1135 AD

Are you a history nut? Enjoy romance? Fond of nursing the conviction that you were born royal in another life? You’ve got to go to 1135 AD. Not only is it housed inside the legendary Amer Fort, but it’s also not one of those restaurants that go big on decor only to skimp on food. It’s one of the few places that can say they’re able to deliver on almost every count of what makes a dining experience perfect. 

The drive up to the restaurant is on the same winding road that takes tourists up to the fort. It’s a great drive in the day, and plenty a tour operator or cabbie’ll happily take you up the hill, but at night, the lane feels serpentine, secluded, with the lights of Jaipur city growing fainter as you climb, and the view of the glittering fort rising up out of the night to greet you. 

Once you’re inside, you’re treated to a royal welcome – with a flower shower, red carpet, and even bespoke table decorations available on request, making it one of the best restaurants in Jaipur for special occasions – anniversaries, date nights, proposals, you name it. You can dine in the open-air courtyard on a clear, pleasant night, or retire indoors to the frescoed Suvarna Mahal or mirrored Sheesh Mahal. Everywhere you look, you’ll be greeted with hundreds of candles, flambeaux, and bits and bobs of the fort left over from centuries ago. The ambience feels languidly rich. The service is par excellence. And the food…

The food – North Indian – is indulgent and rich, in the best way. The Kesar Kyari Vegetarian Platter comes with soft paneer tikkas, smoky broccoli, and melt-in-your-mouth galouti kebab. The Maans and Murgh Sulas — tandoori lamb and chicken, respectively — are spiced with Mathania chillies and highly recommended. For mains, Shahi Paneer Lababdar, Jodhpuri gatta, Panchmel Daal, Junglee Maans, Amber Ghosht, and Mutton Kacher are packed with flavour and pair perfectly with multi-layered Warqi Parantha or Garlic Naan. And for dessert, the saffron-infused Shahi Tukda with hand-pounded cardamom is unforgettable.

Time Out tip: We’re serious about the bit where we said this is a great place to celebrate occasions. 1135 AD has been known to graciously accommodate all kinds of events – surprise dinners included, with floral arrangements, other decorative features, and they even tweak the food’s flavours according to your liking.