Spot iconic monuments while enjoying cocktails, soaking in stunning views at this rooftop bar and kitchen in Hyderabad

You walk into a rooftop bar in the heart of the city and go on a little tour of Hyderabad instantaneously. To your left is the Charminar, standing testament to the history of the city, to the right is the regal looking Telangana state secretariat and straight ahead is the iconic Golconda fort. The first few minutes of our sojourn at The Camp, a newly launched rooftop bar and kitchen kicked off with some unexpected sightseeing and soaking in breathtaking views of the city over a gorgeous sunset.

We settled into the stylish space, with both indoor and outdoor seating, both done up with plush seating and dedicated bar counters. We picked a spot outdoors and started with some signature cocktails. The Gin there done that, a refreshing drink with grapefruit cordial and rosemary was a festive and smooth gin-based beverage to begin our evening with.

We paired our drinks with a host of appetisers, starting with the Saigon prawns, tossed in a deliciously creamy sauce with deep coconut flavours amongst other spices. We licked the plate clean, before digging into some freshly steamed dim sums. The rooftop space serves a host of Rajasthani dishes, including chaats and curries.

We tried the Ghevar avocado chaat, served on a honey-comb textured deep fried disc made of chickpea flour, topped with avocado, yoghurt and a host of chutneys and spices. Of the Mediterranean dishes on the menu, the Chicken shish taouk served on pita bread was quite enjoyable. For our vegetarian friends, the options are exhaustive, starting with dishes like Vietnamese parcels, hot dim sum to grilled delights.

If we had to pick, we’d choose the Afghani malai paneer tikka, marinated in a host of spices, grilled to perfection. We noted that any of the tandoor options would be perfect for wintery dinners. As the sun set nimbly and the nearly full moon rose in the sky, we huddled together over the table to get started with the mains, owing to the chill in the air. Soon, two bowl-fulls of soup were brought in, and we dug in immediately. The Hot & sour soup complete with egg and bites of meat was wholesome, piping hot and packed with flavours. For those who like their soups with a leaner broth, we’d recommend the Lemon coriander soup.

Another pan-Asian favourite at The Camp was the Coriander pot rice, a delightfully rich rice dish that could be customised with choice of meat. If one has the space and appetite for it, we’d recommend a slice of the Babka, topped with rich chocolate ganache.

Rs 2,000 for two. At Abids.