Megu, The Leela Palace Chanakyapuri

Let me tell you something. South Delhi has always had a complicated relationship with Japanese food. We've spent decades being perfectly happy with our dal makhani and butter chicken, occasionally flirting with a California roll at some five-star coffee shop, and calling ourselves adventurous. Then something like Megu comes along and reminds you rather firmly that you've been living in the shallow end.

I've been around Delhi's food scene long enough to remember when "Japanese" meant a sad tuna sushi at a hotel buffet. Megu, sitting quietly and rather regally inside The Leela Palace in Chanakyapuri, is the complete opposite of that. It is, without question, the finest Japanese restaurant in India. And if you've been putting off visiting the way many South Delhi regulars at the Leela somehow manage to do — STOP. JUST STOP.

A Restaurant That Announces Itself Before You Even Sit Down

Walking into Megu is an experience that begins well before the food arrives. The thing that makes you stop and stare like a tourist is the signature Crystal Buddha, elevated over a reflecting pool with an 800-pound Bonsho bell suspended from the ceiling above it. 

Seating

• Indoor dining space:  seats 72 guests designed to feel intimate.
• Alfresco area: an outdoor setting inspired by Japan’s tradition of shared plates and crafted cocktails.
• Private dining rooms: wrapped in antique silk kimono fabric striking a balance between theatrical and deeply personal.

The Food: Flown In From Tsukiji, Plated With Purpose

Megu doesn’t compromise on fundamentals. Fish is imported directly from Tokyo’s Tsukiji market, lending the menu both authenticity and finesse. The kitchen’s use of sumibi aburiyaki—grilling over bincho-tan charcoal—adds a clean, subtle smokiness that elevates each dish. The menu spans sushi, sashimi, grills, noodles, rice, and quietly impressive desserts, with thoughtfully crafted vegetarian options that make Japanese fine dining accessible to South Delhi diners.

Personal Favourites:

• Miso Aubergine (veg) is something approaching perfection — smoky, soft, with a depth of flavour that has no right being this elegant. 
• Sautéed Udon Noodles (veg) and Garlic Vegetable Fried Rice (veg): to put it simply, the best versions of those dishes you will eat in this city.
• Sashimi Platter (non-veg): clean cuts, impeccable freshness, the kind of fish that requires no explanation or sauce to justify itself.
• Lamb Loin (non-veg) and Yuzu Salmon (non-veg): from the newer menu are standout dishes.
• Caviar Nigiri is an indulgence
• Megu popcorn: sounds almost absurdly casual for a restaurant of this calibre but it has it's own enthusiastic fan following.
• Sesame Ice Cream. For desserts: do not skip this. It is nutty, lightly fragrant, and utterly satisfying in a way that resets the palate after a big meal.

The Omakase: Delhi's Best-Kept Fine Dining Secret

If you want to go all-in, Megu offers an exclusive Omakase experience — a chef-curated, completely bespoke meal for up to eight guests. The chef tailors each course to the table's preferences, working with whatever is freshest and finest that day. One crucial practical note: you need to book the Omakase at least 24 hours in advance. It is not a walk-in decision. Plan for it, look forward to it, and then spend the next week telling people about it.

The sake list, at 60 options, is worth its own article. The wine list is excellent, but sake is the real point here. Let the staff guide you — they know what pairs with what.

The Staff: The Kind That Makes You Come Back

What truly stands out is the service. It’s warm, attentive, and never overbearing. The staff knows the menu well and offers recommendations with confidence, not guesswork. You might find some portions on the smaller side for the price, and the Omakase experience, while outstanding, sits firmly in the premium category. If you’re used to dining in cities like Tokyo or New York, the menu may feel familiar. For most people in Delhi, though, it feels like a whole new experience.

The Verdict

Megu is not a restaurant you stumble into. You dress for it, you book a table, and you arrive knowing that the evening is going to cost you what it costs. South Delhi has never had a problem with that equation — we understand that certain experiences have a certain price, and we respect the ones that justify every rupee.

Fish from Tsukiji, bincho-tan charcoal from Japan, sixty sakes on the list, antique kimono fabric on the walls, and a Crystal Buddha watching over your dinner. Megu doesn't ask you to spend — it asks you to experience. There is a difference, and discerning diners know it immediately.

Go when you want the evening to mean something. Go when you want a table that matches the occasion rather than merely accommodating it. Go when you want to remind yourself and whoever you're taking that some restaurants exist not just to feed you but to stay with you long after the bill is paid.

Megu is that restaurant. In all of Delhi, there are very few others.