Akina - Contemporary Asian Experience — Restaurant in Hyderabad

Visited Akina for dinner with office colleagues on a Monday evening, and unfortunately, the experience didn’t live up to expectations—mainly due to underwhelming food and portion sizes that contrast sharply with the otherwise stunning decor and ambience.

The space itself feels world-class, with attention to design and detail that’s hard to miss. But that elevated vibe is let down by average service. The wait staff seemed more focused on upselling than creating a memorable dining experience. At ₹400 for a four-piece dish, we often found ourselves needing to double up just to make a dent in our hunger.

Advance reservations are advisable, even though the restaurant appeared to have plenty of seating on a weekday. Akina is located within The Loft, and finding it involves going around Sattva to reach Entrance Gate 1. Valet is available, and parking is generally sorted, whether you're in a car or on a two-wheeler.

The welcome experience—from the rooftop lift exit to the first impression—is striking, but it made us wonder whether some of that budget could’ve gone into improving food quality or reducing menu prices.

They initially split our group of twelve into two tables due to a reservation mix-up. Luckily, they accommodated us at a large outdoor table, which worked well and highlighted the flexibility of their seating setup. Akina’s ambience is versatile—suitable for everything from date nights to family dinners or business meets. Washrooms are well-maintained, and the overall vibe supports quiet conversation.

The digital menu was decent but felt limited for a restaurant claiming to serve Asian fusion. The staff weren’t helpful in guiding us with portion sizes, which led to over-ordering. Most dishes were mediocre—small portions and average taste. The chocolate desserts stood out as the highlight. But several frustrations added up: refusal to serve certain items citing cultural norms, underwhelming jasmine rice, and a fusion approach that felt more restrictive than inventive.

Personally, I’ve had better experiences at places like Asie and Koko, especially on the vegetarian side. Asie in particular offers better pricing without compromising too much on quality.

Our final bill came to around ₹2,000 per person. The 10% service charge—about ₹2,000—felt undeserved, though we let it go since it was a business meal.

Bottom line: Akina impresses with its ambience and decor but falls short on food, service, and overall value. Worth a visit for the setting—just don’t expect to be wowed...

I had the pleasure of visiting Akina earlier in the day for lunch, and it was an absolutely delightful experience from the moment I stepped in. Since I arrived a bit early, I was one of the first guests and had the chance to sit by myself for a few quiet in the peaceful rooftop setting, enjoy the calm drizzle outside the window, and appreciate the serene ambience. It also gave me the perfect chance to take some lovely photos before the lunch crowd arrived.

We started our meal with the Avocado Tempura Wasabi Roll, which was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully plated. We also ordered the Yaki Udan Chinese Noodles and the Akina Veg Fried Rice, both of which were rich in taste and thoughtfully customized to match our preferences. Every dish was well balanced and satisfying.

A real standout for me was their Spiced Kyuri non alcoholic drink. It was incredibly refreshing and had just the right blend of flavors. I would call it a perfect summer cooler, one that instantly lifts your mood and complements the meal wonderfully.

Akina's ambience is what makes the experience even more special. Set on the terrace of The Loft building, the restaurant offers a calm, elevated space that feels both modern and cozy. Whether you are catching up over lunch or planning a relaxed evening dinner, this place fits the bill perfectly. I am already planning to return for dinner next time.

Lastly, though I missed asking the name of our server, I saw Kevi listed as Captain on the bill, and if she was the one who served us, then she truly made the experience warm and memorable with her thoughtful attention.

Akina is a gem in this neighborhood. With great food, an inviting atmosphere, and sincere service, it is a spot you will want to revisit...

Went to Akina today. Apologies, I did not have reservation and I walked in. We were just two girls wanting to eat some good Asian food and landed up at Akina. I was comfortable to know that the place is full and they cant accommodate two people. We requested if we could take a look and went inside. More than half the restaurant was empty.. There was some issue with the manager- the place she told us had renovation on had people already sitting. Yet she chose not to gave us place at the same area coz apparently ‘renovation’ was on. As if people are mad and blind. Then next, she was kind to say she will give us a place at 9.30 (it was 8.15 pm that time) IF someone cancels. Anyway did not like managers attitude so we decided to leave. Next we were near lift when a call was made and someone cancelled reservation. Yet again we said hey someone cancelled can we get a place now? The response was uh mam need to ask manager. A proper well trained staff would be like - mam pls wait i will check and get back and NOT stand with a cold face with no hospitality. Overall not gonna visit ever again. Let the fizzle come down and when people would trickle down in numbers will they wait for people to walk in. Still haven’t understood that managers issue with us though!!! What she did not like our dressing?? Oh btw, it was Ugadi and am not sure if the manager had issue with my traditional dressing. Oh my fault may be!! Traditional dress being judged on a day of festival. Anyway, one8 commune got benefitted by Akina’s disrespect to their guests :) love one8 commune’s...