By Seema Dhawan
“What do Turkish sand coffee, Alphonso mango salad, truffle cheese, and gold-dusted desserts have in common? They’re all waiting at Le Gourmet, The Chanakya—where food becomes a destination.”
I walked into Le Gourmet expecting a grocery store.
I walked out from a world where curated ingredients, global flavors, and fine design come together — not just to be bought, but to be experienced.
I left feeling like I’d travelled across continents, one tasting counter at a time.
This newly unveiled concept by Marche Retail and DS Group reimagines food shopping as a sensorial and cultural journey, executed with elegance, emotion, and intention. Think of it as a curated playground for food connoisseurs, where rare ingredients meet everyday indulgence, and global cuisines are just a tasting away.
Located at The Chanakya, New Delhi, Le Gourmet isn’t just India’s first luxury grocery destination — it’s a choreographed stage for everything we associate with epicurean joy, from handcrafted pastries and truffle cheese to live tastings and 24K gold-infused coffee.
I was guided through this experience by Purvi Gupta, the store’s warm and insightful manager, whose passion for detail was as inviting as the space itself.
🥐 First Stop: Lopera — A Parisian Morning in New Delhi
The journey begins not with aisles, but with aroma.
Warm croissants, crusty baguettes, pain au chocolat, and artisanal sourdoughs rise like sculpture behind polished glass. At Lopera, Le Gourmet’s in-house French bakery, breakfast isn’t a transaction — it’s a slow ritual.
With marble counters, curated lighting, and that unmistakable scent of fresh butter and yeast, this corner transports you straight to a morning in Montmartre. No passport needed.
☕ Coffee, Conversations & Liquid Gold
Next came the coffee bar — a sensory theatre of rare brews and rich aromas. I was served Turkish sand coffee, the theatrical kind, followed by a warm, silky 24K Gold Cappuccino, shimmering with edible gold.
What struck me was the quiet reverence with which each cup was poured — every detail, from roast to cup, felt personal. It wasn’t just caffeine; it was craft.
🌳 Tea, Reimagined
At the tea station, I tasted infusions like Jasmine Blue Reverie, Velvet Lotus Mist, and Royal Earl, each with a poetic profile. Served in minimal ceramic ware, the teas weren’t simply beverages — they were a study in seasonality, wellness, and subtlety.
There’s a deep sense of storytelling in how the menu flows — each corner of Le Gourmet is a different chapter.
🥗 A Seasonal Surprise: The Alphonso Salad
The Alphonso mango salad, plated with peppery greens, edible flowers, and a whisper of vinaigrette, captured summer in its most elegant form. Fresh, bright, and surprisingly memorable, it proved that even the simplest dishes, when made with intention, leave the deepest impression.
🍨 Ice Cream Macarons, Gold-Dusted Treats & Gelato Whimsy
Just as the journey peaked, I turned a corner into playful indulgence — a space lined with ice cream macarons, gelato burgers, and desserts brushed in edible gold. It was unexpected and artful — a touch of childhood wonder reimagined for grown-up taste buds.
The dessert section spills into Middle Eastern sweet counters — think baklava, stuffed dates, and layered nut-filled pastries. Nearby, a chocolate station invites you to custom-create fresh bonbons — filled, moulded, and boxed right before your eyes. It’s sensory, sophisticated, and entirely personal.
🍝 A Bowl Built Your Way: The Pasta Station
A standout moment was discovering the made-to-order pasta counter, where you select everything from the type of pasta and sauce to seasonal toppings and finishing oils. Whether it’s a classic aglio e olio or a truffle-laced Alfredo, the choices feel bespoke, not templated — the kind of detail that transforms food into experience.
🧀 Cheese, Dips & Delights
Tucked nearby is the cheese and dips counter, a destination in itself. Here, wheels of aged brie, truffle cheddar, and bloomy rinds are paired with an array of handcrafted dips — from sun-dried tomato hummus and smoked labneh to basil ricotta whips. It’s a space that inspires grazing, gifting, and dinner party dreaming.
🛂 Rare Ingredients, Global Staples & Curated Corners
Beyond the patisserie and tastings lies the gourmet heart of Le Gourmet — aisles that feature everything from Japanese melons, white strawberries, and hydroponic greens to cold-pressed oils, Khapli wheat flours, and organic pantry staples.
You’ll find Korean condiments, Japanese sauces, Mediterranean oils, and Oriental spices all arranged with quiet elegance.
For meat lovers, the butchery features prized cuts like Jamon Iberico de Bellota, fresh duck, turkey, and gourmet sausages. The seafood and caviar counters are even more impressive — from Oscietra and Kaluga to Russian Beluga and Labeyrie, curated with chef-grade finesse. And yes — black truffles, truffle-infused cheeses, and truffle oils take centre stage for those who like their ingredients with a little drama.
🌿 Wellness, Florals & Thoughtful Living
What makes Le Gourmet truly modern is its awareness of lifestyle beyond food. You’ll also find:
- A selection of pet care products
- A bespoke floral station, where you can custom-create gifting bouquets
- Thoughtfully curated hampers featuring everything from truffles to tea
- And of course, chocolates made fresh to order — perfect for personalized gifting
🚚 Luxury at Your Doorstep
If you prefer indulging from home, Le Gourmet offers 2-hour express delivery across Delhi NCR — with temperature-controlled packaging, chef recommendations, and seasonal pairings delivered to your door. It’s a seamless extension of the in-store experience.
Food as a Destination
More than a store, Le Gourmet is a lifestyle destination — one that blends international luxury with Indian warmth, transforming daily errands into moments of discovery. It’s not just about what you take home; it’s about how the experience makes you feel while you’re there.
Whether you’re exploring rare ingredients, treating yourself to gold-dusted coffee, or curating a wellness hamper, Le Gourmet turns everyday indulgence into something quietly extraordinary.
