New menus, exciting launches and fresh culinary concepts are redefining the way we dine. Hashtag Magazine rounds up the latest food spots and flavour-forward experiences worth checking out. What: RumBabaaWhere: Mumbai Mumbai’s café culture welcomes a refreshing new entrant with RumBabaa, an all-day coffee and vinyl-led space in Andheri that feels less like a conventional café and more like a carefully curated pause from the city’s pace. Rooted in Japanese minimalism and slow-living philosophy, the space combines warm lighting, natural textures and an intentionally unhurried atmosphere where music, coffee and conversation take centre stage. The vinyl setup at the heart of the café gives the space its soul, creating a rhythm that evolves gently from calm mornings to relaxed evening wine sessions. The menu balances nourishment with indulgence thoughtfully. Breakfast bowls, inventive egg dishes and globally inspired small plates sit comfortably alongside playful desserts and elevated comfort food. Dishes like the Krapow Omelette, Kataifi Prawns and Tiramisu French Toast showcase the café’s willingness to blend familiar flavours with creative presentation. The coffee programme is equally expansive, featuring everything from V60 pour-overs and cortados to flavour-forward creations like Mango Matcha, Black Sesame Latte and Salted Caramel Espresso Oat Latte. What makes RumBabaa stand out is its emotional warmth. It doesn’t rely on spectacle or excess, instead offering a slower, more mindful hospitality experience where good music, thoughtful food and excellent coffee come together effortlessly. Quietly stylish and deeply comforting, RumBabaa feels like the kind of neighbourhood café Mumbai didn’t realise it needed. What: ButterBrewsWhere: Pune Pune’s café culture continues to evolve, and ButterBrews’ newest outpost in Aundh arrives with a format that feels larger, more polished and intentionally experience-driven. Designed as an all-day café built around comfort and community, the new space balances functionality with warmth through thoughtfully divided indoor, outdoor

Summer in India is not just hot, it is exhausting. You wake up tired. By afternoon, you can barely think straight. You reach for chai, then cold drinks, then more chai. And somehow, by evening, you feel worse than when the day started. Here is what most people don’t know: the food you eat in summer decides how much energy you carry through the day. Heavy, oily meals make you sluggish. Too little food leaves you dizzy. But high-protein vegetarian meals, the kind Indian kitchens have been making for centuries, give your body exactly what it needs to stay sharp, stay cool, and stay strong. Dhanush Kumar writes about the Top 10 High-protein Indian vegetarian meals, which are not fancy supplements, no expensive imports. Just real Indian food, done right. Moong Dal Chilla If you eat just one thing differently this summer, make it this. Moong dal chilla is a thin, crispy pancake made from soaked green moong, and it is one of the lightest, most protein-rich breakfasts in Indian cooking. The magic of moong in summer is real. It is naturally cooling for the body, and it digests easily, so you don’t feel heavy after eating. Add some grated ginger and green chilli, a little ajwain, and serve with green chutney, and you have a breakfast that keeps you full till noon without weighing you down. Children love it. Office-goers love it. Your body in 42 degrees of heat will absolutely love it. Rajma Chawal Yes, it is a classic. Rajma is one of the highest-protein legumes available in India, rich, thick, and deeply satisfying. Pair it with plain rice, and you have a complete meal with all the essential amino acids your body needs. The trick in summer is to make it lighter: Less oil, more tomatoes, skip

What: Bhojanam Where: Hyderabad If you’re craving a meal that feels like home, Bhojanam in Jubilee Hills offers a warm, flavourful journey through the heart of Telugu cuisine. When in the South, a thali is one of those experiences that instantly gets your lips smacking, comforting, wholesome food served traditionally on a banana leaf. In the heart of Hyderabad, Bhojanam brings this experience to life with authenticity and warmth. Located in Jubilee Hills, this sprawling 8,000 sq. ft. space has been thoughtfully put together by Pranavi Chekuri and Teja Chekuri under Fullstack Ventures. Every detail reflects a personal touch. Pranavi, who grew up learning traditional cooking from her grandmother, has incorporated her own family recipes into the menu, even something as simple as rasam is crafted with a deeply homely, authentic flavour. The space is simple yet inviting, with indoor and outdoor seating, and an open kitchen where the aromas of freshly prepared dishes fill the air. At its core, Bhojanam celebrates the rich culinary heritage of the Telugu-speaking regions—Krishna, Godavari, Rayalaseema, and Telangana, through a thoughtfully curated, region-first thali experience. Since I’m allergic to seafood, I opted for the Krishnamma Bhojanam. We began with fresh sugarcane juice, pressed on-site, with hints of lime and ginger, refreshing and perfectly balanced. What followed felt deeply personal. Pranavi joined us for the meal and made sure everything was served just right. Conversations flowed easily about food, influences, and the stories behind certain dishes, adding a layer of warmth to the experience. The meal included dishes like natu kodi vepudu and pulusu, each carrying a distinct homemade quality, nothing overdone, just honest flavours that felt like they belonged in a family kitchen. During a conversation about local Telangana dishes, anapakaya ginjalu (hyacinth beans) came up, and Pranavi mentioned that they make vadas with

As temperatures rise during the summer months, staying hydrated becomes essential for maintaining energy, digestion, and overall health. While water remains the most important source of hydration, traditional summer drinks made with natural ingredients can provide additional nutrients and cooling benefits. Across India and other tropical regions, seasonal beverages made from fruits, herbs, and dairy have long been used to regulate body temperature and replenish minerals lost through sweat. These refreshing drinks not only quench thirst but also support digestion, boost immunity, and help the body stay balanced during intense heat. Here are some easy summer beverages along with their health benefits and simple recipes you can try at home. Aam Panna (Raw Mango Summer Cooler) Aam Panna is a classic summer drink known for its tangy flavour and cooling properties. It is made from raw mangoes blended with spices and herbs. Health BenefitsRaw mangoes are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which help boost immunity and prevent dehydration. The drink also restores electrolytes lost through excessive sweating and protects against heatstroke. Why You Should Drink ItAam Panna is considered one of the best traditional drinks to combat summer fatigue and heat exhaustion. Recipe Ingredients 2 raw mangoes 3 tablespoons sugar or jaggery (adjust to taste) ½ teaspoon roasted cumin powder A few fresh mint leaves A pinch of black salt 2 cups chilled water Method Boil or pressure-cook the raw mangoes until soft. Peel the skin and extract the pulp. Blend the pulp with sugar, mint leaves, cumin powder, and black salt. Add chilled water and mix well. Serve cold with ice and a few mint leaves for garnish. Buttermilk (Chaas) Buttermilk is a light, refreshing drink made from yogurt diluted with water and flavoured with spices. Health BenefitsIt is rich in probiotics, which support gut health and digestion.