Niya CIL review: our verdict
Niya CIL encapsulates the essence of Niya: saffron and candied lemon-boosted king oyster mushrooms that celebrate plant-based cooking to delight everyone, vegan or not. Following its move from Gauthier, the restaurant has settled into a larger space at the CIL, featuring pink rooms lined with books and vinyls, and a tree-shaded terrace with mint-green chairs. The menu follows the seasons, offering dishes unique to this establishment.
The atmosphere is more family-friendly than at Gauthier: it's a place to lunch with friends, bring the children, or linger on the terrace on weekends. You don't need to be vegan to enjoy it; in fact, that is the house's own challenge. This isn't a spot for late dinners: the kitchen closes at 8 pm on weekdays and at 5 pm on Sundays. Nor is it a quick-service venue; the staff takes time to explain the dishes.
The dish to order: king oyster mushrooms à la daghmira, followed by soft serve with fig leaf. The trap: relying on a friend's menu, as it changes with the seasons; check the weekly one on Instagram. The best time slot: Saturday from 10 am for the terrace. Closed on Mondays.
