Ruth Dsouza Prabhu is an independent journalist and author based in Bengaluru, with 25 years of experience across television, print and digital media. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Al Jazeera, The National, Nikkei Asia, Condé Nast Traveller and Architectural Digest among others. She is the author and editor of India's Most Legendary Restaurants and a contributor to the Bloomsbury Handbook of Indian Cuisine. Ruth explores places through their food and finds her best stories in conversations with the people behind it. Off the clock, she is a committed pickle fiend with a dedicated cupboard to prove it. And is thoroughly unimpressed by her recently acquired lactose intolerance, despite never having cared much for dessert anyway.

Ruth Dsouza Prabhu

Ruth Dsouza Prabhu

Contributing Writer, Time Out India

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Listings and reviews (1)

Moonjar

Moonjar

4 out of 5 stars
Bengaluru’s ruling the roost when it comes to how far ahead India’s bar scene really is. Two of India’s three entries on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list in 2026 are in Bengaluru; we’re home to some incredible new concepts – from wine dive bars and Japanese-themed speakeasies to menus that focus on Indian ingredients and indigenous spirits – so it’s no wonder that Moonjar’s got some high standards to live up to.  That a bar was in the works above Nila – Chef Rahul Sharma’s degustation-menu-only restaurant with brand new ‘chapters’ for menus – was known to many and much awaited by several. Moonjar opened doors in August 2026, and immediately piqued my curiosity for several reasons. For one, this 28-seater’s only open Friday to Sunday. Secondly, it focuses on sessionable cocktails made with bases of soju, vermouth, wine, and other low-ABV spirits. The food menu – well, more on that later.  To get to Moonjar, you’ve got to walk past Nila and its now Instagram-loved light installation, and go up a narrow flight of stairs. The Japandi theme (introduced at Nila and replicated here by Prachi Joshi of Designworx) abounds, with curves, circles, and an almost eclipse-like lighting in several corners.  The food and drinks at Moonjar The drinks menu, created by Head of Bar Sibasish Palai (who honed his craft at Mayfair’s Sketch before joining Public House Group – a winner of a Michelin Bib Gourmand in their debut year, no less) presents only nine drinks, representing the eight phases of the moon