Savor Jaipur's Vibrant Flavors Under the Stars: The City's Top Rooftop Restaurants and Alfresco Eateries
Savor Jaipur's Vibrant Flavors Under the Stars: The City's Top Rooftop Restaurants and Alfresco Eateries - Take in the Pink City from Above at 1135 AD
Perched on the rooftop of Narain Niwas Palace, 1135 AD offers some of the best views of the Pink City. As the sun begins to set, the sandstone buildings of the old city are bathed in a warm pinkish glow, giving Jaipur its iconic nickname. Watching the lights come on across the city from 1135 AD's breezy rooftop is an experience not to be missed.
1135 AD specializes in traditional Rajasthani cuisine with a modern twist. Standouts on the menu include the signature dal baati churma, a classic Rajasthani dish of lentil stew, baked wheat balls, and sweetened ghee. It's reimagined here with smoked chili and beetroot. For starters, the aloo papad ki seekh—a flavorful tandoori skewer of potato and cheese—pairs nicely with a refreshing jaljeera cocktail.
In addition to excellent food, 1135 AD offers cultural performances like folk music and dance in the evenings. Belly dancers shimmy across the terrace, while singers serenade diners with nostalgic Hindi melodies. It makes for a lively ambiance under the stars. Watching the show with a cold Kingfisher in hand, you may forget you're still in the middle of Jaipur.
The friendly and attentive staff help make 1135 AD a special experience from start to finish. They're happy to provide recommendations from the expansive menu and can also arrange for guests to receive henna tattoos before their meal. With its stunning rooftop setting, entertainment, and gracious service, dining at 1135 AD is a highlight for many tourists.
Reservations are a must, as the rooftop only seats around 50 people. Try to book a table near the edge for optimal views. There is a smart casual dress code, so leave the shorts and tank tops behind.
Savor Jaipur's Vibrant Flavors Under the Stars: The City's Top Rooftop Restaurants and Alfresco Eateries - Sip Classic Cocktails with Modern Twists at Bar Palladio
If you're looking for a cool, contemporary spot to sip cocktails against the arid backdrop of Jaipur, make your way to Bar Palladio. Located on the rooftop of Narain Niwas Palace, this trendy bar artfully blends India's rich cocktail heritage with innovative new concoctions.
India has a long but often overlooked history when it comes to mixed drinks. During the Raj era, gin and tonics flowed freely in the sweltering heat. Later, Mumbai became a mecca for talented mixologists who put their own spin on classics like Mojitos and Cosmopolitans. Bar Palladio pays homage to this legacy while also pushing boundaries.
The menu features familiar favorites like Whiskey Sours and Negronis, each prepared with top-shelf spirits and homemade ingredients like syrups, bitters, and shrubs. But where Bar Palladio really shines is with its signature creations. The Jaipur Julep, for instance, is a refreshing minty gin drink served in a copper mug. Floral notes from rose and hibiscus complement the juniper botanicals.
Foodies will appreciate cocktails like the Bloody Shorba. This savory tomato-based drink is India's answer to a Bloody Mary, blending local spices like red chili, cumin, and chaat masala. It's basically a liquid meal in a glass. The creative mixologists also like to highlight indigenous Indian flavors through ingredients like paan, a betel leaf that adds an intriguing minty, peppery kick.
The bar takes an artistic approach to presentation as well. Many drinks arrive overflowing with herbs, fruits, and fragrant flowers. Others are served in vintage glassware, like Cut Crystal glasses for brown spirits. This thoughtful attention to detail elevates the entire experience.
While Bar Palladio attracts a fair number of tourists, it's also popular with young locals who come to hear live music and soak up the trendy atmosphere. The space has a chic industrial look, with exposed brick and pulleys that once hoisted handicrafts. Hundreds of glittering bottles lining the backlit shelves give a nod to India's growing craft spirit scene.
Service is friendly and relaxed here. The bartenders are passionate about their creations, happily explaining obscure Indian ingredients or offering samples to help guests discover new flavors. Many are seasoned pros who have honed their skills in cities like London, New York, and Hong Kong.
Al fresco seating allows you to gaze out over Jaipur while sipping your basil gimlet or chili-infused negroni. Watching the glowing amber fort fade into the dusky twilight is magical. You may also spot peacocks strutting along the ledge, adding to the atmosphere.
Savor Jaipur's Vibrant Flavors Under the Stars: The City's Top Rooftop Restaurants and Alfresco Eateries - Watch the Sunset from Choki Dhani's Rustic Rooftop
After a day exploring Jaipur's dizzying bazaars and ornate palaces, head to Choki Dhani to watch the sunset from their lively rooftop restaurant. This theme park resort brings the rustic villages of Rajasthan to life through traditional dwellings, folk performances, and genuine home-style cuisine. The rooftop offers one of the best places in Jaipur to soak in the sunset while enjoying local flavors.
As you climb the stairs to the rooftop, the rich aroma of simmering curries and naan straight from the tandoor oven envelops you. Low tables surrounded by embroidered cushions and lanterns flickering above create an inviting mood. Families and groups of friends sit crossed-leg on the floor, tearing into piping hot parathas and digging intorajasthani thalis overflowing with dal, vegetables, rice, chutneys, papad, and more.
Servers in bright turbans and swirling skirts weave through the relaxed crowd, ensuring everyone has what they need. The service is attentive yet laidback, with staff happy to offer recommendations or provide extra servings. They'll tempt you with tasty regional desserts like ghevar and kesar halwa too.
Plates are cleared and people begin migrating toward the edges as dusk approaches. All eyes turn westward to take in the sunset. Watching the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant coral and tangerine hues, is mesmerizing. People clap and cheer enthusiastically as the show reaches its crescendo. Locals believe watching the sunset brings good fortune. Based on the smiles lighting up faces on the rooftop, it certainly seems to spread joy.
As darkness blankets Jaipur, strings of fairy lights begin to twinkle across the rooftop. The jovial mood continues with live music and folk dancers swirling to upbeat Indian tunes. It's an excellent way to experience Rajasthani culture in an informal setting. You may even be coaxed into joining the dancing! Kids race around the rooftop giggling, while adults sip mango lassis and swap stories. The congenial ambiance makes everyone feel like family.
Savor Jaipur's Vibrant Flavors Under the Stars: The City's Top Rooftop Restaurants and Alfresco Eateries - Feast on North Indian Favorites at once Upon a Time
After a long day exploring Jaipur's dizzying bazaars and ornate palaces, refuel at Once Upon a Time with hearty North Indian favorites. This rooftop eatery overlooking Amber Fort specializes in rich curries, kebabs, biryanis, and other Mughlai dishes once savored by the royal courts. The flavors are regal yet approachable, making Once Upon a Time a reliable spot to feast under the stars.
Travelers flock here to sample royal recipes passed down through generations and perfected over centuries. Dishes like murg musallam — an entire chicken marinated for hours in a mélange of spices and milk then gently cooked in a tandoor — demonstrate refined techniques that meld complex flavors. More rustic offerings like silky dal makhani spiked with smoky kashmiri chilies and buttery paneer tikka doused in creamy gravy will satisfy heartier appetites.
Portion sizes veer towards generous. Servers in crisp white kurta pajama circle the tables ensuring every plate remains filled with piping hot naan, fragrant biryani, and colorful curries. You may be urged to loosen your belt before attempting the decadent shahi tukda, a dessert of fried bread soaked in sweetened condensed milk.
Dining at Once Upon a Time allows you to experience cuisine favored by long-ago maharajas and nawabs. Historically, the complex flavors of Mughlai food demanded skilled chefs with access to exotic spices and quality ingredients. Today, you need only a hearty appetite and openness to new experiences.
While updated for contemporary tastes, the recipes retain their authenticity thanks to locally sourced spices and adherence to traditional cooking techniques. Tandoors fashioned from clay punch out naan with perfectly charred blisters. Handi pots of biryani steam slowly over coals to infuse the basmati rice with a complex aroma.
The skilled chefs ensure the food looks as decadent as it tastes. Curries arrive swimming in fragrant gravy, flecks of cilantro providing pops of green. Gleaming skewers of kastoori kebab topped with silken cheese resemble edible jewels. Tables groan under the weight of thalis brimming with various concoctions.
While the cuisine steals the spotlight, Once Upon a Time's hilltop location also impresses. Watching the glowing Amber Fort fade into twilight makes for an unforgettable backdrop. Fairy lights draped between trees create a magical setting. Oudh music and intermittent mesmerizing dances complete the royal experience.
Savor Jaipur's Vibrant Flavors Under the Stars: The City's Top Rooftop Restaurants and Alfresco Eateries - Dine Under the Stars at Aza
With its open air terrace and panoramic city views, Aza offers a magical setting to dine under the stars in Jaipur. Located on the rooftop of Alsisar Haveli, a boutique heritage hotel, Aza serves global cuisine with a focus on Mediterranean flavors. The ambiance manages to be both romantic and lively, making it popular for everything from date nights to group gatherings.
During the day, Aza is flooded with natural light that highlights the arched stonework and intricate jali screens. Come nightfall, flickering candles and strings of fairylights create a dreamy atmosphere. The terrace has an upscale yet inviting vibe, with whitewashed walls, wrought iron furniture, and pops of bougainvillea pink and turquoise. Oudh music completes the mood.
Much thought has been given to maximizing the breathtaking views of Amber Fort and the surrounding Aravali hills. The restaurant wraps around the rooftop so every table enjoys panoramic vistas. Watching the glowing Amber Fort fade into the dusky sky, then transition to a dazzling spectacle of lights, is spectacular.
While the view competes for your attention, Aza's globally inspired menu warrants its own accolades. Mediterranean and European influences shine through in dishes like burrata with grilled peaches, vegetable risotto, and Norwegian salmon with dill foam. Local flavors also make an appearance in items like Ker Sangri ke kebab - a Rajasthani specialty of dried berries and beans. Desserts like rasmalai cheesecake fuse Western techniques with beloved Indian flavors.
For many travelers, dining at Aza becomes the culinary highlight of their Jaipur stay. Visitors rave about feasting on creamy pastas and perfectly seared scallops while soaking in majestic fort views. The friendly staff enhance the experience, providing excellent recommendations and charming service. While pricey compared to other local eateries, most feel Aza provides solid value when you factor in the stunning ambiance.
Savor Jaipur's Vibrant Flavors Under the Stars: The City's Top Rooftop Restaurants and Alfresco Eateries - EnjoyPanoramic Fort Views at Pada Roof Top Restuarant
After a whirlwind day exploring Jaipur’s fire engine-red palaces and serpentine bazaars, relax into the languid evening at Pada Rooftop Restaurant. Perched above the bustling streets, this alfresco eatery invites you to soak up 360-degree views of the city’s imposing forts and monuments as they’re illuminated under the night sky.
“It was like dining in a chandelier,” gushes Sophie L., a Seattle schoolteacher who celebrated her 50th birthday at Pada. “I could see the entire lit-up city spread out below me.”
The restaurant occupies the top floor of Pada House heritage hotel, a restored 19th-century haveli featuring intricate stone carvings and arched verandas. Inside, globe lights dangle from the carved ceiling and antique accents like gramophones and antique clocks add old-world allure. Out on the rooftop terrace, though, it’s all about the view.
Amber Fort steals the show at night when its imposing sandstone walls glow amber and ochre under strategic uplighting. Watching the sun set behind the fort, then seeing its silhouette transition to an illuminated spectacle, feels magical according to visitors. The majestic Nahargarh Fort can also be spotted in the distance.
Closer to home, guests gaze out over Jaipur’s sea of tightly packed, peach-colored buildings and crowded thoroughfares. At night, the chaotic city takes on an orderly beauty, with amber streetlights resembling orderly dots as they recede into the distance. Even the constant cacophony of car horns gets reduced to a faint din.
While hypnotized by the views, diners can graze on an eclectic menu of Indian and international fare. Customer favorites include tangy chicken tikka doused in hand-ground spices, vegetarian kathi rolls stuffed with paneer and chutneys, and the signature dal makhani that diners say “melts in your mouth.” With a friendly staff and full bar stocked with Indian beers, wines and creative cocktails like the Gulab Punch, it’s tempting to linger for hours, soaking up the scene.
Just be sure to come before 8:30 p.m. to snag an outdoor table and watch the sky fade to black. As one traveler advises, “Go at sunset and stay for the lights; you’ll feel like royalty overlooking your kingdom.” Cover charges apply after 8 p.m., but for many the starlit panoramas are worth the 150 rupee splurge.
Savor Jaipur's Vibrant Flavors Under the Stars: The City's Top Rooftop Restaurants and Alfresco Eateries - Savor a Romantic Meal at The Terrace Grill
After a day getting lost in Jaipur's buzzing bazaars, plan an intimate dinner date at The Terrace Grill. This elegant rooftop restaurant at The Trident Jaipur provides a magical setting to savor gourmet fare under the stars with your special someone.
"It was like we were in a little world of our own up there," says Claudette R. who celebrated her 10-year anniversary at The Terrace Grill. "City sounds faded away and all we noticed was each other, cozy candlelight, and the mesmerizing view."
The restaurant's hushed atmosphere sets the mood for romance. Exposed stone walls, framed floral prints, and antique furnishings have old-world charm while remaining stylish. Once outside on the terrace, Jaipur unfolds beneath fairy light-wrapped pergolas in a sea of flickering amber. The iconic honey-hued buildings recede into the dusky distance, creating a scenic backdrop.
An intimate table for two awaits, set with fine linens and glittering stemware. Servers, clad in crisp black and white, provide attentive yet unintrusive service all night. Little touches like scattering rose petals across your table or pouring your sparkling wine with choreographed flair make moments more magical.
While ogling dreamy views, couples can share gourmet contemporary Indian dishes with refined presentations. Spice-crusted chops of lamb with pistachio crust wow with incredible tenderness. For a decadent starter, opt for the Basil & Bocconcini kebab generously blanketed in melted mozzarella. Seafood shines in options like char-grilled jumbo prawns in a subtle cardamom & saffron sauce.
Not surprisingly, dessert provides the ultimate opportunity to get dreamy-eyed with your partner. Opt for the malai peda, a cardamom-kissed ricotta fudge resembling sweet clouds. Or let a molten chocolate lava cake ignite sparks at your table. For many couples, it's the most memorable final course in Jaipur.
"I got down on one knee right after they brought out our chocolate soufflés," recalls Ryan T. who surprised his girlfriend at The Terrace Grill. "It was straight out of a romance novel."
Savor Jaipur's Vibrant Flavors Under the Stars: The City's Top Rooftop Restaurants and Alfresco Eateries - Linger Over Dinner and Drinks at Blackout
Blackout's lively ambiance and Prohibition Era-inspired cocktails breathe new life into Jaipur's rooftop dining scene. Located on the top floor of Clarks Amer hotel, Blackout blends Art Deco aesthetics with South Asian flair to create a one-of-a-kind speakeasy vibe. Plan to linger for hours enjoying the extensive cocktail menu along with globally inspired small plates.
"With its Gatsby-esque decor, inventive drinks and killer city views, Blackout made me feel like I was living in some glamorous version of 1920s India," says Amanda K., who visited Jaipur on her honeymoon. "My husband and I had the best date night up on that rooftop."
Upon arriving, an unmarked door leads you up a shadowy stairwell, past walls papered in Bollywood film posters and vintage Raj era advertisements. Emerging onto the candlelit rooftop feels like stumbling upon a hidden oasis. Exposed bulbs emit a moody amber glow, bouncing off mirrored columns and geometric tile floors. Fringed lampshades and velvet couches evoke old Bombay bourgeoisie lounges.
Bartenders clad in suspenders shake and stir artisanal elixirs behind the mirrored bar. The cocktail list takes inspiration from pre-independence India’s thriving bar scene while featuring modern additions like molecular mixology. Signatures like the Jaipur Jewel blend Indian flavors, such as saffron and curry leaf-infused gin, with Italian liqueurs. Foodies appreciate drinks incorporating indigenous specialties like paan and gondhoraj lime.
While sipping clever libations, duos can graze on globally inspired small plates like chilli crab wontons, labneh flatbread with za'atar, and nutty chicken satay with peanut sauce. Come late night, DJs spin atmospheric beats, coaxing patrons to the tiny dance floor. There's no shortage of fun photo ops, posing in the vintage auto rickshaw converted into a booth.
“The vibe was like an illicit cocktail party on someone’s rooftop, where the whole city was invited,” says Gabriella R., who celebrated her anniversary at Blackout. “It was the perfect mix of romance, delicious food and drinks, and just pure fun.”