Vidhi Gupta
22-Sep-2026
Temperature-controlled wine cellars, classic decor, and a new menu await at Le Cirque at The Leela Palace New Delhi.
Le Cirque at The Leela Palace New Delhi is the kind of restaurant where you would want the chef to sit at your table and hear his impressive techniques to make a dish, as well as his knack for using only the finest ingredients from around the world. Experimenting with sauces and reductions, crafting a chicken pâté topped with jelly, and serving a burrata salad with blueberry gazpacho, the chef seems no less than a scientist in his approach to food.
Head Chef Vashisht Kumar has recently introduced a new menu, offering a fresh expression of the restaurant’s Franco-Italian legacy. Of course the Franco-Italian cuisine has some complexity, but it is the confidence of the hands that prepares the dish using exceptional ingredients.
More than 40+ ingredients are sourced from all over the world, leaving no room for compromise. There is also a unique depth to the techniques used in preparing each dish. Familiar classics are revisited through a contemporary lens, while new creations introduce subtle innovation and modern sensibilities.
Beginning your meal with the Artisanal Burratina & Crisp Chilli Oil and Hokkaido Scallop Crudo, and moving on to the Ravioli Stuffed with Barolo-Braised Duck and Linguine ai Frutti di Mare, you realise there is something for every palate, whether you prefer meat, seafood, or vegetarian dishes. The main course features the ever-popular Paprika-Glazed Lamb Chop and another star, the Parmesan-Crusted Rock Lobster. For dessert, you can choose from an assortment of favourite gelatos, sorbets, and tiramisu.
The menu is paired beautifully with a selection of red and white wines, thoughtfully chosen to complement each dish. The Leela Palace New Delhi also offers an exclusive wine- Turya Chardonnay Viognier, a rich, aromatic, and smooth wine that you will not find anywhere else. From the cocktail menu, the Rose Aperol Spritz and Tiramisu cocktail were standouts.
The flavour profile of the menu leans towards a brighter and more vibrant expression of Franco-Italian cuisine, balancing Mediterranean freshness with the richness and depth synonymous with classical French gastronomy. Fresh herbs, restrained seasoning and nuanced flavours come together to create dishes that are elegant yet expressive, contemporary yet enduring.
What’s next for Le Cirque? Chef Vashisht is already looking ahead, with another menu in the works. That’s what makes the restaurant stand out. The chef is deeply in love with what he does, and his passion and knowledge transcend into the flavours on your plate, right from the moment you take a seat at Le Cirque, The Leela Palace New Delhi.
