Azure Hospitality has expanded the presence of its flagship North Indian restaurant brand, Dhaba Estd. 1986, with the opening of a new outlet in Civil Lines, Kanpur. Since its launch, the restaurant has received a strong response from diners, further strengthening the brand’s expansion across North India.
Drawing inspiration from the nostalgic appeal of India’s traditional roadside dhabas, the new restaurant serves the brand’s signature North Indian menu. Guests can enjoy popular dishes such as Dal Dhaba, slow-cooked Balti Meat, Galouti Kebabs, tandoor specialties, handcrafted Indian breads, and a variety of regional North Indian delicacies. In addition, the outlet features Dhaba Estd. 1986’s newly launched Desi Chinese menu, which combines classic Indo-Chinese flavours with authentic recipes and the brand’s focus on consistent quality.
The Kanpur restaurant was launched under the leadership of Chef Kartik, Regional Brand Chef – Dhaba Estd. 1986, who managed the complete pre-opening process. His responsibilities included kitchen planning, menu implementation, recipe standardisation, chef hiring and training, equipment planning, operational readiness, and ensuring that the outlet met the brand’s culinary benchmarks.
Commenting on the launch, Chef Kartik said, “Kanpur has welcomed us with tremendous warmth, and the response since opening has been extremely encouraging. Our vision was to create a restaurant that stays true to the soul of India’s legendary dhabas while delivering the consistency and quality expected from a modern hospitality brand.”
He added, “Signature dishes like our Dal Dhaba, Balti Meat, and Galouti Kebabs continue to be guest favourites, while our newly introduced Desi Chinese range has also been exceptionally well received. It reflects our philosophy of preserving traditional flavours while introducing thoughtful innovation that appeals to today’s diners.”
With more than 15 years of culinary experience, Chef Kartik has played a key role in expanding Dhaba Estd. 1986 by driving menu development, recipe standardisation, restaurant launches, and culinary training across the brand’s portfolio. Moreover, his emphasis on operational excellence and authentic North Indian cuisine has helped maintain consistency across every new outlet.
The Kanpur launch forms part of Azure Hospitality’s broader growth strategy for Dhaba Estd. 1986. Going forward, the brand plans to strengthen its position in India’s casual dining segment by combining traditional North Indian flavours with contemporary dining experiences.
