Kanyakumari

Compact but contemporary with a buzzy vibe, this restaurant is named for the city at the southernmost tip of India, and appropriately, spotlights the regional fare of south India with a focus on seafood. The cooking is as bold as you’d expect, with a depth of flavor. This kitchen puts their spin on the tried-and-true. Case in point? Mussels Koliwada. It's a dish traditionally made with fish, but here, mussels coated in a spiced, red-tinted rice flour batter are fried, then served alongside a chili dipping sauce. If the server recommends the slow-cooked Black Gold beef, order it. It's impossibly tender beef short rib dressed with Madras onion rings, crispy curry leaves, and tiny green chilies. A nuanced fish curry is complemented by the ghee rice.