Harvest On The Table! Your Guide To The Finest Pongal, Lohri, And Makar Sakranti Menus Across India

India’s harvest season arrives with a sense of renewal, community, and culinary nostalgia. January brings a tapestry of celebrations, from Lohri in the North and Uttarayan in Gujarat to Poush Sankranti in the East and Pongal in the South, each rooted in gratitude for the year’s first yield. Across the country, restaurants and hotels honour these traditions with menus shaped by winter produce, heirloom grains, time-honoured sweets, and festive rituals that bring people together. This list gathers the most thoughtful seasonal offerings of 2026, where regional flavours, modern interpretations, and the warmth of the harvest come alive on the plate.

Bengaluru

1. Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road

Pongal emerges as a celebration of harvest, gratitude, and prosperity at Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road. The experience opens with Medu Vadai and Kuzhi Paniyaram, followed by the centrepiece, Ven Pongal, slow-cooked with rice, lentils, ghee, and pepper, served with Sambar and Coconut Chutney. Regional classics such as Kara Kuzhambu, Avial, seasonal Poriyals, and traditional condiments add depth to the spread. Sakkarai Pongal concludes the meal, symbolising prosperity for the year ahead. 

Where: The Square, Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road
When: January 10 to January 14, 2026
Price: INR 2799 + taxes

2. Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata

The hotels celebrate the harvest season with two special dining experiences: a lunch at F5 on January 14, showcasing South Indian classics like cabbage poriyal, arisi paruppu sadam, kai kari mandi, and chakara pongal; and a Lohri Dinner at Neo Kitchen on January 15 featuring robust North Indian flavours inspired by the festival’s bonfire traditions.

Where: F5 & Neo Kitchen, Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park
When:
– Pongal Lunch: January 14, 2026 | 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm | INR 1750++
– Lohri Dinner: January 15, 2026 | 7 pm to 11 pm | INR 2650++
Reservations: +91 8171904081, +91 8618956798

3. Madras Kitchen, Marriott Executive Apartments Bengaluru UB City

Madras Kitchen celebrates the harvest season with a limited-time Pongal thali featuring Ven Pongal, Sakkarai Pongal, traditional vegetable preparations, sambar, rasam, kootu, chutneys, pickles, papad, and a festive sweet finale. Complemented by buttermilk and filter coffee, the experience blends home-style comfort with South India’s culinary heritage, served in a warm, festive setting.

Where: Madras Kitchen, Marriott Executive Apartments Bengaluru UB City
When: January 13 to 17, 2026 | 12 pm to 11 pm
Price: INR 999 + taxes

4. The Verandah, Grand Mercure Bangalore

The Verandah celebrates the harvest season with a comforting Pongal lunch featuring Khara Pongal, Mango Chitranna, Avial, Surrakkai Kootu, Avarekai Palya, Palak Pappu, Cabbage Poriyal, Kosimbiri, Dahi Vada, and a festive dessert spread including Sweet Pongal, Badami Semiya Payasam, Elaneer Payasam, Mysore Pak, and Jaggery Coconut Burfi. The meal captures the warmth and simplicity of Karnataka’s harvest tables.

Where: The Verandah, Grand Mercure Bangalore, Koramangala
When: January 14–15, 2026 | 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Price: INR 1950 + taxes (buffet)

5. JW Kitchen, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru

JW Kitchen marks the harvest season with a Pongal lunch and dinner featuring Arisi Paruppu Sadam, Avial, Snake Gourd Kootu, Mochai Kuzhambu, Mor Kuzhambu, Thayir Sadam, and Appalam, along with festive favourites like Medu Vadai and Kara Paniyaram. Desserts include Sakkarai Pongal and Elaneer Payasam, creating a warm and traditional harvest celebration.

Where: JW Kitchen, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru
When: January 14, 2026 | Lunch & Dinner
Price: Lunch INR 2750 + taxes | Dinner INR 3250 + taxes
Reservations: +91 88844 94037

6. The Hebbal Cafe, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal

The Hebbal Cafe celebrates the harvest season with a Pongal Brunch featuring Ven Pongal, Sweet Pongal, Chitranna, Murungakkai Masala, sugarcane mocktails, and festive accompaniments, curated by Executive Chef Rajeev. The menu blends tradition with modern presentation, offering a warm, soulful festive dining experience.

Where: The Hebbal Cafe, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal
When: January 14 | 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Price: INR 2499++ per adult | INR 1249++ per child
Reservations: +91 96064 82968

7. Lohri Restaurant 

A winter-special menu featuring Sarson da Gosht, Murgh Lababdar, Khoya Mutter Makhana, Makki da Shorba, Paya Shorba, and festive breads like Palak aur Lasun Naan. Rabdi Paratha adds a nostalgic breakfast touch, while Atte ka Halwa and Gajar ka Halwa round off the feast.

Where: Ground Floor, Trinity Circle, Old Madras Road (Opp. 1 MG Mall)
When: 9 to 18 January
Phone: +91 9035844843

8. LOYA, Taj West End Bengaluru

LOYA marks Lohri with a refined menu centred on seasonal, slow-cooked preparations. Highlights include Til Bhutte ke Kebab, Surkh Kunna Gosht with achari roti, Sarson ka Saag, Peppay Wale Chole, Dhaniya Mirch ka Kukkad, and desserts like Gajrela and Kulfi Falooda. 

Where: LOYA, Taj West End, Bengaluru
Dates: 10 to 15 January 2025
Price: ₹4,500++ per person
Timings: Lunch: 12:00 pm–11:30 pm

Chennai

9. Southern Spice, Taj Coromandel, Chennai

Southern Spice celebrates the harvest season with a special Pongal Virundhu featuring Kalkandu Pongal, Athirasam, Kai Murukku, Vadu Mangai Stuffed Kuzhi Paniyaram, Nattu Kai Sambar, Padaipu Kozhambu, and Beans & Carrot Paruppu Usili. Crafted by Executive Chef Vikas Milhoutra and team, the menu highlights timeless Tamil flavours in a setting inspired by Chola, Pallava, and Pandya temple architecture.

Where: Southern Spice, Taj Coromandel, Chennai
When: January 14–18, 2026 | Lunch & Dinner
Price: À la carte | INR 2500 onwards + taxes

10. Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa

The Reef celebrates Pongal with Harvest, Heritage and Flavour, a three-day culinary tribute to Tamil Nadu’s agrarian traditions. Guests can savour festive dishes rooted in seasonality and culture, set against the resort’s coastal backdrop.

Dates: 14 to 16 January 2026
Venue: The Reef, Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa

Mumbai

11. Malgudi

Malgudi brings the warmth and significance of the harvest festival to Mumbai with a Pongal Thali inspired by traditional South Indian homes. The festive spread stays true to authenticity with Ven Pongal enriched with ghee, Avial, Karaikudi-style vegetable preparations, crisp Vadas, Sambar, and Rasam. The celebration extends to dessert with Sakkarai Pongal and Payasam, echoing the abundance and comfort of a harvest meal.  

Where: All Malgudi outlets in Mumbai
When: January 14, 2026
Price: ₹599 + GST

12. Dakshin, ITC Grand Central

Dakshin presents a festive Pongal Special Thali featuring Appalam, chutneys, sugarcane, Rasam, Ennippu Paniyaram, Makka Cholai Vadai, and an extensive main-course spread including Kadamba Poriyal, Urulai Sothi, Poondu Kara Kozhambu, Pasalakkeerai Kootu, Poosinikai Sambar, and Ven Pongal. The thali is served with steamed rice, veechu paratha, appam, curd, and concludes with Sarkarai Pongal and traditional filter coffee. A non-vegetarian version is available on request.

Where: Dakshin, ITC Grand Central, Mumbai
When: January 10 to 18, 2026
Time: Lunch 12:30 pm to 3 pm; Dinner 7 pm to 11:30 pm
Price: Veg Thali INR 3750++; Non-Veg Thali INR 3750++ (on request)

13. Novotel Mumbai International Airport

Food Exchange celebrates Sankranti with a festive lunch featuring Undhiyu, Sweet Pongal, Tilgul laddoos, and a harvest-inspired spread blending nostalgic flavours with contemporary finesse. Ideal for family gatherings in a stylish, open-kitchen setting.

Where: Food Exchange, Novotel Mumbai International Airport
When: 14 January 2026
Price: ₹2,295++ per person

14. JW Café, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar

JW Café welcomes the season with its Sunday Winter Harvest Brunch featuring hearty soups, vegetable-led mains, harvest grills, indulgent desserts, and interactive live stations. A special highlight is the Pongal Bar at the Hyperlocal Counter, offering traditional Pongal varieties and seasonal accompaniments for a festive regional touch.

Where: JW Café, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar
When: Sundays

Mysuru

15. The Verandah, ibis Styles Mysuru

The Verandah celebrates Pongal, Makara Sankranti, Magh Bihu, and Lohri with a special dinner buffet curated by Chef Gaurav Bansal, featuring Sarson ka Saag with Makai Roti, Millet Khichdi, Undhiyo, Ven Pongal, Sakkarai Pongal, Til ke Ladoo, Bajre ka Halwa, Payasam, and more. The menu brings together regional harvest traditions for a warm, festive dining experience.

Where: The Verandah, ibis Styles Mysuru
When: 9 to 18 January | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Price: INR 1099++ (Dinner Buffet) | Beverages à la carte

16. Khandani Rajdhani

Khandani Rajdhani celebrates India’s harvest and winter traditions with Utsav, a festive thali inspired by Lohri, Poush Sankranti, Uttarayan, and Pongal. The specially curated spread features Undhiyu, Dhokla, Paneer Kadai, Jaisalmeri Chana Masala, Palak Puri, and Veg Patty, ending on a sweet note with Til Laddoo, Motichur Laddoo, and Gajar ka Halwa. A wholesome celebration of seasonality, nostalgia, and festive dining.

Where: All Khandani Rajdhani outlets
When: 13–18 January 2025

New Delhi

17. Vivanta New Delhi, Dwarka

Creo at Vivanta Dwarka celebrates the country’s harvest traditions with two festive evenings dedicated to Lohri and Pongal. The Lohri night features a bonfire, live dhol, festive décor and a lavish buffet of Punjabi winter favourites, while Pongal brings a refined South Indian harvest dinner honouring abundance and gratitude.

Where: 14 January 2026
Venue: Creo & Alfresco Area, Vivanta New Delhi, Dwarka

18. The Connaught, New Delhi – IHCL SeleQtions

The Connaught marks the harvest season with regional celebrations at The Hub, offering a North Indian winter thali for Lohri and a soulful South Indian menu for Pongal. Both experiences highlight seasonal produce, familiar flavours and the joy of shared festive meals.

When: 14 to 17 January 2026
Where: The Hub, The Connaught, New Delhi – IHCL SeleQtions

19. Ikk Panjab

A hearty Lohri celebration built on age-old Punjabi winter recipes. The tasting menu includes Sarson da Saag with Makki di Roti, smoky Baingan ka Bharta, Saag Gosht finished with white butter, Charsi Tikka, Makai da Shorba, Kharode da Shorba, and Adrak ka Halwa. A nostalgic tribute to Punjab’s winter table.

Where: Connaught Place (Delhi), GK2 M Block (Delhi), Golf Course Road (Gurgaon), Madhya Marg (Chandigarh), Rajouri Garden (Delhi)
Price: ₹2,500++

Indore

20. Sheraton Grand Palace Indore

S Café hosts a Lohri-themed dinner with rustic décor, phulkari accents, a traditional bonfire, and a buffet starring winter favourites like Makki di Roti, Sarson da Saag, Punjabi Pinni, Gajak, and Rewari. Also, a vibrant festive brunch celebrating regional harvest traditions with Puliyodharai, Undhiyu, Sesame-spiced Veg Curry with Rajgira Poori, Bhogichi Bhaji, Curd Rice with tempered sesame, and desserts like Puran Poli, Sakkarai Sadam, and Nolen Gurer Payesh. Kite décor, live folk music and kids’ activities elevate the experience.

Where: S Café, Sheraton Grand Palace Indore
When: Lohri: 13 January 2026, 7 pm–11 pm
Makar Sankranti: 14 January 2026, 12:30 pm–3:30 pm