7 Best Queer-Friendly Restaurants To Try in India

As we all enjoy all of the new enhancements in our nation and society, it’s lovely to see people participating and curating unique experiences for all communities. Considering all the rage, we have something special in today’s Things2do guide for the Queer community. Things to do near you if you’re a member of this thriving, beautiful, and empowering community. 

What does India have for them, and what unique experiences does it provide? We’ve compiled a list of some of India’s best and top queer-friendly restaurants in India. The queer community is welcomed in every corner of the state, and we’ve highlighted some of our favourites here!

Mumbai 

1Kitty Su – Heaven for Queer Community in Mumbai!

Who hasn’t heard of Kitty Su? Apparently, this famous party hub is not only famous for all of the fancy-themed parties in Mumbai, but also for being one of the trendiest places that welcome the LGBTQ+ community wholeheartedly.

After their same-sex marriage, Keshav Suri and Cyril Feuillebois thought, why not create a space in India for which most queer couples travel abroad? This is how Kitty Su, the finest nightclub at The Lalit in Mumbai, got its start. In the last three years, Kitty Su has evolved into more than just a safe haven for the LGBTQ community which makes it one of the Best queer-friendly restaurants in Mumbai.

We are proud to say that it has evolved into a welcoming environment, employing people who face discrimination in our society for various reasons (including victims of acid attacks) and working to mainstream marginalised voices. In other words, it is a place for #PureLove.

After establishing a strong trademark and providing the audience with a sophisticated nightlife experience, Kitty Su has made its way to Delhi’s The Lalit. Kolkata is the next city to land, but we only know one thing about it: it is India’s top LGBTQ+-friendly club.

2Bambai Nazariyan – Nazariyan Badlo, Nazariyan Badlega!

We’re sure you’ve heard of Bambai Nazariya after seeing all the buzz on Instagram! A one-of-a-kind and lovely cafe run by transgender people in Mumbai. It’s an invention given to us in order to raise awareness about how having a Queer community around us is a beautiful thing.

It shows how all employees are transgender and how they greet their guests with the utmost respect, affection, and a huge smile on their faces. The vibe is warm and welcoming. The cafe is well-known for its ‘pink chai’ and other traditional Bambai dishes. ‘Nazariya Badlo, Nazariya Badlega’ is the slogan to which they are attempting to persuade people, and it certainly makes sense. People on the internet, like us, are eager to visit this hangout spot in Mumbai. If you are on the search for one of the Best queer-friendly restaurants in Mumbai, Mumbai Nazariya has to be the one! 

Pune 

3Le Flamington

This lovely cafe in Pune has long been known as one of the best and most distinctive places to visit in Pune. So, when the owners, Khuzaan Dalal and Taha Khan, met and fell in love, this cafe was born. Five years after their first date, this gay couple decided to open Le Flamington to introduce everyone to the finest flavours of European cuisine with a queer-friendly restaurant in Pune.

The desire to bring great food to people. This cafe/bakery serves the most delectable bonbons, entremets, artisanal bakes, and other treats. And many conversations take place here over a cup of coffee.

The overall vibe here feels more like a posh city hub ideal for dates, birthday parties, casual meetups, and more. Everyone is warmly welcomed here, not just the LGBTQ community. This cosy and one-of-a-kind spot had to make the cut, as did our hearts! 

Delhi

4Chez Jerome Q Cafe – Love has no Boundaries!

Delhi’s first LGBTQ+ cafe – Chez Jerome Q Cafe is one of our favourite hangout joints in the city. Unlocking access to the best views of our magnificent Qutub Minnar this gem has bought the ‘Love has no Boundaries’ motto to life. 

It welcomes the queer community and provides a safe space for them to socialise without fear of being judged, as well as an outlet for their emotions through the medium of art. This cafe is currently closed, and we know that many people want to visit it, but the entire concept and idea of this place captivated us so much that we had to add it here.

It also aims to make the community feel safe and free in a public space when dining and enjoying the nightlife. They used to have live events, Karaoke nights, Drag nights, and other things during non-pandemic times. People in the LGBTQ+ community consider Chez Jerome Q Cafe as one of the Best queer-friendly restaurants in Delhi. 

5Kitty Su, Delhi – A Place for Lovers of Celebrations!  

We don’t really need to explain what Kitty Su is because it’s one of the famous and lively nightclubs that cater to a safe and comfortable environment for all. After the owners, Keshav Suri and Cyril Feuillebois successfully launched their first-ever outlet in Mumbai, they decided that Delhi would be the best place to launch it.

Not only is the name fancy, but the food and drinks are as well, and the city’s hottest parties are held here, so it’s no surprise that the queer community enjoys it! Kitty Su in Delhi is also known as one of the best LGBTQ+-friendly restaurants in Delhi. 

Hyderabad 

6People’s Choice Cafe – The Name Says it All!

The name itself perfectly describes the overall vibe of this cafe in Hyderabad. “Everything is colourful here, from the food to the people,” says the tagline of Hyderabad’s first LGBTQ+ friendly cafe. This one-of-a-kind and quiet cafe was founded by Hephzibah Smith, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and Mohammed Adam, her business partner. 

It was founded after Hephzibah witnessed inappropriate behaviour toward members of Bengaluru’s LGBTQ+ community. Her initiative was to create a safe and modern space for the queer community as well as everyone else. Kudos on her thoughtful concept and overall curation of this laid-back cafe in makes it a perfect LGBTQ+-friendly restaurant in Hyderabad.

At PCC, you can eat delicious dishes like pasta, burgers, beverages, sandwiches, and more. You can be sure that your time will be memorable!

Kolkata

7Amra Odbhut Cafe – We are Queer Cafe

Amra Odbhut Cafe seeks to alleviate uniqueness by providing an inclusive space that witnesses free and creative gestures, vital dialogic exchange, important conversations, and emphatic interactions between queer people and their partners in Kolkata and beyond. The name was changed from Adamant Eve to Amra Odbhut, which is also a phrase in the Bengali song ‘Amra Nuton Jouboneri Dut’ by Rabindranath Tagore.

Nandini Moitra, Upasana Agarwal, and Raina Roy founded this café in response to the lack of a physical space for the LGBTQIA+ community to socialise without being judged or restricted. It is a laid-back cafe that is small and cute but full of enlightening vibes.

These 3 entrepreneurs have initiated a very unique and thoughtful idea by introducing this queer-friendly cafe in the city of joy, and we are joyed to put it on this list. So make sure you visit Amra Odbhut Cafe, one of the best queer-friendly hotels in Kolkata! 

India is full of cultures and communities, everyone has their own way of living and enjoy their life. The way a rainbow is made with different colours and yet looks beautiful, we have people with different perspectives and opinions and that’s beautiful. After the act of Section 377, India has seen an increase in the number of cafes, clubs, and experiences that are LGBTQ+ friendly. Here are a few of them; choose your favourite and plan a visit with your queer friends soon!

by Vaidehi Pakhale

Writer at Things2do