Hyderabad’s new restaurant Kadamba, reimagines neighbourhood adda culture on a rooftop

Long before bars came to dominate India’s social drinking culture, gatherings unfolded at home — in a friend’s living room, an uncle’s house, or on a lawn. Chakna (snacks) meant whatever was at hand: a homemade chicken or mutton fry, a spicy mixture, boiled or roasted peanuts, or salted potato chips.

Kadamba-Cultural Compound, a new rooftop resto-bar overlooking Durgam Cheruvu in Hyderabad, the freshwater lake in Rangareddy, nudges you back to those simpler daaru pe charcha days. As a space, it positions itself as the city’s third space. It slips easily between identities: a local bar, a rooftop hangout for long conversations, a venue for music and cultural programmes, or simply a corner to sit quietly with a drink.

Think of village squares with a spot under a tree. Kadamba has three — carefully nurtured — and a section where you can sit cross-legged with your group, snack alongside your drinks, and chat until your legs give up. I chose table seating instead, settling in to eat, drink and watch the lights come alive on the Durgam Cheruvu bridge. On a breezy evening, with music, attentive service and the city glowing below, there was a sudden urge to slow down (until the mosquitoes found me.)

Come together

Founder Vikas Passary says the idea is comfort over spectacle. “The focus is on connection and ease rather than performance or excess. Kadamba-Cultural Compound is an apna adda at heart — an analogue space where experience comes first and evenings unfold without pressure. We wanted it to feel familiar, comforting and open to everyone.” The bar is divided into three sections: the bar counter, a family area and the open rooftop.

View of the Durgam Cheruvu Bridge from Kadamba
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Special Arrangement

And since we are on the topic of drinks, it is safe to say the offerings are far from basic — pre-batched classics, vegan takes on a Whiskey Sour, beers, straight pours and mocktails. This is not a place where water passes off as a beverage choice.

Kya Toh Bhi at Kadamba
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Special Arrangement

The bar itself is designed like a communal kitchen island. The mixologist works in front of you, chatting, explaining, asking how you would like your drink. When I told Sharan, the mixologist wanted something without ice, he poured Kya Toh Bhi — a pre-batched cocktail with vodka, tomato, dill, raspberry and black garlic. One sip and the name makes sense. To move into party mode, I followed it with Rumba Ho, a tropical, picante-style cocktail where pineapple, lime and chilli pickle come together for a lively twist.

Kadamba during the day
| Photo Credit:
Prabalika Borah

The beverage programme leans on fresh ingredients, house infusions and ferments; no syrups or preservatives. It is led by Sujan Shetty, beverage manager at Slow Tide in Goa and founder of Warehaus in Goa , along with bar manager, Palash Kadam. I also made my friend try Maska, a reimagined Whiskey Sour where brown butter replaces sugar syrup, lending a toasty nuttiness lifted by bright lime cordial. Aam Spritzer offers a playful spin on the Aperol Spritz, with mango prosecco adding a sweet, tropical note. Tip: choose Aperol for softness or Campari if you prefer a sharper bitterness.

The food

Murgi Ko Dry Masala, chef Jyoti Singh’s interpretation of tandoori chicken at Kadamba in Hyderabad
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Special Arrangement

Food is non-negotiable here. Chef Jyoti Singh describes Kadamba’s menu as chakna in its truest Indian sense — inspired by street corners, bars, homes and flavours that linger. The tandoor chicken, for instance, skips heavy marinades and lands closer to a dhaba-style dry fry. “Eat it with the pickled onion,” he insists — and he is right. Taka Tak Boti, inspired by North Indian mutton cooking, sees lamb lightly cooked in the tandoor and finished on the tawa with onions and chillies. It comes with roti, though we stuck to protein. Apna Seekh Kebab was a hit, while the fish with pani puri dressing — a compound ceviche — did not quite land for us nor did the bheja fry.

Kadamba’s food stays resolutely Indian, without trying to masquerade as anything else — hearty, familiar and best enjoyed with a drink in hand. While there do not miss the rest room wall art.

A meal for two costs ₹3000 upwards (with drinks)​

Published – February 05, 2026 04:03 pm IST