NADU, the regional Indian restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Sujan Sarkar, is preparing to open at Desert Ridge Marketplace. While an opening date has not yet been announced, the restaurant will bring a menu inspired by the diverse culinary traditions found across India.
Located at 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., the upcoming restaurant will mark the second location for the concept, which debuted in Chicago in 2025 and quickly earned national recognition, including a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation and a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for Best New Restaurant.
Sujan Sarkar also owns Indienne, the Chicago restaurant that earned a Michelin star for its modern interpretation of Indian cuisine. He also oversees a growing restaurant portfolio that includes Sifr, Swadesi, and NADU.
Meaning “homeland,” NADU was created to highlight the depth and diversity of India’s regional cuisines. The concept draws inspiration from culinary traditions found throughout the country, exploring flavors, ingredients, and techniques associated with different cities and regions.
Menu items at the Chicago location include Tangra Chili Fish, Lamb Gilafi Seekh Kebab, Dadar Vada Pav, Benne Masala Dosa, Murgh Makhani, Kashmiri Roganjosh, and Kerala-style beef ularthiyathu, highlighting the range of culinary traditions represented throughout the concept.
The restaurant will also feature a dedicated kebab program showcasing live-fire cooking techniques traditionally associated with clay tandoors, charcoal-fired grills, and cast-iron cooking surfaces.
The beverage program will continue the regional theme. At the Chicago flagship, cocktails incorporate ingredients such as turmeric, mango, rose, tea, apricot, kokum, and vetiver, while the spirits list includes Indian whiskies, gins, and rum alongside global selections.
To bring the Arizona location to life, Sarkar partnered with Zest Hospitality Group, the team behind Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine in Chandler.
The Phoenix restaurant will be led by Executive Chef Pujan Sarkar, a longtime mentee of Chef Sujan Sarkar who also oversees the Michelin-recognized restaurant Tiya in San Francisco.
According to the company, the restaurant will accommodate more than 120 guests and feature a contemporary design inspired by modern India. The space will also showcase artwork from Chicago-based artist Abhay Sehgal.
What Now Phoenix reached out to NADU for additional details regarding the opening timeline. This article may be updated as more information becomes available.
