Every year, International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8, a day to acknowledge the contributions of women across various fields. In the food industry as well, this celebration also throws a light on the women who are readily shaping India’s restaurant culture with creativity, stability, and a concept. Across Delhi NCR, a significantly growing number of women chefs and restaurateurs is proof that the city's dining culture is reshaping, delivering personal stories, regional remembrances, and bold culinary ideas through their menus. Some have introduced diners to what authentic Italian pasta is, while others are restoring forgotten regional recipes or turning desserts into an art.
What makes these restaurants even more special is not just the food, but the concept and vision behind them. These are spaces where tradition meets experiment, where age-old recipes are revamped with modern methods, and where kitchens once overlooked by men are now taken over by women who have established their own place in the industry. This Women’s Day, plan a meal at one of these women-led restaurants in Delhi NCR and know how every dish carries passion, creativity, and a story worth telling behind it.
Diva
Diva is one of Delhi’s most iconic Italian restaurants, which is led by celebrity chef Ritu Dalmia. Opened since 2000, it has introduced diners to authentic Italian cooking with handcrafted pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and thoughtfully sourced ingredients. The menu here focuses on simplicity and cooking techniques, like truffle pasta, burrata salads, and slow-cooked lamb ragù. The refined yet relaxed ambience makes the place perfect for a special Women’s Day dinner, whereas the refined flavours highlight Dalmia’s pioneering role in shaping contemporary fine dining in India.
Location: Greater Kailash II, New Delhi
Price For Two: Rs 3500 to Rs 4000
Timings: 12 PM – 11 PM
(Image credit: Freepik)
Fig & Maple
Launched by chef Radhika Khandelwal, Fig & Maple works around a farm-to-fork philosophy. The restaurant emphasises seasonal produce and lighter international dishes that feel both healthy and indulgent. You can expect vibrant plates here like truffle mushroom risotto, quinoa bowls, roasted vegetables, and herb-roasted chicken. The light interiors and leafy terrace add to the comfy vibe, making it a favoured spot for brunches and also dinner scenes with your girlies. Khandelwal’s focus on fresh produce and sustainability has made Fig & Maple a trendsetter in Delhi’s current dining scene.
Location: Greater Kailash I, New Delhi
Price For Two: Rs 2500 to Rs 3000
Timings: 12 PM – 11 PM
Bawri
Led by chef Amninder Sandhu, Bawri is a place that celebrates bold Indian flavours and is known for its cooking over open fire and charcoal. The restaurant concentrates on rural practices and slow cooking, restoring the traditional ways that are rarely seen in contemporary kitchens nowadays. The menu here highlights regional soul food and features signature dishes such as Kakori Kebabs, Bawri Butter Chicken, Gucchi-stuffed Mushroom, Dal Makhni, and unique desserts such as Malai Kulfi Sandwich. The food is deeply aromatic because of the cooking style and layered with spices, and deeply embedded in regional cooking practices. Dining at Bawri feels like participating in an old-world Indian feast, which is reimagined through Sandhu’s contemporary culinary lens.
Location: Golf Course Road, Gurugram
Price For Two: Rs 3000 to Rs 3500
Timings: 12 PM – 11 PM
(Image credit: Freepik)
Cafe Dori
Café Dori is a trendy cafe loved for European comfort food and artisanal coffee, managed by chef-entrepreneur Kainaz Contractor. The menu here features sourdough sandwiches, handcrafted pasta, croissants, and indulgent desserts, all served in a chic industrial setting. If you are someone who likes to head to cafes for a cup of coffee paired with some appetising snacks, the café is ideal for a quick catch-up for Women's Day with your gang. Contractor’s journey from being a food writer to now a restaurateur has helped in shaping Café Dori into one of Delhi’s most chic café destinations.
Location: Dhan Mill Compound, Chhatarpur
Price For Two: Rs 2000 to Rs 2500
Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM
Miam Patisserie
Started by pastry chef Bani Nanda, Miam Patisserie has evolved as one of the most loved dessert destinations of the national capital. Loved for its elegant French-style baking techniques, the café serves a variety of macarons, delicate pastries, chocolate tarts, and beautifully prepared cakes exclusively for celebrations. The signature layered cakes, such as dark chocolate and salted caramel and dark chocolate and strawberries, are the top choices. They also have eggless and gluten-free versions of their beloved dark chocolate cakes.
To pair with a cup of coffee, you can try their large French hearts, biscotti, and other gourmet cookies. Every dessert at Miam Patisserie is created with precision and artistic representation. Nanda, trained at Le Cordon Bleu, has brought artisanal patisserie culture to Delhi, making Miam a must-visit for anyone who has a sweet tooth.
Location: Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi
Price For Two: Rs 1200 to Rs 1500
Timings: 11 AM – 10 PM
(Image credit: Freepik)
Potbelly Rooftop Cafe
Founded by restaurateur Puja Sahu, Potbelly Rooftop Café has brought authentic Bihari cuisine culture into Delhi’s mainstream dining scene. The menu here is diverse, having regional favourites such as litti chokha, champaran mutton, sattu paratha, and dal pitha, the most well-known Bihari cuisines. Set on a cosy rooftop in Shahpur Jat, the restaurant has a warm and homely feeling while displaying flavours that are seldom seen in exclusive restaurants. Potbelly stands out for honouring Bihar’s rich culinary roots and introducing them to many Delhi diners.
Location: Shahpur Jat, New Delhi
Price For Two: Rs 1500 to Rs 2000
Timings: 12 PM – 10:30 PM