverick & Farmer has launched Jaggeries of India, a limited-edition coffee menu that pays homage to the art of jaggery-making across four beverages, available at all its Bengaluru outlets and in Anjuna, Goa. Coconut Four Ways pairs coconut palm jaggery from Tamil Nadu with a 24-hour cold brew, tender coconut water and tender coconut ice cream, while The Lucky Bastar draws its sweetness from Mahua flowers, paired with a Parama Ristretto. Inspired by Kerala's traditional flavours, Chukka Kaapi brings together Marayoor jaggery, organic ginger, dried tulsi and Malabar pepper. Kung Fu Pandan, meanwhile, combines freeze-distilled milk and ristretto with fresh pandan extract and Mangaluru Bella.

Head to their website for more details.