Every autumn, Indian menus sprout pretzels, sausages, pork knuckles, and more before the Indian festivities begin. Even though Oktoberfest began in Munich more than two hundred years ago, it has somehow made its way to India as well. Considering a Bavarian beer hall and an Indian metro have little in common, it might sound like a mismatch. However, with India’s craft beer scene gaining much popularity, the fit is better than it looks.
In the last decade, metro cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi have seen the expansion of dozens of microbreweries. Their brewers like the styles Germany perfected, such as wheat beers, malty Märzen lagers and crisp pilsners. Also, thanks to MNCs like Bosch, Siemens, and Mercedes-Benz, there is a sizeable German community bringing first-hand Oktoberfest culture to India.
With an array of bars and restaurants curating themed Oktoberfest menus, Slurrp talked to the chefs and bartenders about the hype around the Bavarian festival in Indian cities. Scroll through to know why the festival caught on in India, what to order from a Bavarian menu, and where to go to eat it.
Experts On The Oktoberfest Hype In India
Oktoberfest resonates because it goes beyond geography. “At its heart is Gemütlichkeit, the Bavarian spirit of warmth, togetherness and conviviality,” says Abhishek Singh, Executive Chef at JW Marriott Goa. “In many ways, this is something we can relate to in India as well, where the philosophy of Atithi Devo Bhava and the tradition of coming together over a shared meal are deeply rooted in our culture.”
Image Credit: Adobe Stock
When asked if beer is what brings the millennials together, Atish Saxena, the Director of Culinary at The Club, Mumbai, notes, “The beer is often what draws people in, the food is what makes them settle in and enjoy themselves, and the atmosphere is what turns a simple meal into something they remember.” He also adds that the guests may come for the steins and the music, but what they tend to bring up afterwards is the roasted meats, the warm soft pretzels, and a good mustard on the side. All in all, he believes Oktoberfest makes the whole evening feel like a celebration rather than just dinner, and that shared energy is what keeps people coming back year after year.
Catering to a wider audience with pan-India SOCIAL chains, Shamsul Wahid, Group Executive Chef, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd talks about their menu curation process, “Sausages and potatoes were the natural starting points for me. They are familiar Oktoberfest ingredients, and they gave us room to create dishes that feel like SOCIAL.” The highlights of their festive menu include Salchipapas with fries, BBQ sausage and a fried egg, and the Loaded Potato Skins. “My personal favourite is the Charred Corn Ribs with a spicy Bloody Mary glaze,” he adds. “It is not a traditional German dish, but it brings the bold flavour I wanted on this menu.”
If you want to make the most of the themed menu, here are some of the best spots you shouldn’t miss.
Bengaluru
Europa 360, Radisson Blu Bengaluru Outer Ring Road
Europa 360 brings a distinctly desi spin to Oktoberfest, combining the easy-going spirit of the beer festival with live-fire barbecue. Guests can choose their preferred protein like chicken, lamb, fish or a vegetarian option, and then select from Indian, South Indian, Asian or Mediterranean flavour profiles.
“Inclusivity was important. We retained pork for authenticity, but balanced the menu with chicken, lamb, seafood and strong vegetarian options, so every guest could participate in the Oktoberfest experience,” Chef Mayur Ramachandran, Executive Chef, Radisson Blu Bengaluru Outer Ring Road highlighted.
The experience takes a more traditional turn with Dum Biryani, hearty gravies, dal and breads complete the spread, adding the warmth and familiarity of an Indian feast to the evening.
Address: Europa 360, Radisson Blu Bengaluru Outer Ring Road
Date: 15th September to 30th October, 2026
Timings: 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Pricing: Starts from ₹1,499++
Contact: 8105232975
DoubleTree by Hilton Bengaluru Airport
The Courtyard takes centre stage as the setting for the celebration, with a lively Bavarian-inspired ambience. Märzen Draught Beer leads the beverage selection, with its smooth, malty amber character, alongside Corona, Hoegaarden, Toit Tint-in-Wit and Toit Banger Lager.
Emphasising the authenticity, Chef Tushar Das, Executive Chef at DoubleTree by Hilton Bengaluru Airport, says, “We introduced Bavarian roast chicken and beer-battered fish preparations that carry the same smoky, well-seasoned character as the pork originals. For vegetarian guests, we worked with Bavarian Vegetable Strudel, Bavarian Bread Dumplings and Potato Pancakes that hold their own on the table.
With steins to raise, plates to share and music to keep the evening going, Brew 33 brings a slice of Bavaria to North Bengaluru, giving Oktoberfest a new setting and the city another reason to make an evening of it.
Address: Brew 33 Bar Lounge, DoubleTree by Hilton Bengaluru Airport
Date: 21st to 30 September, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
The Verandah At Grand Mercure Bangalore
“Indian hospitality has always had a strong culture of celebrating around food, so international festivals provide another way to create an occasion for people to come together,” Vilas Dhankute, Executive Chef, shared while talking about curating the menu. “At the same time, Indian diners are increasingly interested in discovering different cultures, cuisines and traditions.”
The spread at Verandah at Grand Mercure Bangalore brings together a selection of Oktoberfest favourites, from Emmenthal, Camembert, English Cheddar and Bocconcini to warm Kartoffelsalat with bacon and onion. At the heart of the menu is a selection of sausages, including Pork and Chicken Sausages served with garlic mash and gravy, alongside Pork Bockwurst and Nurnberg with tangy sauerkraut. The Sausage Sampler brings all three together for those looking to explore the selection, while the Wiener Schnitzel adds another classic to the table. To finish, the rustic Linzer Torte brings together layers of nutty cake and jam.
Address: Grand Mercure Bangalore, 12th Main, 3rd Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru, India, 560034
Dates: 19th September to 4th October
Timings: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Delhi NCR
The LaLiT New Delhi
Get into the Oktoberfest spirit at The LaLiT New Delhi, with a specially curated à la carte menu celebrating German comfort food and Bavarian flavours. The menu curated by Amit Biswas, the Executive Sous Chef, brings together hearty classics such as Bratwurst mit Sauerkraut, Zwiebelsauce, featuring chargrilled pork sausages with sauerkraut, mustard and onion gravy; Schnitzel mit Spätzle, Pilzsauce, with chicken schnitzel, German spätzle and mushroom gravy; and Lammsauerbraten, Rotkohl, Zwiebel-Pilz-Jus, featuring lamb sauerbraten with braised red cabbage and onion-mushroom jus. Vegetarian options include Ofenkartoffeln mit Quark & Chives, Pfifferlinge mit Semmelknödel and Kartoffelpuffer mit Quarkkäse.
The spread is complemented by a homemade German pretzel, while desserts include Gebackener Käsekuchen, Beerenkompott (baked cheesecake with berry compote) and Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest gateaux with black cherry). The experience can be paired with special beer buckets and a selection of Jack Daniel’s cocktails.
Address: 24/7, The LaLiT New Delhi
Dates: 19th September to 4th October
Flow Brew & Dine
Chef Ashish, the Executive Chef, brings extensive experience in contemporary restaurant kitchens, with a strong understanding of modern European and global cuisine. At Flow Brew & Dine, the focus is on creating food that works naturally with our freshly brewed craft beers while remaining approachable for the Indian palate.
The themed menu features hand-twisted pretzels, with a crisp crust and soft, pillowy centre, alongside a hearty German potato salad featuring tender potatoes, crispy bacon and a tangy Dijon mustard dressing. Other traditional dishes include hotdogs and sausages. As for desserts, the chef recommends you try their Dark Milk Stout Brownie.
Address: Commons, DLF Avenue, 312 B & C, 2nd Floor, A4, South, Saket, New Delhi, Delhi 110017
Dates: 9th September to 4th October
Price For Two: ₹1600++
Contact: 9899199141
BeeYoung Brewgarden
This Oktoberfest, BeeYoung Brewgarden is putting its own spin on Munich’s iconic beer celebration with Almost Oktoberfest, a seven-day celebration. “We wanted to retain the spirit of German beer culture without making the menu feel too formal or unfamiliar. That is where dishes like our Keema Dog, Sichuan Wontons and Takatak Tostadas came in,” Prakhar Aggarwal, the Culinary Lead at BeeYoung Brewgarden, told Slurrp.
The bar will feature a specially curated selection of beer cocktails, inspired by popular serves from across the world, including Bavarian Apple, Mango Harvest, Rice Beer Cooler and Belgian Honey Ale. Adding to the experience, Brewgarden will come alive with games, activities, live performances and community-driven experiences, creating a lively setting for guests to eat, drink, compete and celebrate.
Address: BeeYoung Brewgarden, Panchshila Park, 61/7, Block C, Panchsheel Park South,
Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110017
Dates: 25th September to 1st October, 2026
Timings: 1 PM to 1 AM
Price For Two: ₹2500