They take you on cloud nine at a mere click of a button from the comfort of your homes. Cloud kitchens or dark kitchens took on a whole new meaning in 2020, when food delivery began during the pandemic, and dining at restaurants was still a far-fetched dream. These centrally located commercial kitchens were buzzing with vast quantity of food was being churned out from these kitchens. Low rentals, less overheads made them viable food delivery options. A lot of restaurants shifted only to Cloud Kitchens, while some new ones also sprung up, leaving us with innumerable food options to pick from.
With people not wanting to step out as much, the demand for online food delivery has rapidly increased – giving birth to delivery-only restaurants or cloud kitchens. These commissary kitchens are sometimes also known as ghost kitchens, shared kitchens, or virtual kitchens with the delivery-only food brands operating within them. They do not compromise on their quality and taste, giving the customer enough reason to order time and again. With no physical space for dine-in, they solely thrive on their online orders placed through online food aggregators or an online ordering enabled website or mobile app. Here are a few such Cloud Kitchens across Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi, that have created a niche audience for themselves across the southern states in no time.
Bon appétit!
Uncle Sam’s kitchen
Uncle Sam’s kitchen
Uncle Sam’s kitchen has been into the space of banqueting, corporate catering, B2B supplies from their centralised cloud kitchen sprawling over 14,000 sq feet. Their cloud kitchens have been catering to many homes, parties, get togethers and events for 25 years now and they are the pioneers in the food industry. They are known to serve a large number of popular and delicious dishes and cuisines. They cater all over India from The Hive, their centralised cloud kitchen.
Specialties: Uncle Sam’s kitchen is famous for their delectable snacks, Mexican, North Indian and Frontier cuisine, besides gourmet chaat varieties and also Live stations.
Must try: Hara Bhara Kebabs, Mushroom and Corn Vol Au Vents, Vattha Kozhambu, Pudalangai Kootu, Thakkali Sadam, Vazhakai Poriyal, Sham Savera, Palak Paneer, Mutton Do Pyaza, Thai Curry, Malaysian Curry.
How to order: Call 99406 59646 or visit www.unclesamskitchen.com
Red Box
Red Box
The Red Box offers what you need in this fast-paced world and busy schedule – Tasty Indo-Chinese fresh food on-the-go. Just order it from the comfort of your home and have it delivered at your doorstep in Chennai, Bengaluru, Vizag or Coimbatore.
Must try: Chicken Momo, Sweet & Spicy Chicken Meat Balls, Veg Butter Chilli Garlic Noodles and Cauliflower Manchurian, Veg Spinach Wheat Noodles and Wok Tossed Cauliflower, Chicken Spinach Wheat Noodles & Wok Tossed Chicken, Chicken Nanking Noodles & Chilli Garlic Chicken.
How to order: You can order through Swiggy, Zomato &Dunzo.
Splendid Food Co
Splendid Food Co.
Started by Yasmin Osman, Splendid Food Co. specialises in North Western Frontier cuisine. Their specialties are Mutton Biryani, Haleem & Kababs. They also serve Continental dishes.
Must try: Mutton Biryani, Shikampuri Kebabs (Mutton Kebabs with a pickled onion filling), Varkhi Samosas (Mutton Mince stuffed in puff dough), Semolina Cake (Healthy Ghee Cake), Butter Chicken and Pineapple Walnut Crumble.
How to order: Call Yasmin, on 9840064410 or Sadia on 9445427566 to place your order.
Biryani Co.
Biryani Co.
Everyone loves Biryani! What is there not to love? The long grains of Basmati rice, tender and juicy meat, sautéed onions, herbs and spices that give the biryani its distinct flavour; served hot with mirchi ka saalan and raita. Biryani Co.® has the solution to the biryani lover’s never-ending pursuit of variety and flavours. Majority of the biryani styles and flavours from across the Indian subcontinent are available on a single platform where one can order the choice and style of biryani they wish to have in simple steps either from their food delivery app or from Biryani Co.® Website. Simply order it online and get the biryani you fancy the most from a choice of Lucknowi, Hyderabadi, Kolkata or Bombay style biryani, in the comfort of your homes. You can also customise your biryani in your own way and select flavours, style, meat, veggies and many other addons to go in your biryani. There’s also choice of some delicious dishes like Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani, Veg and Non-Veg Platter and more.
Must try: Lucknowi Biryani, Hyderabadi Biryani, Kolkata Biryani, Butter Chicken.
How to order: Swiggy and Zomato.
Hakka Chow,
Bangalore Pizza Company, Mad Mex and Garam Masala
Hakka Chow,
Bangalore Pizza Company, Mad Mex and Garam Masala
Lounge Hospitality, part of Embassy Leisure has reinvented themselves during these unprecedented times to launch a series of brands that are user-friendly, delicious and safely delivered to your doorstep. From the creators of Sanchez and Sriracha, these delivery brands are called HakkaChow, Bangalore Pizza Company, Mad Mex and Garam Masala and promise comfort food packed with flavour.
Hakka Chow showcases Asian market style meals and is a perfect combination of garden fresh, local ingredients, a Chinese wok, a selection of house-made sauces, caldrons of soup, delicious noodles, fried rice and Asia’s best spices. The menu includes an innovative take on all-time favourites like Chili Chicken & Manchurian as well as a selection of build-your-own Asian bowls for when you just can’t decide.
Must try: Burnt Garlic Prawns, Stir Fried Chilli Basil Chicken, Thai Curries and Meal Bowls.
How to order: You can order through Swiggy, Zomato &Dunzo.
The Bangalore Pizza Company
The Bangalore Pizza Company brings you the best pizza slices that are delicious hand-rolled, wood-fired oven pizzas with an array of toppings. From their version of classics like the Margarita and Pepperoni pizza, the menu also has variants like the Chicken Tikka Masala pizza, prepared with a velvety Makhani sauce.
Must try: Pulled Bbq Chicken Pizza, Chicken Pepperoni Pizza and All Margherita.
How to order: You can order through Swiggy, Zomato &Dunzo.
Mad Mex
Mad Mex delivers Tex-Mex cuisine to the comfort of your home using regional flavours. The menu boasts of a selection of Burrito Bowls, Nachos, Tacos and Quesadillas using fresh local ingredients. The delicious and immunity boosting Pulled Jackfruit Fresh Turmeric Soft Tacos or the Masaledar Paneer Tikka Quesadillas are some popular variations on this menu.
Must try: Grilled River Sole Tacos, Grilled Chicken Burrito and Grilled Chicken Nacho Salad.
How to order: You can order through Swiggy, Zomato &Dunzo.
Garam Masala
Garam Masala delivers feel-good North Indian cuisine, home-style preparations from the North Indian culinary ledger ranging from signatures like the Punjabi Dal Makhani, MurghMakhanwala or the Tandoori Chicken to healthy options like the Tandoori Malai Broccoli. Another popular inclusion in this menu is the Missi Roti, enjoyed hot in the pleasant weather of Bengaluru.
Must try: Malai Broccoli, Ajwaini Fish Tikka, MurghMakhanwala, Nalli Nihari, Kulhad Mutton Biryani.
How to order: You can order through Swiggy, Zomato &Dunzo.
Plus 91
Plus 91
Plus 91 is a global street food brand from JSM Kitchen that evokes nostalgia associated with street food dining without compromising on quality and hygiene. The menu brings the taste of street food from the streets of Delhi, beaches of Mumbai or food markets of Bengaluru. From a variety of Indian favourites like Vada Pav and Dilli 6 chaats to some hyperlocal classics like rolls and kottu paratha, Plus 91 is all things street food and more.
Must try: Kori Kemp, Fish Fingers, Murgh Malai Kabab, Kottu Paratha, Chicken Frankie.
How to order: Swiggy and Zomato.
Ginger Tiger
Ginger Tiger
Ginger Tiger is a pan Asian brand that re-tells age old stories of China with new recipes and with a promise of unparalleled quality. The menu at Ginger Tiger has been thoughtfully put together and features dishes with modern flair, freshness and vitality in starters and entrees alongside stir-fry bowls that can be personalised.
Must try: Honey Chilli Chicken, Chicken Momos, Ginger Tiger Chicken Manchurian, Hunan Style Fish.
How to order: Swiggy and Zomato.
Tapa Lapa
Tapa Lapa
This is a cloud kitchen by Raahi Neo Kitchen and Bar. Tapa & Lapa name comes from the twin sisters that have traversed the Asian continent. From their food journey, they have incorporated recipes gathered from across different regions. Expect flavours that have retained their fragrance and freshness, seasoned with a tinge of fun.
Must try: Kung Pao Chicken, Honey Chilli Potatoes, Avocado Maki, Prawn Tempura, Stir Fried Chicken in Chilli Basil Oyster Sauce.
How to order: Swiggy and Zomato.
Flayvor Co
Flayvor Co.
Flayvor Co. has four new cloud kitchens – Handmade, Roohi, The Great Wok and Let’s Get Started. Flayvor Co., a collaboration between URU and Maratt offers global experiences – from authentic Italian pizzas and pasta, delectable North Indian curries, traditionally cooked Asian food to lip-smacking starters from all over the world.
Handmade by Flayvor Co. is an authentic Italian cuisine made using high-quality ingredients. The gourmet experience without the gourmet price tag.
Roohi by Flayvor Co. is a novel kitchen where traditional food meets a modern-day twist in packaging. Tried their Mix n Match combos yet? Ekdumsahihai!
The Great Wok by Flayvor Co. is a homely kitchen that brings together culture and cuisine, all wrapped together with love by their lovable mascot, Ho Lee!
Let’s Get Started by Flayvor Co. is a fun kitchen that believes in delivering global cuisine focused exclusively on starters, with varying portions sizes suitable for everyone!
Charlie Who? is a young eclectic kitchen that specializes in gourmet sandwiches & burgers, smoothies, milkshakes, sundaes and more!
How to order: Swiggy and Zomato.
BrunchNbite
BrunchNbite
Every dish from BrunchNbite cloud kitchen is packed with delicious north Indian flavours. The food is packed in tamper spill proof boxes that help retain its freshness.
Must try: Galouti Kababs, Mawa Paneer Tikka, Paneer Tikka Butter masala, Sarson Ka saag, Butter Chicken, Dal Makhni, Khameeri Roti, Biryanis.
How to order: Swiggy, Zomato and Dunzo.
— By Namita Gupta.
Hello South
Hello South
Started by Sateesh Polkam, Hello South was recently formed looking at the sudden demand ordering-in had. This cozy 200 sqft kitchen, located at Rd no 10, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, is another product of the lockdown. As the name suggests, this cloud kitchen, excels in South Indian cuisine with options like Stuffed Mirchi Bajji, Godavari Royyala Vepudu, Anakapur Natu Kodi Kura, Bheemavaram Kodi Pulao,Yata Kheema Pulao and more.
Must try: Godavari Royyala Vepudu, Anakapur Natu Kodi, Chittu Mutyalu Kodi Pulao and Yata Kheema Pulao.
How to order: Through Swiggy, Zomato, @hello_south_or 7995686664.
Mangalapuram
Mangalapuram
Mangalapuram, a cloud kitchen owned by Srinivas Chandra and Rahul Korrapati is spread across 2000 sqft. Located in Film Nagar, its idea came into being in the midst of the pandemic in June 2020. From the makers of Tasty Bowl, this brand specialises in south Indian food with delectable options like Mangalapuram Mamsam Biryani, Mangalapuram Kodi Biryani, Kothimeera Chicken Boneless, Mutton Pepper Fry, and Mangalapuram Chitti Royyala Vepudu.
Must try: Maa Oori Peethala (Crab) Pulusu, Chalapa (Fish) Pulusu and Gongoora Annam.
How to order: They only work on pre-orders and can be reached on 9989900909 or @mangalapurambytastybowl
— By Anahita Ahuja.
Kottayam Company (KoCo), Kottayam
Kottayam Company (KoCo), Kottayam
The outlet with its unique architectural design was formed by a bunch of friends over many meals, as they themselves say, bringing the many tastes of Kottayam city and the innovations under one roof.
Specialties: Their signature dish, the beef bae, which is inspired by the viral ‘Ottoman steak video’ where Turkish restaurateur Salt Bae or Nusret seasons his meat dishes in style is everyone’s favourite.
What’s good: Karimeen Thengapalil Pollichathu, Kanthari Fish, Fish Mango Curry, Thattukada Chicken Fry inspired by the local street food, Arabic and Chinese rice combos, Chicken Lasagne, Beef Cannelloni and Italian Artisan Pizza. Not to forget the desserts like the Banoffee, Tres Leches, Melting Chocolate Ball, Chocolate Lava Cake and Cheesecake.
Must try: Beef Bae! They also have something else for the beef and porotta loving Malayalis which is porotta layered with beef curry, wrapped in a banana leaf and then steamed.
How to order: Takeaway, Swiggy and Zomato.
Happy Cup
Happy Cup
Happy Cup, Panampilly Nagar, Kochi gives you the experience of a cafe and a restaurant where you can enjoy a cuppa reading a book today and relish a three-course meal with your family of
10 tomorrow or order in from the comfort of your home. The outlet is a spin-off of Happy Cup Calicut with a tweaked menu and a restocafe thrown in, with Covid protocol being followed strictly for every order.
Specialties:
Italian: Temptation pizza, Lasagna, Beef Aragosta Pasta.
Continental: Lobster Thermidor, Beef Steak, Chicken Cordon Blu, Beef Stroganoff, Honey Glazed Chicken, Bbq wings.
Indian: NadanBeef Pizza, KozhiCreamy MirchTikka, JamuniTikka, ChandiniKebab, Afghani Tikka, Tandoori Karimeen with herb rice.
What’s good: Bbq wings, Lobster Thermidor, Honey Glazed Chicken.
Must try: Kozhi Creamy Mirch Tikka, Happy Cup Temptation Pizza.
How to order: Takeaway, Swiggy and Zomato.
— By Asha Prakash.