Jamavar, the signature Indian restaurant at The Leela Palace Jaipur, offers an enchanting setting. Here, candlelight flickers against intricate interiors as you savour authentic Rajasthani flavours.
Co-Founder Madeleine recently had the pleasure of dining at Jamavar. Here is her take:
“Stepping into Jamavar, my eyes slowly adjusted to the dim lighting, where hundreds of candles flickered and reflected against intricate mirrorwork on every wall. The effect is breathtaking — romantic, serene, and utterly atmospheric, the kind of place that lingers in your memory long after the evening ends. It’s little wonder that Jamavar is often described as Jaipur’s most romantic restaurant.
Dinner is presented as a tasting menu — available in vegetarian or non-vegetarian — which my server described as a “thoughtful, 90-minute culinary journey through Rajasthan”. To begin, a crisp amuse bouche arrived: delicate spinach topped with cooling yoghurt and chutney. Alongside, I chose one of their signature cocktails, the Maharani’s Garden — a refreshing mix (I suspect basil was in there!) and their most popular drink, with other cocktails inspired by Rajasthan’s royal heritage.
The starter was a real standout. The paneer — the softest and most delicately spiced I’ve ever tasted — was stuffed with mango and prunes. And as something of a paneer fiend, I can honestly say I’m still thinking about it today. Alongside came a vegetable seekh kebab, a spinach galette, and an irresistible array of poppadoms with dips (the peanut and yoghurt was heavenly). I may have indulged a little too much, not knowing what was yet to come.
A spiced sweetcorn broth and a sorbet cleanser provided a light interlude before the main event: the unveiling of a magnificent thali beneath a gleaming brass cloche. This quintessential Indian dining style — a curated collection of small plates — is one of my favourite ways to explore regional cuisine. Jamavar’s thali was exceptional, featuring:
- Marwar Paneer: (my beloved) paneer once more! This time in a rich tomato curry.
- Gatta Curry: gram-flour dumplings in a yoghurt-based sauce — another personal favourite.
- Palak Mangodi: sun-dried lentil clusters simmered in a smooth spinach gravy.
- Ker Sangri: the Rajasthani classic of local beans and berries, cooked with pickling spices.
- Dal, Baati, Churma: lentils with baked wheat balls and a sweet crumble of ghee, flour, and sugar.
- Smoked Aubergine Raita: cooling and deliciously smoky yogurt dip.
- Mewari Pulao: saffron-scented basmati rice with nuts.
All accompanied by a basket of hot, freshly baked flatbreads.
To finish, I was served ghewar, Jaipur’s signature dessert. Imagine a delicate honeycomb, draped with condensed milk — crisp, creamy, and utterly moreish. I’ve enjoyed ghewar before, but here it was on another level. And really, that sums up the whole evening: each dish an elevation of Rajasthani cuisine, without ever losing its authenticity.
My advice? Come with an appetite!
Dining at Jamavar was the highlight of my one-night stay at The Leela Palace, Jaipur. I was in their Grand Villa with Terrace, which is one of eight categories available, and it was a wonderful setting. The hotel itself is designed in the style of a traditional palace, complete with domed ceilings, ornate mirror-work and cool marble floors. What I especially enjoyed was the balance between grandeur and local charm – in the evenings there are traditional folk performances, in the afternoons lively puppet shows, and if you’d rather something quieter, the spa is a beautiful spot to unwind with a treatment or two. It’s definitely worth booking an appointment in advance though as they were sold out when I enquired.
If you’d like to include a stay at The Leela Palace, Jaipur on your upcoming trip to Rajasthan, please get in touch. As specialists in tailor-made tours of this specific region, we’d be an ideal match to assist with your arrangements.
