When we think about going out, we usually pick different places for different moods. A quiet café when we want to read or work, a lively bar when we want to celebrate with friends, or a cosy restaurant when we want a good meal with family. Rarely do we find a single place that can do it all. But my recent visit to Refuge, a brand-new restaurant in Delhi’s Greater Kailash, changed that idea completely. Refuge feels like a space that adjusts itself to you. Whether you want to sit by yourself with a coffee or spend hours chatting with friends over food, Refuge gives you the comfort to do it all under one roof.
Refuge, A Place That Truly Feels Like Home
The moment I stepped inside, the design caught my eye. Unlike most restaurants that are full of sharp lines and corners, Refuge is all about curves and fluidity. The walls, ceilings, and even the flow of the space are built to make you feel relaxed and at ease. It’s spacious, airy, and organised in a way that makes you feel welcome the moment you walk in.
The restaurant is spread across two levels. The lower floor is quieter, with a coffee bar and the kitchen. The upper floor, on the other hand, has a completely different vibe. It is home to their 42-foot cocktail bar, one of the longest in Delhi, and is always buzzing with energy. From here, you also get lovely outdoor views, with treetops adding to the charm.
What made my experience even more special was meeting Aditya Mohan, the founder of Refuge. A chef who turned into a restaurateur, he explained that he wanted Refuge to be more than just a restaurant. For him, it is a sanctuary where hospitality comes first. He said something that really stayed with me – he doesn’t just want new customers every day, he wants that one guest who comes back often and considers this place their own refuge. That’s when he feels the idea behind Refuge is truly alive.
One of the best parts of Refuge is the way the team treats you. The staff members introduce themselves properly, speak to you with genuine warmth, and make you feel like you’re being welcomed into a home rather than a restaurant. They also follow a zero-waste philosophy, something that makes Refuge stand apart. The menu is not huge and confusing, but it is thoughtful.
The Food I Tried
The food at Refuge is not about showing off, it’s about flavours that stay with you. Here’s what I tried:
- Forager’s Croquettas: Crispy golden bites stuffed with sautéed mushrooms, béchamel, truffle oil, and parmesan crumbs. The umami hit was strong, and the black garlic aioli on the side tied it all together beautifully.
- Avocado Crossing: This was guacamole with a twist—served bistro-style with pickled cucumber, radish, baked filo tostadas, and a truffle ponzu sauce. The aroma of truffle was heavenly and honestly made the dish unforgettable.
- The Only Pasta: And yes, that’s literally its name! Rigatoni tossed in manchego and mustard emulsion, with charcoal garlic sauce and grilled snap peas. You can also add smoked duck if you like. I can confidently say that if this is the only pasta on the menu, you don’t really need another.
- Refuge 65: Their fun twist on chicken 65. Crispy fried chicken served with a 65-style aioli sauce and cashew kaffir lime podi, it is a riot of flavours, spicy and bold, yet addictive.
- Calypso Catch: Sautéed prawns with confit garlic, cherry tomatoes, olives, basil, and Thai chilli. Juicy, light, and refreshing, it’s the kind of dish you can eat without feeling too heavy.
The Cocktails That Stood Out
The cocktails at Refuge are stories in a glass. Their signature menu, called The Great Migrations, is inspired by historic human migrations and has 12 unique cocktails. I tried several, and these were my favourites:
- Olive Trail: Scotch whisky fat-washed with olive oil, paired with fig oleo and brined soda, this one was smooth and unforgettable.
- Embe-ras: This was a lovely combination of egg white, sumac, holy basil cordial, Mahua, and Alphonso mango. I could have had many of these and still wanted more.
- Homestead: Bourbon was combined with corn soda, barbecue honey, and a small amount of Tabasco vinegar to create a sweet, smoky, and mildly spicy concoction.
- Refugee’s Respite: Very refreshing and unique, this gin-based cocktail features licorice syrup, kewra-scented lime, and mango hydrosol.
- Maroon Mirage: This fresh and fruity concoction, ideal for summer evenings, is made with vodka, clarified watermelon, roselle cordial, and tonic water.
- From The Happy Hour menu, The Waste Not: Light and refreshing, this sugar-free pineapple tepache cocktail pays homage to their zero-waste philosophy.
My visit to Refuge felt less like a restaurant outing and more like discovering a place that can truly become a second home. It has the right mix of comfort, energy, and personality. The design puts you at ease, the food is flavourful without being overwhelming, the cocktails are adventurous yet approachable, and the people make you feel like you belong.
If you’re in Delhi and searching for a spot where you can celebrate, relax, or simply be by yourself, Refuge is waiting with open arms.
Cover Image Courtesy: Mallika Khurana and Suppied
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