Delhi Restaurants Are Now Serving Fresh Air On The Menu

Restaurants usually pitch their food, music or interiors as their USP, but at this time, when severely polluted Delhi and its suburbs are struggling to breathe, restaurants are offering a breath of fresh air - literally.

After smog engulfed Delhi/NCR post-Diwali, some restaurants have installed air purifiers on their premises.

They are even promoting that on social media, spreading the word that diners can 'breathe fresh and purified air' at their restaurants. Delhiites, who'd usually only check whether the food was fresh or not, are now very interested in the freshness of the air at the restaurant they're visiting.

Delhilive/Representational Image

"Guests who come to our restaurant these days don't immediately sense the difference in the quality of air outside and inside the restaurant, but in a few minutes, as they settle down, they feel that they can breathe easily and then many ask about the change. A few who are allergic to pollutants notice the change immediately, thanks to the air purifiers that we have installed in our restaurant. People are very conscious (about this) now and they appreciate it when we tell them that we have air purifiers. We decided to install air purifiers because the city has been battling pollution, and we knew it would only get worse after Diwali. We are coming up with a creative to be displayed on our social media pages to promote the fact that one can breathe the fresh air here," says Randip Dhingra, owner of Twist, a restaurant in Cyber Hub, Gurgaon.

TOI/Representational Imag

Two other restaurants that are also 'serving fresh air' in Delhi are La Bodega in Khan Market and The Hungry Monkey in Safdarjung. The decision to install air purifiers was taken a few days before Diwali since high pollution levels had been forecast.

"Last year, we realised that pollution is at its worst after Diwali in Delhi, pure and fresh air is something that people need. This year, we thought we should install air purifiers, and keeping in mind the severe smog conditions in the city, I think we will keep them throughout the winter. People need masks and air purifiers right now. Through our social media page, we are letting people know that we have air purifiers and the response we've been getting is very good," says Noah Barnes from The Hungry Monkey.

Neeti Goel, co-owner of La Bodega, adds, "We have never had air purifiers before, but we had them installed a few days before Diwali, in collaboration with a company, to provide fresh air to our guests. I think the situation we are facing this time will make it very important from next year to have air purifiers in every building. Since poor air quality is an issue throughout the winter, we will retain the air purifiers."