During a recent 48-hour trip to the city of lakes, Travel+Leisure India & South Asia’s contributor checked out some new addresses in Udaipur.
What’s new in Udaipur?
New cafe in town: Kaner Bistro Lounge
In the courtyard of a beautiful family-run haveli by the name of Kaner Bagh lies a chic all-vegetarian cafe and bar. Kaner Bistro Lounge is a newly-opened address and has already become very popular with locals. On a Sunday afternoon, when I visit, there are very few locals. Choose a table in the leafy marble courtyard by the fountains and can enjoy a couple of drinks, and decent coffee. The menu features a mix of all-day snacks, some Rajasthani delicacies and a wide selection of pasta. The bistro also serves up some lovely mezze platter to nibble on during the day. In a nutshell, it’s quite different from the usual Udaipur fare one is accustomed to!
New dinner spot in town: Palasa Patio Bar & Cuisine
Luckily, not many tourists have discovered Palasa Patio Bar & Cuisine when I visit! For starters, this place is located in a wooded neighbourhood called Shikarbadi, a good 30-minute drive away from Udaipur’s tourist centre. Tucked away in a discreet, green corner of Udaipur’s outskirts, this gorgeous outdoor space features a beautiful alcove seating and an eclectic menu of largely Western fare. The cocktails and wine list are extensive. I sample a whole bunch of tapas-style bites, which features excellent quality produce. Palasa’s G&Ts are definitely worth trying out. If you’re looking to enjoy an evening out away from the tourist throngs of Udaipur, Palasa is the place to be.
New Work Spot: The Bake Affair Cafe
If you are looking for a quiet place to work in the afternoon, visit The Bake Affair Cafe. Frequented largely by locals, this place serves—in my opinion—the best coffee in Udaipur. There is also an extensive menu comprising of all-day food. Bake Affair is spacious, unpretentious and has great WiFi speeds, making it ideal for you to host meetings or even spend a couple of leisurely hours working remotely. This cafe is located in a modern, residential area, a couple of steps down from the popular Saheliyon Ki Badi. The best part? Bake Affair offers a mighty impressive patisserie section, all of which is eggless!
Upcoming Lakefront Restaurant: Ambrai’s soon-to-open outpost
Udaipur’s most Instagrammed lakefront restaurant, Ambrai, is getting a new ultra-luxe outpost. I get a sneak peek into Ambrai’s new space (name undisclosed so far), adjoining the hugely popular lakeside restaurant. The newly constructed structure is built at a height, which gives it the best possible view of Lake Pichola and the City Palace. This ultra-chic space with gorgeous mirror work walls and ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows will serve crafted cocktails and gourmet plates all day. It’s sure to become Udaipur’s hottest new address this season.
Must-visits in Udaipur
Must-visit for luxe retail: Paridhan
This is a luxe shopping recommendation that you should definitely check out. Located a couple of metres away from Bake Affair, Paridhan is a family-run boutique specialising in high-end Rajasthani attire, art objects and heritage items from Rajput culture. Set within a beautiful bungalow, you can pick anything from this stunning space—from a piece of antique jewellery, a block print kurta or even a Rajput sword. The young owner, Vishal Rathore, offers tailor-made appointments for traditional Indian attire. If you are looking to buy a Rajasthani poshak, look no further. This boutique supplies them to some of Rajasthan’s leading families.
Offbeat accommodation: Kankarwa Haveli
Stay recommendations, you ask? One of our favourite spots, and the city’s best kept secret, is this gorgeous family-run Haveli along Lake Pichola. Kankarwa Haveli dates back over a century and enjoys pride of place in one of the most breathtaking part of town. The young owners of this Haveli, found on Airbnb, live on site and are hands-on hosts. Be sure to catch up with them over a meal to get some great local recommendations and insights from Udaipur.
Must-experience: Rajasthan Studio
Looking for something new to do in Udaipur this time? If you have two hours and about INR 4,600 to spare, opt for a miniature painting workshop arranged by experience curators Rajasthan Studio. Here, in the company of master artist Kanhaiya Sharma, you will get an easy primer in this art form that dates back to the 16th century. This is a very hands-on experience where you will sit with the artist and create your own little souvenir to take home.
Featured image and hero image courtesy: Jainam Mehta/ Unsplash
Related: By Air, By Road, By Train: A Complete Travel Guide To The Offbeat Charm Of Jawai Bandh In Rajasthan
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: Maharana Pratap Airport is a domestic airport serving Udaipur, Rajasthan. Currently, the airport offers direct flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Bengaluru. Udaipur City serves as the main railway station with multiple daily trains connecting travellers to the city. By road, it takes almost 12 hours to reach Udaipur from New Delhi and five hours from Jaipur.
Answer: Being a popular tourist destination, Udaipur has multiple stay options for travellers of all budgets. Some of the most luxurious hotels in the city include The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur; The Ananta Udaipur; and Taj Lake Palace.
Answer: The best time to visit Udaipur is between September and March. However, this can also vary upon what you're hoping to do in the City of Lakes. November to February are slightly colder months during which the slight breeze in the air makes sightseeing and exploring the city comfortable. March to June, while extremely hot, is a great time to explore the famous Mewar festival. July to October is the off-season for travellers, making it the best time to explore on a budget.
