New Delhi: On a Tuesday night, Rajouri Garden’s Ring Road had a soundtrack of its own. The restaurant Malgudi became a dance floor, with guests and staff grooving as Shankar Mahadevan belted out ‘Woh Ladki Hai Kahan’ from the 2001 hit film Dil Chahta Hai. Resisting was not on the menu.
“Kon kehta hai bhagwan khate nhi, tum Malgudi walo ki tarah khilate nhi (Who says God doesn’t eat, you don’t serve him like the people at Malgudi),” Madhavan sang in tune to the 2001 song, inviting cheers from customers and staff.
It was the official launch of Malgudi, Mahadevan’s vegetarian South Indian resto-cafe, which opened its doors on 18 September. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari was in attendance as the special guest for the launch.
Named after RK Narayan’s beloved fictional town, Malgudi is co-founded by Mahadevan and entrepreneur KS Ramakrishnan. Having established five outlets across Mumbai and four in the United Arab Emirates within a year, the brand has now made its way to Delhi. The Rajouri Garden branch is their 10th outlet.
Its launch was perhaps the best example of the restaurant’s vibe and philosophy: homey, relaxed, but upbeat.
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Welcome to Malgudi
The restaurant’s menu, curated by the singer-composer himself, is a mix of regional classics and contemporary experiments.
In August 2025, during an appearance on Farah Khan’s YouTube channel, Mahadevan gave a glimpse of his culinary skills, where he cooked potli prawns and thecha. Now, through Malgudi, the 59-year-old hopes to share the flavours and traditions of South India with his fans.
While the menu features familiar names such as thatte idlis, rasam mini idlis, curd rice and uthappam, it also offers fusion foods such as podi cheese balls, Anna-style crispy lotus root and butter pepper garlic water chestnuts for starters.
In the main course, the bisi bele bibimbap gives Karnataka’s beloved rice-and-lentil preparation an unexpected spin, while the paneer ghee roast with neer dosa highlights Mangalorean flavours and the soft, delicate charm of the dosa. The Sri Lankan Tamil curry with idiyappam is a comforting bowl of spice and coconut, while Sanchi’s vegetable stew with appam offers a more coconut-rich alternative.
But the menu offers odes to the region, all while honouring century-old recipes, a good example of which is the Mulbagal legacy dosa. In the midst of fusions and revamps, stands the reliable, benne dosa, the buttery Bangalore staple.
Then there is the coffee. Malgudi’s filter kaapi barista counter offers the traditional South Indian brew, but with a new twist: jaggery. Alongside the filter kaapi, the menu also offers the Kappuccino, Malgudi’s playful take on the humble cappuccino, among others.
The aesthetics too don’t go for the usual minimalist, muted-toned restaurant. Terracotta hues set the tone, complemented by brass lighting, teak tables and cane-backed chairs; a traditional wooden swing further adds to the nostalgic feel of the space.
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Delhi’s South Indian obsession
In recent years, Delhi NCR seems to have developed quite the appetite for South Indian food. Nadoo, Dravida Canteen, Carnatic Cafe and Juggernaut have already cemented their place in Delhi’s food palate. The city’s latest obsession, Benne, still witnesses hour-long queues in Great Kailash 2 Market.
Now, Malgudi wants a seat at the table.
For customer Rachna Arora, 47, the appeal of South Indian food goes beyond a satisfying meal.
“This is comfort food. Whenever we want to go out to eat, we go for South Indian food. It’s healthy for the gut, and fermentation is this cuisine’s backbone,” she said.
On her plate, the favourites were the vada sambar, thatte idlis and Mulbagal dosa. But food, it turns out, isn’t the only thing drawing her to Malgudi. Juggernaut, the established South Indian favourite, is a mere five-minute walk from the new resto-cafe. Yet, Arora has found herself switching loyalties. But the reason isn’t any irresistible dosa or a secret family recipe.
“It’s Mahadevan’s restaurant,” she said.
This shift doesn’t weigh heavily on her pockets either. Malgudi’s pricing, Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,900 for two, is similar to Juggernaut’s.
Arora was dining at Malgudi with her husband, though the evening came with an added attraction. She was also trying her luck at getting a photograph with Mahadevan. While she wasn’t lucky, she did get to witness the singer’s intimate performance, making the meal all the more enjoyable.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)