


Friendship Day is the perfect excuse to swap texts for quality time, whether that's over a leisurely brunch, a spontaneous staycation, an immersive wellness experience or cocktails that stretch late into the evening. This year, celebrate the people who make life brighter by planning an outing that goes beyond the usual café catch-up. From destination brunches and mindful retreats to exciting new restaurants and unforgettable staycation ideas, HELLO! India rounds up the best experiences across the country to make Friendship Day 2026 one to remember.
(Also Read: HELLO! India's Friendship Day 2026 checklist)

Celebrate Friendship Day with handcrafted cocktails inspired by the monsoon at Beluga – The Bar at The LaLiT Mumbai. Running until 10 August, the Monsoon Cocktail Festival features imaginative creations such as the Petrichor Paloma, Masala Monsoon Sour and Kokum Pepper Collins, offering a flavourful way to toast friendships.

For friends who love wellness and food, Six Senses Vana's five-day Living Kitchen retreat from August 5 to 9, 2026, offers an immersive culinary experience. Guests can cook alongside expert chefs, explore seasonal ingredients and discover mindful cooking techniques that are easy to recreate at home.

Turn Friendship Day into a weekend getaway with a staycation at Moxy Bengaluru Airport Prestige Tech Cloud. From cocktails at Bar Moxy and relaxing by the pool to gaming zones, lively social events and great food, the hotel recreates the joy of sleepovers with a grown-up twist.

Gather your closest friends over comforting Asian cuisine at BaaMee. The relaxed restaurant serves everything from sushi and dim sums to ramen and wok-tossed favourites, making it the ideal spot for sharing plates, cocktails and long conversations.

Celebrate over a special Friendship Day Brunch at FOO on August 2, 2026 across Mumbai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. Signature Pan-Asian dishes, handcrafted cocktails, indulgent desserts and a lively atmosphere make it a memorable way to reconnect with friends.

Start Friendship Day on a mindful note with HyLo Wellness Weekend in Kala Ghoda. The experience combines yoga, meditation, live flute music, wholesome breakfasts, a farmers' market and community conversations, creating a refreshing morning dedicated to wellness and meaningful connections.

Set against the backdrop of Nandi Hills, The Aviary's FRIENDS-themed brunch combines live music, gourmet food and interactive activities such as bouquet making and portrait drawing. It's an ideal destination for groups looking to celebrate with a luxurious weekend escape.

For friends who enjoy a little friendly competition, DDUCKPIN brings India's first duckpin bowling bistro to Mumbai. Combining bowling, elevated dining and immersive entertainment, it's a fresh alternative to the usual dinner plans.

Whether you're craving handcrafted pizzas, fresh sushi, comforting pasta or signature cocktails, Amicii's menu is designed for sharing. Its welcoming atmosphere makes it easy to spend hours catching up with friends over great food and drinks.

If your group prefers movement over mimosas, Bastian Wellness Club's Sunday Reset offers Spin sessions, Mat Pilates and a nourishing breakfast afterwards. Blending fitness, wellness and community, it's a refreshing way to celebrate Friendship Day together.
(Also Read: HELLO! India Eat Buy Try: Our hot list this July 2026)

For friends who believe every meal deserves to be an occasion, KOKO in Mumbai offers the perfect setting to celebrate Friendship Day in style. With its contemporary Asian cuisine, inventive cocktails and striking interiors, the fine-dining destination transforms a simple catch-up into a memorable celebration, whether you're planning a leisurely lunch or a late-night dinner with your closest circle.

If your idea of celebrating Friendship Day revolves around an indulgent feast, Sofitel's specially curated brunch at Pondichéry Café is worth bookmarking. From elaborate buffet spreads and live cooking stations to signature mocktails, sparkling beverages and decadent desserts, the brunch offers everything needed for an afternoon of great food, meaningful conversations and memorable moments with friends.

Friendship is often celebrated through life's simplest rituals, and Ladurée India brings that philosophy to life with its elegant Parisian café experience. Whether you're meeting over buttery viennoiseries, signature macarons, leisurely brunches or handcrafted coffees, the iconic French maison offers a sophisticated setting for reconnecting with friends, while its thoughtfully curated gifting collection makes it easy to take a little piece of the celebration home.

Just a short drive from Bengaluru, Domaine Sula makes for an ideal Friendship Day road trip filled with vineyard views and shared experiences. Guided wine tastings, scenic vineyard walks and gourmet dining come together to create a relaxed escape where conversations flow as easily as the wine, making it perfect for celebrating friendships over a weekend getaway.

Some of the best conversations happen around a table that's hard to leave, and Boulevard at The Orchid Hotel offers exactly that. Its Friendship Day Sunday brunch combines Indian and international favourites, live sushi and pasta stations, indulgent desserts and live music, creating the ideal backdrop for reunions, long lunches and quality time with friends.

Not every Friendship Day celebration needs to revolve around food. A pampering session at Looks Salon offers a refreshing alternative, where friends can spend the day indulging in hair spas, facials, manicures or fresh makeovers while catching up over conversations. It's a thoughtful way to celebrate your bond while prioritising self-care together.

For friends who bond over discovering extraordinary food, Indian Accent Mumbai is hosting a one-of-a-kind culinary collaboration with Tokyo's Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Biriyani Osawa. Available for just two nights on July 31 and August 1, the exclusive experience brings together Chef Takamasa Osawa's acclaimed biryanis alongside specially created collaborative dishes, making it a memorable outing for food-loving friends this Friendship Day weekend.

A perfect Friendship Day escape, Agra is steeped in history and grandeur. Located just 600 metres from the Taj Mahal - arguably the world’s most exquisite symbol of love - The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra draws inspiration from traditional Mughal palace architecture, featuring terraced lawns, reflection pools, fountains and elegant pavilions. Whether enjoying leisurely breakfasts, rejuvenating spa rituals, or moments by the pool, every experience is designed to feel unhurried and elegant with your best friend or your closest clique.

Mark the occasion with an elevated Japanese dining experience at MEGU, The Leela Palace New Delhi. Renowned for its refined flavours and elegant setting, the restaurant is perfect for friends looking to celebrate over beautifully crafted sushi, premium robata grills, and signature Japanese delicacies. Pair the meal with handcrafted cocktails or sake as you toast to lasting friendships in one of the capital's most sophisticated dining destinations.

Gather your closest friends for a Friendship Day escape where wellness, indulgence, and the great outdoors come together. At Aravali Marriott Resort & Spa, Delhi NCR, spend the long weekend unwinding with rejuvenating spa therapies, relaxing by the pool, and enjoying leisurely brunches and sundowners against the scenic backdrop of the Aravalli hills. From outdoor adventures and curated dining experiences to slow mornings and late-night conversations, it's the perfect setting to celebrate friendships without venturing too far from the city.

Celebrate Friendship Day with a cultural getaway to Amritsar, where rain-soaked streets and timeless traditions set the mood for an unforgettable long weekend. Begin with a peaceful visit to the Golden Temple, explore bustling local markets, and catch the iconic Wagah Border ceremony together. Unwind with spa therapies, rooftop pool sessions, and alfresco high tea before ending the day with Punjabi feasts, cocktail-making experiences, and conversations that stretch into the evening. It's a trip that blends friendship, food, and unforgettable memories.

Friendship Day presents the perfect occasion to slow down, savour authentic Italian flavours, and celebrate the people who make life's everyday moments extraordinary. The restaurant offers an inviting setting complemented by handcrafted Italian classics, signature wood-fired pizzas, freshly prepared pastas and indulgent desserts that capture the essence of traditional Italian cuisine to be shared with your loved ones, as intended by the Italians themselves.

Trade city chaos for the calm of the wilderness this Friendship Day with a monsoon escape to Jim Corbett Marriott Resort & Spa. Spend your days chasing sunrises on jungle safaris, unwinding with Ayurvedic therapies at Quan Spa, and bonding over Kumaoni delicacies and traditional high tea at Chowkdi. Whether it's a friendly game at The Jungle entertainment zone or simply soaking in the views of the Kosi River, every moment is designed for quality time together. It's the perfect long-weekend getaway to reconnect with your closest friends.

Bring your entire friend group together for a lavish Friendship Day feast at Spectra, where seven live kitchens serve everything from sushi and sashimi to wood-fired pizzas and global favourites. Whether you're planning a leisurely brunch, a long lunch, or an evening of great food and conversation, the elegant setting, interactive dining experience, and private seating options make it ideal for celebrating together. With something for every palate, it's a destination designed for making memories over exceptional food.

Swap the usual coffee catch-up for a day of wellness this Friendship Day with your best friend at The Wellness Club, Shangri-La Eros New Delhi. The specially curated Bring Your Bestie experience for two includes a 60-minute Signature or Deep Tissue Massage, access to the steam, Jacuzzi and infrared sauna, followed by a recovery treatment of your choice—Red Light Therapy, Normatec Leg Therapy, or Roller Therapy. End the day with a leisurely three-course poolside meal, making it the perfect long-weekend plan to relax, recharge, and celebrate your friendship together.

Swap the usual Friendship Day brunches and beach plans for a memorable distillery experience at the Paul John Visitor Centre in Goa. Explore the art of crafting the brand's award-winning single malts, from mashing and distillation in traditional copper pot stills to maturation in oak casks. Complete the visit with a tour of the underground cellars and a guided whisky tasting, making it a unique way to celebrate with your closest friends.

Known for its warm hospitality, globally inspired cuisine, and comforting dining experience, Mira’s is the perfect spot for meaningful catch-ups with friends. This Friendship Day, the neighbourhood-favourite cafe invites everyone to celebrate with their favourite people, where a live caricature artist will create personalised sketches for every table dining, offering a special keepsake to take home alongside great food and even better memories.

Royal China Delhi invites guests to celebrate Friendship Day with a limited-edition tequila pairing experience in collaboration with Vivaano Tequila. The exclusive menu brings together handcrafted tequila cocktails and Royal China's signature Chinese delicacies, celebrating bold flavours and the joy of sharing memorable moments with friends. Adding a thoughtful touch to the celebration, every walk-in guest will receive a customised Royal China Friendship Scroll to pen a personal note or heartfelt message for their loved ones, making the occasion even more memorable.

Nothing says quality time like a little self-care with your closest friend. Celebrate Friendship Day with a relaxing salon date at Geetanjali, where you can unwind over rejuvenating hair spa treatments followed by classic manicures and pedicures. Catch up, recharge, and leave feeling refreshed together—because the best friendships deserve a little pampering.

Celebrate Friendship Day by creating meaningful memories together at YellowStripe Dance Company, Saket, with a unique 90-minute Gratitude Workshop. Through reflective journaling, mindful conversations, guided meditation, and engaging activities, you'll discover the power of gratitude and how to incorporate it into everyday life. The experience concludes with a fun mini dance session, making it the perfect way for friends to connect, reflect, and celebrate the bond they share beyond the usual brunch or movie date.
(Also Read: Hot Off The HELLO! India Press: The embrace of wellness)