Delhi marked a milestone in its ecological and cultural revival on Tuesday with the inauguration of Café du Jardin at Asita Park – the city’s first French-style riverside outdoor café. Developed through a collaboration between L’Opéra and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the café introduces an open-air dining experience that integrates French culinary tradition with the natural beauty of the restored Yamuna floodplain.
More than 300 guests, including 11 ambassadors, 30 diplomats, senior government officials, cultural patrons, business leaders and families, attended the launch, signalling growing public enthusiasm for Delhi’s evolving riverfront culture.
Located within 197 hectares of revitalised wetlands, native grasslands and thriving bird habitats, Café du Jardin offers panoramic views of Asita Park’s carefully restored ecosystem. The café has been built using fully biodegradable structures that blend into the natural environment while providing visitors with a calm, shaded space for outdoor dining.
The menu features freshly prepared light meals, artisanal French bakery and patisserie items, and refreshing beverages. Designed for walkers, cyclists, families and tourists, the café also offers picnic-friendly options. The park’s Rs 50 entry ticket is redeemable at the café, encouraging visitors to explore the entire riverside landscape.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, praised the café as part of a larger effort to reconnect the city with the Yamuna:
“This café is another step forward in bringing people closer to their river. Made of fully biodegradable structures, it provides Delhi with an accessible, modern riverfront it has long been deprived of.”
Dr Kazem Samandari, Executive Chairman of L’Opéra, highlighted the symbolic importance of the project: “With Café du Jardin at Asita, we have created a unique outdoor concept that blends French culinary heritage with Delhi’s reawakening natural corridors.”
Co-founder Dr Christine Samandari added: “Café du Jardin is an invitation to pause — to enjoy food, nature, and each other. We are honoured to contribute to a space that brings joy, reflection, and community beside the Yamuna”.
Asita Park, once a degraded and polluted stretch of land along the river, has undergone one of Delhi’s most significant ecological transformations. Today, it features restored wetlands, millions of native plants and nearly 200 species of migratory birds, making it one of the Capital’s most vibrant biodiversity zones. The DDA announced that Asita Park will soon introduce Delhi’s first hot air balloon experience, offering aerial views of the regenerated floodplain.
The café’s opening day included a guided ecological walk through the park’s wetlands, followed by a French-style brunch at Café du Jardin. Guests described the venue as “Delhi’s new riverside haven”, noting its blend of natural serenity, cultural elegance and community-friendly design.
Dining and Cooking