CT Review: With Umami Cocktails & European Grandeur, Delhi’s New Louve Has Our Attention

The first thing you assume when you walk into Louve is that it’s going to be intimidating. The kind of place where everything looks perfect, people speak softly, and you’re constantly aware of how luxurious it all is. And yes, at first glance, it does look exactly like that. But then something interesting happens. You sit down, a few minutes pass, you start to breathe a little easier, and suddenly, the space doesn’t feel stiff anymore. That’s what stayed with me most about Louve. It manages to be luxurious without making you feel out of place.

Louve Redefines Dining In Delhi

Located in the quiet, leafy lanes of Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone, Louve feels like it belongs exactly where it is. There’s space for every kind of mood here. If you want a relaxed evening with friends, the outdoor cabanas are perfect. If you want a more intimate, immersive dining experience, the indoor seating draws you in completely. I chose to sit inside, mainly because I couldn’t stop looking at the chandelier. Suspended dramatically from the ceiling, with birds and butterflies woven into its design, it feels almost poetic. You don’t just notice it once, you keep looking up at it throughout the meal.

Once the food started arriving, it became clear that Louve is very confident about what it wants to be. This is European food in its most honest form. No unnecessary twists, no fusion for the sake of it. Just clean flavours, beautiful ingredients, and a lot of attention to detail.

A Slow European Meal In The Heart Of Delhi

The meal began with the Pumpkin Ginger Soup, and it was the kind of start that immediately makes you feel taken care of. Smooth, velvety, and incredibly comforting, it had a gentle sweetness and warmth to it. The nuttiness stood out the most for me.

Next came the Burrata with Grapes, and if you love burrata, this dish simply makes sense. Creamy, fresh, and light, it was incredibly refreshing. The grapes added a mild sweetness, keeping everything balanced and easy. The Beetroot and Asparagus Salad followed, with caramelised chèvre shavings, croutons, and citrus vinaigrette. Clean, well-structured, and thoughtfully made, this dish made it very clear that Louve isn’t trying to cater to those who appreciate authenticity.

Then came the Pistachio Lamb Chop, and this was where the meal truly peaked for me. The lamb was cooked beautifully, tender, juicy, and handled with a lot of care. The pistachio crust added a lovely nuttiness, while the celeriac fondue and nutty praline brought depth and richness.

If there’s one section of the menu that felt like the heart of the experience, it was the pasta. The Chitarra with Morel Mushrooms, Bourbon and Cream was deeply comforting. Rich, earthy, and hearty, this is the kind of pasta you don’t want to share. I kept going back to it, bite after bite, because it felt so satisfying. The Sage Butter Tortelloni was gentler but just as memorable. Soft ricotta-lemon filling, wrapped in delicate pasta and coated in sage beurre noisette, it felt classic, comforting, and very thoughtfully made.

Also Read: CT Review: At Silq In Delhi, Meals Begin With Itr, Taste Like A Silk Route Story, & End With Mukhwaas

A Comforting Main Course Followed By Indulgent Desserts

For the main, I tried the Prawn Curry, and it felt like a quiet moment in the meal. Mild, fragrant, and served with rice, it didn’t try to surprise you, it simply comforted you. The prawns were perfectly cooked, tender and juicy, and the curry was gentle enough to let the ingredients shine. 

Dessert at Louve doesn’t overwhelm you. It gently wraps up the experience.

The Louve Meringue Cake was easily my favourite. Light vanilla sponge, tangy lemon curd, and torched meringue, it was balanced, not overly sweet, and incredibly easy to love. The Belgian Ruby Chocolate with Vanilla Gelato was richer and more indulgent, but the gelato kept it from feeling heavy. It’s a lovely way to end the meal if you enjoy chocolate-forward desserts.

Cocktails That Tell A Story

The cocktail experience at Louve is designed around emotion and memory, and you can feel that intention clearly. Epicure was the first drink I tried. It’s a vodka tonic at heart, but beautifully elevated. Crisp, lightly fruity, tart, and smooth, it’s the perfect drink to begin the evening. 

Memento Mori was, without a doubt, the star of the night. Even for someone who usually avoids hard liquor, this cocktail was incredibly easy to enjoy. Made with morel mushroom brandy and apricot brandy, it was earthy, aromatic, and surprisingly comforting. This is the one drink I still think about and the one I’d return for. The final cocktail, Metis, was bittersweet, floral, and dry. If you enjoy tequila and Aperol, this drink feels like a natural choice.

The Overall Feeling

Founded by Shikha Begwani and led by Chef Selim, Louve isn’t trying to be loud or trendy. It’s confident in its identity. From the towering ceilings and marble floors to the soft glow of the chandelier and the calming fountain behind the bar, everything encourages you to linger a little longer.

Louve isn’t just a restaurant you visit. It’s a place you settle into. And by the time you leave, you don’t just remember what you ate, you remember how it made you feel.

Cover Image Courtesy: Mallika Khurana