About Megu
Megu at The Leela Palace is one of Delhi's most compelling dining destinations, a rare outpost of serious Japanese cuisine in a city better known for its Mughal heritage. Set within the splendid Leela Palace in Chanakyapuri — the city's diplomatic enclave — the restaurant carries the lineage of its Michelin-starred New York sibling, adapting its format for the Indian capital without diluting the craft.
The interior is designed with theatrical restraint: dramatic lighting plays off lacquer surfaces, traditional Japanese motifs appear in unexpected places, and the overall effect is one of controlled luxury. The dining room feels simultaneously intimate and important — precisely the atmosphere required when you need to make an impression.
Chef Megu's menu is anchored in classic Japanese technique while making selective use of locally sourced Indian ingredients. The black cod miso — a dish that has achieved cult status across all Megu outposts — arrives lacquered and trembling, yielding at the touch of chopsticks to reveal flesh that has absorbed the sweet miso marinade for days. The sushi counter offers omakase sequences using fish flown from Tsukiji, a logistical achievement that speaks to the restaurant's commitment to authenticity.
The sake list is one of the most considered in Delhi, curated by a team that genuinely understands the relationship between rice wine and Japanese cuisine. Service is formal without stiffness — attentive, educated, and paced to the rhythm of conversation rather than table turnover.
In a city where Japanese restaurants often compromise on ingredients, Megu does not. It is expensive, deliberately so, and worth every rupee for the guest who understands what they are paying for.
Best Occasion Fit
Megu's combination of dramatic setting, impeccable service, and globally recognised prestige makes it the premier choice for impressing international clients in Delhi. The Leela Palace address signals taste and resources. For a first date with someone who appreciates Japanese cuisine at its apex, few rooms in the city create such a compelling backdrop for conversation.