It is not every day that a site as historic as Lutyen Delhi’s Teen Murti Bhavan, the former residence of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, transforms into the city’s most designed forward fine-dining destination.
But since that time, Forest Table — an expansive fine-dine spanning 30,000 sq ft has come up on the terrace of Nehru Planetarium, the government estate that is usually quiet and a snooze fest, is now buzzing. Delhi’s high-end crowd couldn’t stop marvelling over its organic design, the choice of a landmark location and a menu offering Modern Indian, Vietnamese and continental cuisine.
Curious to know how a government state has become the city’s new hangout, we reached Forest Table on a nippy December night. Tucked into the northern edge of Teen Murti Estate, the space opened like a best-kept secret — neem-lined paths, blooming sadabahar and towering banyans set the mood. One step in, and you know this isn’t just dinner; it takes you into the wild.
Landmark location
Following a few wayfinding signs, we stood in front of the octagonal restaurant that wraps itself around the Nehru planetarium dome. The 150-seater dine-in naturally unfolded into a counterclockwise flow through five different quadrants, including both indoor and outdoor seating zones. While the indoor seating zone offered panoramic views of the estate’s greenery, the outdoor terrace situated opposite the 700-year-old Shikargah, built by the Tughlaq dynasty, named the Kushak Mahal, added cultural richness.
We perched ourselves comfortably in the outdoors under warm night lamps glowing the shaded groves of Amrak, Belpathu and Gurbelia. “No trees were disturbed during construction, and sightlines to the Kushak Mahal were consciously preserved and enhanced,” says Forest Table co-founders, Sachin Gupta and Neha Gupta, who have also designed the place, being the founders of luxury interiors brand Beyond Designs. “We wanted the restaurant to feel like a table set within this forested setting, a place where the act of dining is a luxury defined by calm, grounded and reflective,” says Sachin.
Neha tells about the unique location, “The terrace of the Nehru Planetarium sits within one of Delhi’s most culturally and historically resonant estates, with direct views of the Kushak Mahal. It offered a rare opportunity to create a dining experience that belongs to its surroundings rather than competing with them. We intended to dissolve dining into history, landscape, and civic memory, not to impose novelty on a public landmark.”
Organic Architecture
Forest Table stood as a new address for anyone who likes to indulge in quiet luxury with no trace of theatricality. It melds naturally with the forest setting, exemplifying organic architecture. Imagine natural reflections on glass, silhouettes of foliage, soft pools of light filtering through trees in day and pastel tones of dove, sage and blush, creating a sense of grounding.
“At Forest Table, luxury is expressed through meaningful design choices anchored in restraint and depth rather than excess. The architecture is defined by transparency: floor-to-ceiling glass, open terraces, and controlled views that frame tree canopies and the Kushak Mahal. Even the materials were selected to echo the estate’s historic fabric: rubble masonry, preserved stone flooring, wooden ceilings, pastel mosaic tiles, and wrought-iron detailing. The furniture is crafted in rattan, wood, bamboo, and glass to maintain lightness, while curated vintage pieces (like pianolas, cabinets, and patinated railings) add layers of memory,” says Sachin.
The restaurant creates a sense of civic renewability where colonial past, sultanate culture, and undisturbed ecological setting come together for meaningful luxury.
What’s On Plate
While telling us about the design and architecture of Forest Table, Neha and Sachin also spill out some amazing food recommendations from the evolving menu. “Begin with lighter, layered starters that highlight gentle fermentations or nuanced broths, followed by a Modern Indian main that reinterprets familiar flavours with restraint,” says Neha.
Skipping the soups, we dive straight into our Japanese love affair with Sushi for umami-rich taste. Amongst Paneer Popcorn and Tandoori Chicken Popcorn, our heart went for the latter, where tender smoky chicken was loved for its spicy crispy coating. The Nachos with Salsa were nothing to write home about but the star dish, Spiced Chicken Dimsum, gave many lip-smacking moments with the warm delicate parcels bursting in mouth with flavourful dips.
In between sips of spiced, warm mulled wine made our repast a pre-Christmassy feast with notes of cinnamon, clove, star anise and orange bringing depth and aroma to the drink. We finished off our meal with golden-crispy Fish and Chips with greens on the sides for a comforting, savoury and herbaceous finale. As we bid adieu, we are already plotting a daytime return soon to soak in the full forest mood, when the place is in its element.
