This may be a bold claim, but Jaipur is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. And for design and architecture lovers, there are few cities that compete. There are multiple grand palaces, equally palatial luxury hotels, and majestic ancient forts. Even the streets are a riot of colour, pattern and print.
The city's distinct design style spills over into every facet of Jaipur living, including it's restaurant scene. I love discovering beautiful places to eat, and in Jaipur there are plenty of gorgeously designed restaurants, celebrating the city's rich and diverse food culture in style. I've compiled this short guide to the most beautiful restaurants in Jaipur, highlighting some of my favourite aesthetic discoveries in the Pink City.
Bar Palladio
Of all the beautiful restaurants in Jaipur, Bar Palladio is perhaps the poster child. The interior spaces are drenched in bold peacock blue hues, and intricately painted arches decorate doors and windows. There are a number of rooms to discover. In one room, you dine whilst tropical birds frolic across the walls above you, whilst in another, you're immersed in a blue and white chinoiserie come to life.
The exterior courtyard carries on the theme, where we feasted on Italian and international dishes. Now generally my rule of thumb is to stick to local cuisine in India, however at Bar Palladio we really enjoyed the brief break from curry. It's a beautiful spot to while away a mild Jaipur evening in style. If Bar Palladio's aesthetics resonate, they also have a hotel, Villa Palladio, similarly swathed in bold reds.
Peacock Restaurant
Sat atop the rather unassuming backstreet Pearl Palace Hotel is a secret gem in the form of the Peacock Restaurant. Traditional tapestries line the walls of the airy two floor terrace, which paired with mosaic floors and Dali-esque abstract chairs give the place a decidedly bohemian feel. It could come together with the eccentricity of everyone's artsy aunt, but manages to feel quite chic, in that distinctly Jaipur way. In this feat, the menu helps greatly. The cocktail menu will have you struggling to pick - although I found myself won over by the towering mango lassis.
The food menu is equally exciting, if slightly confused, with traditional dishes fighting for attention alongside international hits, and the odd fusion. We devoured the malai chicken tikka, khao soi dumplings, honey chilli potatoes (a staple on Rajasthani menus, and a big winner in my books), and decadently creamy dhal makhni. It's expensive by Indian standards, with our meal for two coming in at around £25.
Native Cocktail Bar
Conveniently just downstairs from Peacock, (not very) hidden behind a flashy mirrored door, is bar Native Cocktail Room. Every "best bars in Jaipur" seems to have a spot for Native, so it comes highly recommended. However I was more interested in the interiors, with long-necked Mughal princes and princesses peering down over punters in fantastical wall murals. Whilst the inside is moodily dim, the hallmark of a "serious" cocktail bar, step outside to discover a small sun-dappled terrace. Here everything is bright, bold, and intricately decorated. I'll admit, we were on the way out after lunch at Peacock and didn't have time to stop for a drink - let me know if it lives up to the hype?
1135 AD
Jaipur is known for it's palatial opulence, and nowhere does this better than 1135AD. The setting alone sets the tone. 1135AD is situated on the grounds of one of the city's most extravagant sites, the Amer Fort and Palace. The interiors are awash with deep velvet furnishings, dripping in gold, every corner and surface subject to some carving or painting. It truly is a visual feast, best paired with equally regal dishes inspired by the heritage recipes of the Amer Royal family. Unsurprisingly it's also an extravagant fare price-wise too, but if you're going to live like royalty, why not go all out?
Once Upon a Time at The Bagh
On my most recent visit to Jaipur, this was the one restaurant I'd been to before that I just knew I had to return to. Once Upon a Time at the Bagh is set a little outside of the main hub of Jaipur, on the grounds of a small, peaceful garden named Vidyadhar Bagh. It's worth the short Tuk Tuk ride over for the picturesque location. The outdoor terrace looks out over the Bagh, whilst the interiors are generously bathed in shades of blue (for the "pink" city, there's a whole lot of blue in Jaipur!). But it's not all just pretty aesthetics, on both my Jaipur trips it's proved one of my favourite places to eat. Stick to the Indian options over Western fare, and tuck into delightfully buttery naans, and rich, sumptious dhals.
I hope this guide to the most beautiful restaurants in Jaipur has been helpful! Please do let me know in the comments if there's any spots I've missed, or which city you'd like to see a restaurant guide for next. And if you're planning a trip to Jaipur, make sure to check out my full city guide.
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