Harvest Season on a Plate: Lohri, Pongal & Makar Sankranti Feasts to Explore

Food and Beverages

January 12, 2026

Harvest Season on a Plate: Lohri, Pongal & Makar Sankranti Feasts to Explore

Image: Supplied

January in India is a delicious intersection of harvest festivals Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and regional harvest celebrations each rooted in gratitude, seasonality and indulgent comfort food. From lavish Punjabi spreads and live bonfires to soulful South Indian virundhus and farm-forward winter brunches, here’s a curated listicle of festive menus and brunches worth planning your calendar around.

Lohri Specials to Explore

The LaLiT Jaipur

The LaLiT Jaipur marks Lohri with an indulgent Punjabi buffet at its all-day dining restaurant, 24/7. Drawing inspiration from Malwa, Majha and Doaba, the spread celebrates hearty winter flavours think smoky tikkas, slow-cooked dals, robust curries and an extensive dessert counter featuring pinni, ghewar cheesecake and jalebi panna cotta. Lassi and chaas keep things refreshingly traditional.

When: 13 January, 2026
Time: Lunch 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Dinner 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Where: 24/7, The LaLiT Jaipur
Cost: ₹2200++ per person

The LaLiT Chandigarh

For a truly atmospheric Lohri, The LaLiT Chandigarh pairs a Punjabi-themed festive dinner with a traditional bonfire at the alfresco. The menu highlights winter classics like Sarson ka Saag, Dal Baluchi, Punjabi mutton curry and masala fish curry, rounded off with Lohri sweets such as rewari and gud ka halwa. Live sigris and outdoor seating recreate the warmth of a village-style celebration.

When: 13 January, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Where: 24/7, The LaLiT Chandigarh

Taj Palace New Delhi

At Loya, Lohri is a soulful, ingredient-led celebration of North Indian winter cooking. The menu journeys through heritage recipes: Sarson da Saag with challi ki roti, Chollia served three ways, Kadam Gosht slow-cooked with kohlrabi, and Rye Wala Murg with black mustard greens. Nostalgic sweets like Gud Wale Chawal and Gajrela complete the experience.

When: Ongoing during Lohri
Time: Lunch 12:30 PM – 2:45 PM | Dinner 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Where: Loya, Taj Palace, New Delhi
Cost: À la carte

ITC Maurya

ITC Maurya’s Lohri celebration at The Pavilion blends abundance and nostalgia. The buffet opens with Lohri staples like moongfali and rewari, followed by smoky grills Ajwaini paneer tikka, Amritsari macchi and murgh tangdi kebabs. Winter favourites such as Sarson ka Saag with makki ki roti, pindi chana and methi murgh anchor the meal, while live stations serve Amritsari kulchas and meat chawal. Traditional desserts like pinni, atte ka halwa and gajrela bring the feast to a comforting close.

When: 13 January, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Where: The Pavilion, ITC Maurya, New Delhi
Cost: ₹3500++ per person

Eros Hotel , Delhi

Eros hotel in New Delhi invites guests for two-day event “Lohri Special Delights” at its swanky restaurants Blooms and Singh Sahib. The visitors will be treated to a variety of authentic and delicious dishes from the Punjabi kitchen while listening to the rhythmic sounds of traditional Punjabi music. A bonfire will be placed in the middle of the Eros Hotel’s lovely, luxurious lawn in a setting reminiscent of Lohri celebrations to light up your joyful spirit. To elevate your mood, traditional Lohri festival sweets including roasted corn, phulle, puffed rice, gajak, til laddus, and crisp peanuts will be provided.

When : 13th January, 2026|Time: 7:00 PM to 11:00PM
Lunch: 14th January,2026 |Time: 12.30 pm to 4.00 pm
Where: Eros Hotel, Blooms and Singh Sahib
Cost: Rs. 2450 – Lunch and Rs. 2650 – Dinner + GST per person

Harvest Brunches & Menus to Explore

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar

JW Café presents Winter Harvest, a farm-forward brunch celebrating seasonal produce, slow-cooked favourites and rustic comfort. Expect hearty soups, vegetable-led mains, harvest grills and warm desserts crafted with ghee, jaggery and nuts. A standout is the Pongal Bar at the Hyperlocal Counter, offering traditional savoury and sweet Pongals in a contemporary brunch format.

When: 11 January, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where: JW Café, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar
Cost: ₹3500++ per person

ITC Maratha, Mumbai

ITC Maratha brings together the warmth of Lohri, the harvest cheer of Makar Sankranti and the comforting flavours of Pongal with a special festive buffet. The menu features traditional Lohri treats like gajak, til laddu and reweri, alongside Punjabi staples such as sarson ka saag with makai ki roti, baingan ka bharta and pindhi chole. Harvest flavours continue with Makar Sankranti special undhiyu, comforting makara chaula, classic pongal and a traditional payasam to end the meal on a sweet note.

When:
• 13 January 2026 – Dinner | 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
• 14 January 2026 – Lunch | 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Where: Peshwa Pavilion, ITC Maratha, Andheri East, Mumbai
Cost: ₹2600++ per person (includes soft beverages)

Radisson Blu Bengaluru Outer Ring Road

Radisson Blu Hotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road begins the year on a mindful note with a limited-period Millet Menu in collaboration with Bakahu, timed with the harvest festival of Makar Sankranti.

The thoughtfully curated offering features dishes such as foxtail millet vegetable Hakka noodles, ragi millet uttapam with veg sago, and a comforting sorghum millet halwa, showcasing how native grains can be elevated into light yet satisfying modern plates

When: 11–14 January, 2026
Where: Mélange, Radisson Blu Hotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road
Cost: À la carte

Hilton Bangalore Embassy Golflinks

DYN at Hilton Bangalore Embassy Golflinks celebrates the spirit of the harvest season with a thoughtfully curated Harvest Week Brunch. The spread features hearty millet-based dishes such as khichdis made with bajra, dalia and jowar, alongside regional favourites like murunga ulli theeyal. Seasonal sweets including chaulai ke laddu, gur rewari and gajak bring a festive close, while themed cocktails and mocktails inspired by natural ingredients add a refreshing counterpoint. Live music and a pottery artist lend a soulful, unhurried ambience to the experience.

When: 12–15 January, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: DYN, Hilton Bangalore Embassy Golflinks
Cost: ₹3000++ per person (food only)

Kalpaney, Bengaluru – Makar Sankranti Special Menu

Kalpaney’s two-day Makar Sankranti menu is a quiet, thoughtful celebration of seasonality. Small plates like Avarakkai Usili Hummus Crisp and Jackfruit & Waterchestnut Dumplings set the tone, followed by comforting mains such as Sarson ka Saag with makki ki roti, Kadala curry with bajra khichdi and Coorg-style Tindli Moi. Desserts like Dates & Nuts Holige with coconut milk capture the warmth of the season.

When: 14–15 January, 2026
Where: JP Nagar, Bengaluru
Cost: ₹1600 for two

Pongal Feasts to Explore:

Taj Coromandel Chennai

Southern Spice presents an authentic Pongal Virundhu that narrates the harvest festival through classic flavours. Highlights include Kalkandu Pongal, Athirasam, Kai Murukku, Vadu Mangai stuffed kuzhi paniyaram, and rustic curries like Nattu Kai Sambar and Padaipu Kozhambu. Traditional beverages such as nannari sherbet and spiced buttermilk complete the experience.

When: 14–18 January, 2026
Time: Lunch & Dinner
Where: Southern Spice, Taj Coromandel, Chennai
Cost: ₹2500 onwards + taxes per person

Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata

F5 at Hilton hosts a special Pongal-themed lunch buffet honouring farmers and harvest traditions. Expect comforting South Indian staples like cabbage poriyal, arisi paruppu sadam, kai kari mandi and chakara pongal.

When: 14 January, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Where: F5, Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata
Cost: ₹1750++ per person

Madras Kitchen, Marriott Executive Apartments Bengaluru UB City

Madras Kitchen offers a limited-time Pongal thali that brings homestyle comfort to the table. Featuring ven pongal, sakkarai pongal, traditional vegetable preparations, sambar, rasam, kootu and classic accompaniments, the meal ends with a traditional sweet, filter coffee and buttermilk served in a warm, festive ambience.

When: 13–17 January, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Where: Madras Kitchen, Marriott Executive Apartments Bengaluru UB City
Cost: ₹999 + taxes