Check out these LGBTQIA+ Owned Restaurants & Cafes in India

It’s June! It’s Pride Month! It’s time for all of us to honor the queer community and acknowledge the work needed to improve socioeconomic conditions and ensure that every LGBTQIA+ member is a full and equal citizen everywhere. Some celebrations extend beyond this month. As we celebrate the community, we also want to affirm the queer community’s achievements. Queer people own and run various ventures like cafés, restaurants, hospitality businesses, nightclubs, adventure outfitters, libraries, and more within the country, providing a haven for other members of the queer community to live their lives without fear. Here are six LGBTQIA+-owned restaurants in India that curate delicious meals in a safe and welcoming environment.

Kitty Su, Delhi and Mumbai

This party central in Delhi and Mumbai is owned by an icon of the queer community. It was started by Keshav Suri, the executive director of the Lalit Suri Hospitality group. Kitty Su has always advocated for the causes and issues of the LGBTQIA+. This spot might have started out as another nightclub in Delhi and Mumbai, but over the years, it has transformed into a space that promotes diversity and breaks normative gender discourses. They have gender-neutral bathrooms, showcase drag performances and are open to everyone, regardless of who you identify as. The nightclub is famous for the wide range of drinks they serve and live gigs too. 

Where: The Lalit Hotel, Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi and Ground Floor The LaLit Mumbai, Airport Road, Navpada, Marol, Andheri East, Mumbai.

Le Flamington, Pune

Founded by Khuzaan Dalal and his partner Taha Khan, one look at this place will make you realise what a labour of love looks like. Having met on a dating app in 2012, the couple took the next big step in their relationship in 2017, by starting this charming Parisian-style cafe together. They are known for single-origin chocolates, artisanal international breads, viennoiseries, great coffee, and more. Their signature dessert called 'The Grey' is a flourless chocolate cake made with activated charcoal jelly, smoked chocolate cream and raspberry milk chocolate. It was purportedly inspired by the best-selling 'Fifty Shades of Grey' book by E. L. James.

Where: 88, East Ave, Palace View Society, Ramwadi, Kalyani Nagar, Pune

DIVA The Italian Restaurant, New Delhi

The brainchild of chef Ritu Dalmia, this restaurant serves sumptuous Italian food in a fine dining setting. She is the stalwart of Italian food in India and the undisputed queen of Indian fine dining. Chef Dalmia has been an inspiration for many as a gay woman from a conservative Marwari family. As she has become a brand and success story in herself, Dalmia was one of the five petitioners who challenged Article 377 in court. The DIVA Group LGBTQ+ owned restaurant is not only a champion of inclusivity, but also of great food.

Where: M-8A, M Block Market, Greater Kailash II, New Delhi

Edible Archives, Goa

Owners Anumitra Ghosh Dastidar and Shalini Krishan whip up five-course meals using fresh, seasonal produce, seafood, meat and grains directly obtained from farmers and local vendors in their corner of Goa. Together they have created a beautiful eatery in Anjuna, where they welcome guests irrespective of their gender identities or sexual orientation. They truly aim to take patrons and guests on a culinary trip across India with their ingredient-driven menu.

Where: 1301, Anjuna Mapusa Road, Kumbhar Vaddo, Anjuna, Goa

The House Of Celeste, Gurugram

The House of Celeste is a restaurant that explores India’s pluralistic, yet unified sense of togetherness and belonging. It celebrates its evolving legacy of rich traditional food recipes, passed down over generations, through visual storytelling devices. Cookbook author, educator and Michelin-star chef Suvir Saran created the space to offer flavourful Indian cuisine in a cosy setting. 

Where: Unit No. 8, 32nd Avenue, Sector 15 Part 2, Sector 15, Gurugram

Rudy’s, Goa

Rudy’s Bar and Grill is run by Maanav Dev, a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. The bar is one of the hosts for the Pride De Goa, the state's pride parade. Rudy’s has quite the reputation for serving some of the best cocktails in town. It is a pet-friendly spot too, so your furry friends can definitely show up here with you to chill and enjoy some sea-breeze.

Where: House no. 639, Little Vagator, Vagator, Goa

People’s Choice Cafe, Secunderabad

This is the first queer cafe in the city of Nawabs. People’s Choice is an LGBTQ+ owned cafe that believes in keeping everything colourful, from its food to its people. Founded by Hephzibah Smith, an LGBTQ+ ally, and her business partner Mohammed Adam, this place welcomes everyone with open arms and treats them to delicious offerings. From grills and pasta to burgers and milkshakes, you will get it all. Don’t miss out on their Rainbow Menu that they do on every Sunday, an LGBTQ+ special.

Where: Near Bhavans, 34-72/1, Road Number 4, Vivekanandapuram Colony, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad, Telangana