New menus, stunning ambience: Oakleaf and Imli Sarai reinvent Hyderabad’s dining scene

Hyderabad: As Hyderabad’s dining culture grows, several restaurants are introducing new menus and redesigning their spaces to offer fresh experiences. From Pan-Asian flavours to continental classics and Indian comfort food, these revamped spots reflect changing food trends and customer preferences.

Bringing in the year of the snake with Asian flavours

With the Chinese New Year celebrations underway, KOKO has introduced a new menu that blends traditional and contemporary Asian flavours. The restaurant’s interiors set the tone, featuring red glass archways and artwork inspired by classical guó huà painting techniques. A striking ceiling installation resembles mythical yellow dragons, adding to the ambiance.

The menu includes dishes like Legacy lotus dumplings, Golden enoki tempura, and Imperial unagi maki, offering a mix of textures and flavours. Noodles, a significant part of Asian culinary traditions, also feature prominently.

The meal ends with a fortune cookie, staying true to cultural traditions. This focus on symbolism and presentation reflects a growing demand for immersive dining experiences in Hyderabad.

A shift toward subtle continental flavours

Continental cuisine is often associated with rich, cheesy dishes, but a growing number of restaurants are shifting toward lighter, balanced meals. Oakleaf Restaurant & Bar, located in Oakwood Residence Kapil Hyderabad, has embraced this approach with a refreshed menu featuring seasonal produce and delicate flavours.

The updated menu includes tropical evergreen salad, a fresh combination of oranges, walnuts, and bocconcini, and Tzatziki avocado salmon rolls, which highlight natural flavours without overpowering condiments.

With an increasing number of people opting for mindful eating, restaurants like Oakleaf are curating menus that cater to changing tastes while maintaining classic elements.

Rediscovering Indian comfort food

Indian cuisine remains central to Hyderabad’s food scene, with restaurants refining their offerings to focus on authenticity. The newly revamped Imli Sarai has introduced Rasoi, a menu that celebrates Mughlai and Deccan specialities.

Dishes like Kakori kebab, Shikampuri kebab, and Kacchi ghosht ki biryani highlight regional flavours, with an emphasis on slow cooking techniques.

The updated menu also features drinks like Strawberry bantido, made with jalapeño-infused tequila, and Tropical punch, a fruit-based cooler suited for Hyderabad’s warm climate.

An evolving food scene

As Hyderabad’s restaurant industry adapts to shifting preferences, menus are becoming more diverse, focusing on authenticity, presentation and experience. Whether it’s Asian cuisine infused with cultural symbolism, continental food with a lighter touch, or Indian dishes rooted in tradition, these changes reflect the evolving tastes of the city’s diners.