Rajasthan
SOUTHERN
R AJASTHAN
Rajasthan
DRiNK iNG
Rajasthan
UDA iPUR
Jasmin ̈ MU lTiCU iSiNE $
(mains ₹60-90; h8.30am-11pm) Tasty vegetar-
ian dishes are cooked up here in a lovely,
quiet, open-air spot looking out on the
quaint Daiji footbridge. There are plenty of
Indian options, and some original variations
on the usual multicuisine theme including
Korean and Israeli dishes. The ambience is
super-relaxed and service is friendly. Next
door the Little ̈Prince (mains ₹80-130) has
the same setting and a very similar menu
with slightly higher prices.
Queen ̈Cafe ̈ iND iAN $
(14 Bajrang Marg; mains ₹60-75; h8am-10pm)
This friendly, pocket-sized eatery, on the
ground floor of the family home of ace chef
Meenu, serves up fabulous home-style Indi-
an vegetarian dishes. Try the pumpkin curry
with mint and coconut, and the Kashmir pu-
lao with fruit, vegies and coconut. Don’t pass
on the chocolate desserts either! Meenu also
runs cookery classes from here.
oAmbrai ̈ NORTH iND iAN $$
(%2431085; Amet Haveli hotel; mains ₹250-400;
h12.30-3pm & 7.30-10.30pm) The cuisine at
this scenic restaurant – at lake-shore level,
looking across to the Lake Palace Hotel, Lal
Ghat and the City Palace – does justice to
its fabulous position. Highly atmospheric at
night, Ambrai feels like a French park, with
its wrought-iron furniture, dusty ground
and large shady trees, and there’s a terrific
bar to complement the dining. Call ahead to
reserve a table by the water’s edge.
5 City Palace
Note, you have to pay the ₹25 City Palace en-
trance fee to access the following.
Paantya ̈Restaurant ̈ iND iAN $$$
(%2528016; Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel; mains
₹500-1000; hnoon-3pm & 7-10.30pm) Most
captivating in the evening, this semiformal
restaurant in the ritzy Shiv Niwas Palace
has indoor seating, but if the weather’s warm
enough it’s best in the open-air courtyard
by the pool. Indian classical music is per-
formed nightly, and the food is great. For
local flavour try the very tasty laal maas
dhungar, a Rajasthani spiced and smoked
mutton dish. A beer will set you back a cool
₹475.
Palki ̈Khana ̈ iTA li AN $$$
(City Palace; mains ₹300-500; h9am-6pm) This
informal terrace restaurant is the most
popular place to refuel during a tour of the
City Palace complex. Located centrally in the
large open courtyard beside the entrance to
the museum, it does mostly Italian dishes as
well as good-quality wine, beer (from ₹350)
and coffee (₹110 to ₹150). Note, drinks are
half price between 4.30pm and 5.30pm.6 ̈Drinking
Most guesthouses have a roof terrace serving
up cold Kingfishers with views over the lazy
waters of Lake Pichola. Particularly worth
considering are Jagat ̈Niwas ̈Palace ̈Hotel
and Dream ̈Heaven. For a drink beside the
water’s edge, try Jasmin restaurant or its
equally shanty neighbour Little ̈Prince. For
something more upmarket, head to Ambrai
restaurant.Cafe ̈Edelweiss ̈ CAFE
(73 Gangaur Ghat Rd; coffee from ₹50; h8.30am-
8pm; W) The Savage Garden restaurant folks
run this itsy piece of Europe that appeals
to homesick and discerning travellers with
its baked snacks (sticky cinnamon rolls,
squidgy blueberry chocolate cake, apple
strudel) and good strong coffee.Cafe ̈Namaste ̈ CAFE
(coffee ₹40-70; h7am-10pm) A European-
themed street-side cafe on the ground
floor of Gangaur Palace Hotel that delivers
the goods with scrumptious muffins, apple
pies, cinnamon rolls, brownies and particu-
larly good chocolate cake. The pride and joy,
though, is the shiny silver espresso machine,
which squirts out some fine cups of coffee.Jheel’s ̈Ginger ̈Coffee ̈Bar ̈ CAFE
(Jheel Guest House; coffee ₹50-100; h8am-8pm;
W) Small but slick air-conditioned cafe by
the water’s edge on the ground floor of Jheel
Palace Guest House. Large windows afford
good lake views, and the coffee is excellent.
Also does a range of cakes and snacks. Note,
you can take your coffee up to the open-air
rooftop restaurant if you like, but there’s no
alcohol served here.Panera ̈Bar ̈ BAR
(Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel; beer from ₹475, shots
from ₹250; h11.30am-10pm) Sink into plush
sofas surrounded by huge mirrors, royal
portraits and beautiful paintwork, or sit out
by the pool, and be served like a maharaja.Anand ̈Bar ̈ BAR
(Ambrai Restaurant, Amet Haveli Hotel; beer
from ₹150; h11.30am-10.30pm) The fabulous