Chef Manish Mehrotra Unveils NISABA at Sunder Nursery

Chef Manish Mehrotra is set to open NISABA, his first restaurant under the Manish Mehrotra Culinary Arts (MMCA) banner, at the historic Sunder Nursery in the Humayun’s Tomb complex on 17th January 2026.

Named after the ancient goddess of grain and writing, NISABA draws inspiration from everyday dishes found across India with flavours shaped quietly over time in homes, small towns and neighbourhoods, and by people who cook with instinct and skill outside the spotlight.

“At NISABA, we bring dishes from across India, some known only in their own bylanes and towns, and others more familiar. Much of my inspiration comes from the people who cook quietly and skilfully across India, the street vendors, dhabas, thelas and many more. We cook with care, minimise waste and work with producers we trust. Good food, done honestly,” said Chef Mehrotra.

The menu at NISABA has been designed to present these ideas in a contemporary restaurant format, staying familiar while emphasising precision, discipline and clean flavours. The restaurant offers both a la carte and seasonal menus, with plans for special collaborations and high tea menus at a later stage.

The beverage program follows the same food philosophy with an exquisite wine selection thoughtfully designed to complement each dish on the menu. Both cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages follow a back-to-basics approach, focusing on simple, balanced flavours, curated with equal attention, and highlighting seasonal and expressive ingredients.

Chef Manish’s vision continues in NISABA's interior design, which focuses on warmth, natural light, and clean lines. The space is designed to shift from bright and open during the day to dramatic and intimate in the evening, with lighting that highlights the subtle accents and details of the bar, lounge, and dining room.

Staying true to Chef Manish Mehrotra’s legacy of food as an expression of art, a central feature of the entire dining space is an iconic sculpture by artist Dhananjay Singh, reflecting the rhythm of growth, where grain becomes form and form returns to grain, embodying NISABA’s spirit of creation, renewal, and interconnectedness. The restaurant also includes a Private Dining Room for groups of up to 14 guests.

NISABA is led by Chef Manish Mehrotra, backed by Founding Partners Amit Khanna and Binny Bansal. Shubham Upadhyay leads the front-of-house. Together, they bring a shared vision to present Indian food with clarity, respect and contemporary relevance. The restaurant also offers catering and curated dining experiences for private events across homes, venues and locations globally.