Nara Thai Gurugram Brings Bangkok’s Most Loved Thai Institution to India’s Corporate Capital

Nikita Nikalje
1 day ago
5 min read

There are Thai restaurants, and then there are institutions. Nara Thai belongs firmly to the latter. Born in Bangkok in 2003 and quietly building a global reputation long before Thai cuisine became fashionable dining-room shorthand, Nara has always been about restraint, balance, and a certain calm confidence. Its arrival in Gurugram feels less like a launch and more like a long-awaited arrival.

Interior of Nara Thai Gurugram featuring elegant Thai inspired design, plush seating, soft lighting and a premium dining ambience

Located in the heart of the city’s dining circuit, Gurugram finally gets a Thai restaurant that understands the difference between spectacle and substance. This is Nara Thai Gurugram, the brand’s first North India outpost, brought to the country by Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality. For diners who have travelled, or at least eaten well abroad, it instantly feels familiar. For everyone else, it quietly raises the bar.

Bangkok Roots, Global Ease

Nara’s story begins in Bangkok, founded by Narawadee Srikarnchana and Sirisopa Chulasewok with the idea of translating home-style Thai food into a refined dining format without sanding down its edges. Over two decades later, the brand spans more than 30 restaurants across Asia and the Middle East, with its flagship markets earning Michelin Guide recognition.

Authentic Thai food spread at Nara Thai Gurugram featuring Pad Thai, curries, appetisers and signature cocktails served in a refined dining setting

That pedigree matters here, but it never overwhelms the experience. At Nara Thai Gurugram, the food does not arrive announcing its awards. It arrives confident, composed, and deeply assured of its flavours. Sweet, sour, spicy, salty, and umami are all present, but never shouting. Every dish feels calibrated rather than constructed.

There is a clear sense that this is Thai food cooked the Thai way, not interpreted through trend cycles or diluted for mass comfort. Sauces and pastes are imported directly from Bangkok. The kitchen team in India trains closely with Nara’s culinary masters, with the brand’s global executive chef regularly overseeing consistency. The result is food that tastes grounded, complete, and quietly exact.

A Space That Lets You Exhale

Step inside and the first thing you notice is the calm. The interiors at Nara Thai Gurugram follow the design language first seen at the brand’s Mumbai outpost, reimagined here with more room to breathe. Designed by Thai interior designer Nitipattara Yensup, the space blends contemporary polish with unmistakable Thai warmth. Rattan accents, cane walls, patterned flooring, and subtle gold tile details create a palette that feels warm without being heavy. The lighting is soft, flattering, and unhurried. Blue and white tones anchor the room, while floral notes linger faintly in the background. It is elegant, but never stiff.

Table setting at Nara Thai Gurugram with refined crockery, floral accents and Thai inspired design details creating a warm dining atmosphere

With over 80 covers and a private dining room, the restaurant shifts easily between moods. A weekday lunch flows seamlessly into a long business conversation. Early dinners feel unforced. Evenings stretch naturally, without the sense that the table needs turning. It is designed for frequency, not occasion-only dining, which is exactly why it works so well in Gurugram.

Nara Thai Gurugram as an All-Day Dining Address

This is where Nara Thai Gurugram quietly distinguishes itself. It is not trying to be a once-in-a-while destination. It is built to become a default. Corporate lunches arrive plated, balanced, and fast enough to respect time without rushing the experience. Dinners slow down, allowing dishes to land in a rhythm that encourages sharing. The menu moves comfortably between familiar Thai staples and dishes that reveal themselves slowly, the kind that reward repeat visits.

Pad Thai at Nara Thai Gurugram served with peanuts, lime and chilli flakes, showcasing classic Thai flavours in an elegant dining experience

Vegetarian diners are not an afterthought here. The menu includes expansive vegetarian selections, and for the first time globally, Jain-friendly preparations have been introduced specifically for India. These adaptations do not feel like compromises. They feel considered, designed to sit naturally within the broader Thai flavour framework. The beverage program mirrors this same sensibility. Cocktails draw from Thai pantry staples, layered rather than loud. There are also thoughtful non-alcoholic options and house-crafted boba teas that feel playful without tipping into novelty.

Food That Feels Familiar, Then Reveals More

What stands out most is how the food unfolds. At first glance, dishes feel recognisable. Tom Yum arrives aromatic and clear. Som Tam balances crunch, heat, and acidity with precision. Pad Thai tastes comfortingly familiar, but cleaner, more resolved.

Signature Thai stir fry at Nara Thai Gurugram paired with a handcrafted cocktail, highlighting bold flavours and contemporary presentation

Then, over the course of the meal, you begin to notice the restraint. Nothing is greasy. Nothing lingers too long on the palate. Curries carry depth without heaviness, and the spice never overwhelms the structure of the dish. This is Thai food that trusts its ingredients and its technique. Shared plates feel generous, encouraging conversation rather than competition. It is the kind of meal that makes you realise how often Thai cuisine is reduced to caricature, and how quietly powerful it can be when handled with care.

Why This Opening Matters

Gurugram has no shortage of restaurants. What it has lacked is a Thai dining destination with global credibility that does not feel imported in spirit alone. Nara Thai Gurugram fills that gap effortlessly.

For Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality, the opening strengthens a growing portfolio of internationally recognised dining brands in India. For the city, it introduces a restaurant that understands how people here actually eat, meet, and linger.

More importantly, it signals a shift in how global brands enter the Indian market. Instead of over-localising or over-performing, Nara Thai stays true to its identity while respecting the nuances of its audience. That balance is rare, and it shows.

A New Reference Point for Thai Cuisine in North India

Nara Thai Gurugram does not rely on drama to make its point. It lets consistency, comfort, and confidence do the work. You leave feeling satisfied, not dazzled. And that is precisely its strength.

It is a place you can return to often, knowing the experience will hold. A restaurant that understands pace. One that values heritage without turning it into theatre. In a city that moves fast, Nara offers something quietly grounding.

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