Deepavali 2023: 4 festive treats to indulge for the festival of lights

Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights, is approaching and it is time to celebrate the joyous occasion with mithai gift boxes and spice-laden festive menus from hotels and restaurants and take in the resplendent street decorations in Little India. Besides belly-bursting buffet feasts with festive specials, dining establishments are also rolling out mithai in fancy packaging. We round up some of the festive delights this season. 

Related: Deepavali for foodies: The best festive treats and feasts

1. Diwali Dining Experience, Tiffin Room, Raffles Hotel Singapore

Indulge in Deepavali festivities with a delectable assortment of appetisers that blend beloved Indian flavours from various regions at the time-honoured Tiffin Room at Raffles Hotel Singapore. This year, the heritage restaurant, which has been around since 1892, pays homage to iconic street food from Kolkata. A la carte dishes include Lagan Ki Chop from Lucknow, which is juicy tandoori-cooked lamb chops marinated in a blend of spices, enhanced by  sesame seeds and curry leaf chutney.

For the vegetarians, opt for the Dal Dhokli, an aromatic stew of yellow lentil, tamarind, jaggery, curry leaves. It is served with chickpea bread to dip in the flavourful broth. Save stomach space for Jodhpuri Vegetable Biryani, basmati rice layered with mixed vegetables, rose water, saffron, fresh mint, and coriander leaves. End the meal on a high with desserts such as Orange Halwa, a sweet made of orange and ash gourd, which is popularly enjoyed in the Northern regions of India. Besan Nariyal Burfi, is another beloved milk-based sweet with chickpea and coconut handcrafted into a melty fudge-like consistency.

Find out more here.

2. Butter Chicken Wings, Black Tap, Marina Bay Sands

Casual American restaurant Black Tap in Marina Bay Sands is best known for their voluptuous burgers and over-the-top milkshakes, but this Deepavali they’re celebrating the occasion with a dish that will be loved by all ages. Inspired by the classic dish of butter chicken, the butter chicken wings are coated in a creamy butter chicken sauce filled with a range of aromatic spices, sprinkled with crushed dukkah, and served with a tangy lime cilantro yoghurt dip.

Find out more here.

Related: Former Marina Bay Sands pastry chef Makoto Arami to open AMI Patisserie shop with a Chef’s Dessert Table concept

3. Royal Mithai Collection, Shahi Maharani

Those who are into plant-based food would be pleased to know that North Indian restaurant Shahi Maharani offers artisanal sweet and savoury festive goodies that are suitable for vegetarians. Highlights from their perennially popular mithai box includes the Nutty Rose Ladoo, which is filled with rose petal paste and topped with rose petals. Fan favourite Kaju Roll is stuffed with pistachio rolled up with cashews and pistachios and dusted silver leaf. For fruit lovers, the Mango Surprise pleases with its filling of mango fudge and white chocolate that melts in your mouth.

Find out more here.

4. Mithai Sweet Box, InterContinental Singapore

Another box to add to one’s mithai collection is this beauty from InterContinental Singapore. Encased in an elegant midnight blue and pink box and adorned with intricate motifs, the hotel’s mithai collection exudes the regal charm.

A few must-tries in the box include Soan Papdi, a simple yet elegant treat made of roasted gram flour, ghee, and sugar. The Anjal King features a beautiful blend of dry figs and roasted mixed nuts, showcasing the skillful execution of the Indian candy. Another favourite is the Fancy Peda, which consists of khoya (reduced milk) or mawa, simmered to attain a perfect consistency.

Find out more here.