Jaipur
in Rajasthan

Bar Palladio leans fully into its aesthetic – deep blues, hand-painted walls, and a beautiful garden set up outside. Designed by Marie-Anne Oudejans, it’s Italian on paper (pastas, antipasti, classic cocktails), but the appeal is in the location: Venetian references dropped into Jaipur’s busyness. It works best for an aperitivo (fitting) or for a late dinner and drinks, when the sun settles. Order a couple of plates to share (very good spaghetti pomodoro and pizzas too), sit outside if you can nab a cabana, but do pop your head inside for a blue hit.

Set within Jaipur’s City Palace, The Sarvato leans into both setting and sipping. Backed by Abhishek Honawar (of beautiful guesthouse-hotels The Johri, 28 Kothi) alongside the Jaipur royal family, it centres on a multi-course tasting menu of Rajasthani flavours – a format still relatively rare in the city. The terrace views are a major draw, especially at sunset, with a drinks programme that has made it a destination in its own right for its long list of Indian reds. It’s a more polished affair but so far from stiff, and it works just as well for a late booking as it does for a long, slower dinner.