Amritsar’s First Dual-Concept Restaurant Is A Cafe By Day And A High-Energy Bar By Night

My Amritsar itinerary is usually fixed — a morning visit to the Golden Temple followed by kulcha-chhole and jalebi for breakfast, washed down with a tall glass of cream-laden lassi. The rest of the visit is spent eating more street food, and I rarely venture into restaurants. But I made an exception on my recent trip to check out the spanking new Tepah by the Bagh, a stylish cafe-restaurant that transforms into a pulsating cocktail bar in the evening. 

In The Flow

Tepah is the second venture for sibling entrepreneurs Shreya and Shorya Nayyar. Their first outing was The Bagh (opened October 2022), a sprawling 1.5-acre garden restaurant that's quite popular with Amritsar's jet-set. While The Bagh is set on the outskirts, Tepah is on Ranjit Avenue, the city’s happening F&B hub. Walk inside and you will be forgiven for wondering where in the world you are. Not only is it a far cry from Amritsar’s rustic vibe, but it can also give many Mumbai/Delhi/Bengaluru restaurants a run for their money. It’s minimalist yet glamourous, with fluid contours and raw elemental textures. Crafted by Delhi-based Headlight Design Studio, the space — with curving and undulating walls — feels sculpted rather than built. 

There are many eye-catching elements, from the levitating boulders hovering mid-air above a reflective water body flanked by lush greenery to the monolithic stone bar with a sculpted ceiling carved with root-like formations. Two 1,200-kilo concrete boulders stand guard by the high tables. Even the light fixtures carry forward the design language, whether it's the round concrete dome lights or resin pendant lights designed to mimic dried petals caught mid-motion.

Night Moves

It’s late evening when I first visit Tepah and it’s all very atmospheric; the lights are dim and an ethereal fog rises up from the water body. The bar, which is named Roots, is humming with activity, led by head mixologist Anshul Tiwari, who was crowned first runner-up at the World Class India Competition in 2024. The signature cocktail list showcases his mastery of techniques and an innate sense of flavours. First up is Lassi, which Tiwari calls “Punjab in a glass”; indeed, it’s all the familiar tastes of the state’s iconic drink in a clarified vodka-based form. It’s served in a tall mitti glass spritzed with rosewater and topped with sabudana papad (a nod to the thick cream atop Amritsari lassi). The eponymous Roots cocktail is a mildly savoury tequila, carrot, basil, and yuzu concoction while Family Hi-Ball is an easy-drinking whisky-based cocktail with kaffir lime and green apple. 

Nostalgia comes in the form of Mulberry House, Tiwari’s ode to the mulberry tree at his family home in Dehradun; the gin and chardonnay cocktail spiked with mulberry cordial is served like a snow cone. Spice Route reminds me of Mango Bite candy with its sweet-tangy combination of gin, young turmeric, and mango soda. The drink of the moment, picante gets a Korean twist with gochujang and jalapeno, and is dramatically topped with salted peach air foam. The drinks are ably complemented by tapas like Peking duck waffle, bell pepper and artichoke canape, assorted dim sum, sushi and more. Helmed by corporate chef Rajesh Thapliyal, the kitchen caters to all tastes from Indian and Italian to pan-Asian.

Morning After

Considering the evening debauchery, the earliest I can make it to Tepah the next day is for brunch. A strong hot espresso (beans by Delhi-based Quick Brown Fox Coffee Roasters) resurrects me and I’m ready to eat through the substantial menu. There are eggs any way you like, including Benedict, shakshuka, and moreish Chilaquiles i.e. sunny-side-up eggs served with smashed avocado, salsa, beans, and tortilla. For big appetites, there’s the full English breakfast and for the health-conscious there are smoothie bowls and a fantastic tofu scramble. I satisfy my sweet tooth with a vanilla pancake stack (layered with custard and berries) and the Tepah Toast that I’m still dreaming about — stuffed brioche with custard, berries, and choice of Nutella or Lotus Biscoff. Chef Anukriti Anand of Delhi’s Ate cafe is the consulting pastry chef at Tepah, and her patisserie creations are as delish as they look — whether it’s the petit gateaux and flourless cakes or eclairs and Swiss rolls or the stunning carrot cake. Pair your food with all kinds of flavoured lattes (think strawberry matcha or tiramisu), or brunch-perfect cocktails (I recommend Floral Spritzer, Glitch, and Zest & Zing). 

ELLE Gourmet's Verdict

With its unique cafe-bar concept, innovative cocktails, and lip-smacking food, Tepah by the Bagh is all set to shake up Amritsar’s dining scene. 

Tepah by the Bagh, 2^nd Floor, Sco no 13-14 D-Block, Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar; 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.