Novotel Vijayawada Varun continues to expand the city’s culinary horizons by bringing distinctive global cuisines to Andhra Pradesh through thoughtfully curated food festivals and immersive dining experiences. From the sun-soaked flavours of the Mediterranean to the rich coastal traditions of Goa, the hotel is creating opportunities for guests to explore authentic regional and international cuisines without leaving Vijayawada. Through these limited-period showcases at The Food Exchange, Novotel Vijayawada Varun is positioning itself as a destination for culinary discovery, introducing residents and travellers to diverse food cultures, stories, and traditions from around the world.

The Great Mediterranean Feast | 15th to 19th May 2026

Novotel Vijayawada Varun is bringing the zesty, herb-laced spirit of the Mediterranean coast to the heart of Andhra Pradesh. From 15th to 19th May, The Food Exchange will transform into a coastal culinary destination with a specially curated Mediterranean Food Festival, a five-day celebration of soups, mezzes, tapas, and iconic desserts drawn from Southern Europe and the Levant.

At its heart, Mediterranean cooking celebrates simplicity, fresh vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and generous pours of extra virgin olive oil. The Food Exchange, known for its inventive approach to global cuisines, brings that philosophy to life with contemporary plating and bold, honest flavours.

The specially curated tasting menu reads like a tour of the coastline: Minestrone alla Genovese from Italy, crisp Cigar Böreği from Turkey, Spain’s beloved Patatas Bravas, and the herb-stuffed Spinach Fatayer of the Levant, capped by a golden, syrup-soaked Kunafa for dessert. Every dish is prepared with region-specific ingredients and traditional techniques, bringing a genuine taste of the Mediterranean to the table.

“Vijayawada has an incredibly vibrant food culture, and we wanted to complement that spirit with something new. The sun-drenched flavours of the Mediterranean like the Turkish börek, Italian minestrone and a show-stopping Kunafa, every dish on this menu tells a story. We can’t wait for our guests to experience it,” said Chef Shivaramakrishna, Executive chef at Novotel Vijayawada Varun.  

Lost Cuisines: Goan Cuisine | 17th May 2026

Novotel Vijayawada Varun is set to transport diners straight to Goa’s sun-kissed coast with “The Goan Cuisine” an exclusive, one-day culinary showcase at Food Exchange on Sunday, 17 May 2026. Expect a specially curated spread of traditional Goan favourites, many rarely seen on contemporary menus, celebrating the region’s coastal bounty, bold spices and distinctive Portuguese legacy.

Curated under Culinary Voices, Lost Cuisines Edition, this special showcase is a part of Novotel Vijayawada Varun’s six-month gastronomic journey to revive forgotten regional recipes and spotlight the stories behind them. 

The menu brings together an irresistible line-up of coastal signatures. Sopa de Crab, Pineapple Sasav, Chicken Xacuti, Prawns Curry, Raw Banana Fry and the refreshing Kokum Mojito, among other delights. Thoughtfully crafted to capture Goa’s bold coastal flavours and aromatic roasted spices, each dish offers a delicious peek into a cuisine shaped by tradition, travel and timeless family kitchens.

“Goan cuisine is a celebration of the sea, the spice jar and centuries of cultural exchange,” said Executive Chef Shivaramakrishna, Novotel Vijayawada Varun. “For this Lost Cuisines edition, we’ve gone beyond the usual favourites to bring back recipes you don’t easily find today. Slow-cooked gravies, tangy kokum notes, roasted masalas and comforting coastal curries. If you’ve ever wanted to ‘taste’ Goa the way families have cooked it for generations, this one-day showcase is your boarding pass.”