Sangrias, sunsets and the mediterranean muse: Inside Lonavala’s hottest new restaurant

After a week of bouncing between Delhi and its gas-packed air, we hit the brakes on routine and fired up our cars for a much-needed escape. With an ‘only Bollywood’ playlist (courtesy of our Editorial Director, Sonal Das), featuring songs ranging from AP Dhillon to some 80s hits, we jet across the Atal Setu, traversing terrains—from the sea to the mountains.

After a two-hour journey that felt like minutes, our cars reached the destination—Fiori in Lonavala by Designers Group. The sun was still high, and we could see its light streaming through the glass house. We stood outside in the open, surrounded by greenery, yet shielded by the glass facade. For a change, it felt like nature was the protagonist, and we had all the time in the world to simply sit and observe—the rustling of leaves, the squirrel darting by with a strand of grass, and, of course, the setting sun.

The space not only frames but also mirrors nature. Blues and turquoise emerge as the dominant shades, with patterns inspired by nature that celebrate the ruggedness of the Mediterranean (taking form from the cuisine served). “The client brief for Fiori was to design a Mediterranean restaurant, which would reflect the cuisine,” says Khozema Chitalwala, Architect, Designers Group.

Starting with sangrias, paired with finger-licking flavors that were both photogenic and delicious, we lost track of time. Before we knew it, the sun had dipped, leaving us with the soft glow of the lamppost—surrounded by calm and camaraderie.

The indoor-outdoor integration theme aligns perfectly with the Mediterranean view, emphasising openness, airiness, and a strong connection to nature—qualities most closely associated with this region.

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Who doesn’t love good food and design? And for those of us in design magazines, well, don’t even get me started on our ever-hungry souls craving flavourful spreads and stunning spaces. Fiori was a much-needed break, and as we got in the cars, we debated whether we should pick up the famous Lonavala chikkis. We were stuffed to the brim, so in the end, it was only our fun memories that we decided to take back with us.

FACT FILE:

Name of the project: Fiori

Name of the Design Firm: Designers Group

Principal Architect/Designer: Khozema Chitalwala

Design Team: Husain Jariwala

Location: Lonavala, Maharashtra

Area: 2,000 sq. ft

Photo credits: Wabi-Sabi Studio by Janvi Thakkar