A new contemporary Indian restaurant is set to open on Liverpool’s Kings Dock this May, bringing a vibrant and flavour-led dining experience inspired by the rich diversity of Indian cuisine.
White Tiger, created by Merseyside-based doctors and long-time friends Meenal Abhyankar and Dhanya Kalathil, will introduce a new concept to the city, one that moves beyond the expected to celebrate the depth, regionality and creativity of Indian food.
Meenal and Dhanya, both 47, have spent over 20 years working as doctors in Liverpool City Region, balancing demanding careers in medicine with family life. Their move into hospitality is not a departure from that world, but an extension of it – a passion project rooted in care, connection and community.
The pair first met at the school gates as their children became friends, quickly bonding over shared experiences of building lives in Liverpool and a mutual love for authentic Indian food and the flavours of home.
While continuing their medical careers, the duo began developing White Tiger during their time off, driven by a desire to introduce something new to Liverpool’s dining scene.
Despite their love for the city, they felt there was a gap in the market for Indian cuisine that truly reflects the breadth and complexity of dishes found across the subcontinent.
At the heart of White Tiger will be a standout menu created in collaboration with two award-winning, internationally renowned Indian chefs, Shipra Khanna and Anahita Dhondy.
Together, they bring a powerful combination of heritage and innovation. The menu will draw on the vast landscape of Indian cuisine, from bold, nostalgic regional dishes to refined, modern interpretations, alongside influences inspired by Hakka street food and global flavours.
Every dish has been carefully developed to balance flavour, texture and storytelling, offering guests something both familiar and unexpected with each visit.
Set on the iconic Kings Dock, the restaurant will offer a warm, inviting space designed to feel both special and accessible, with interiors, music and service all working together to create an immersive dining experience that goes beyond the plate.
The name White Tiger reflects the ethos behind the brand – something rare, distinctive and powerful – symbolising both the uniqueness of the concept and the journey of its founders as women balancing careers in medicine with entrepreneurship.
Meenal Abhyankar, Co-founder of White Tiger, explained: “Dhanya and I have both built our lives and careers in Merseyside and feel incredibly grateful to the city region, but we always felt there was something missing when it came to Indian food. We wanted to create a space that truly reflects the variety, depth and elegance of the dishes we grew up with.
“Working with chefs like Shipra and Anahita has allowed us to bring that vision to life in a way that feels authentic, exciting and completely different.”
Dhanya Kalathil, Co-Founder of White Tiger, added: “This has been a journey built on friendship, trust and a shared vision. We didn’t want to create just another Indian restaurant but an offering that feels thoughtful, expressive and true to its roots, while still being welcoming to everyone.
“Liverpool is such a vibrant city and we felt it was the perfect place to bring this concept to life.”
White Tiger is set to open in May, with further details to be announced in the coming weeks. To keep up to date with the progress of White Tiger, head over to the restaurant’s Instagram @whitetiger.liverpool.
