-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org)
Celebrated Chef Manish Mehrotra has officially opened the doors to Nisaba, his highly anticipated flagship restaurant located in the heritage precinct of the Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site Museum at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi. Marking a significant new chapter under the Manish Mehrotra Culinary Arts (MMCA) banner, Nisaba is a collaboration with founding partners Amit Khanna and Binny Bansal. The restaurant moves away from the “modern Indian” or “progressive” labels that defined Mehrotra’s previous tenure at Indian Accent, opting instead for a grounded, deliberate, and deeply personal expression of Indian food.
Set against the lush, historic backdrop of Sunder Nursery, Nisaba takes its name from the Sumerian deity of grain and writing, symbolizing a marriage of nourishment and narrative. The 130-cover space, designed by Via Design, features a bright, airy atmosphere by day and a warm, candlelit ambiance by night. At its heart sits a striking sculptural installation by Dhananjay Singh, reflecting themes of growth and renewal.
The menu at Nisaba is a result of nine months of rigorous trials, featuring 45 curated dishes that draw inspiration from regional homes, street vendors, and dhabas. Standout small plates include the Samosa with Moradabadi Dal, finished with ‘everything chutney’ and buknu masala, and the Mutton Seekh Kabab with Blue Cheese Butter. For mains, the Motihari Mutton Curry—served in a clay pot with sattu-hing kachoris—pays homage to Mehrotra’s roots in Bihar. The dessert menu is equally nostalgic, headlined by the Baked Rasmalai, which masterfully combines rasmalai, rabri, firni, and mishti doi.
Sharing his vision for the new venture, Chef Manish Mehrotra stated: “Nisaba is deeply personal to me; it reflects where I come from and how I see Indian cuisine today. The Heritage Table allows for a more intimate exchange with guests, where food becomes a medium for storytelling, context, and connection. We aren’t focusing on techniques but the food itself—soul-satisfying food that looks cool but feels familiar.”
With no tasting menus and a bar program that avoids novelty for novelty’s sake, Nisaba invites diners to rediscover Indian cuisine in its most honest form.
