(April 21, 2025) Amar Ohri, Owner and Executive Director of the Ohri’s Group, has expanded a legacy-driven enterprise into a portfolio of 23 restaurants and three hotels over a two-decade-long career.
Tucked away in Hyderabad’s financial district of Gachibowli is a space that is a sensory ode to design. Think waterways, curving beige walls, expansive ceilings, intricate jali work, calligraphy cast in a reflective gold finish, mammoth pillars, marble inlay work, and more. In case you are wondering what this space is, welcome to Tansen, a beautiful 8,500 sq ft restaurant that is making waves in the city of Hyderabad. Designed by Design Epicenter, the interiors have been crafted in close collaboration with restaurateur Amar Ohri.
Tansen | Photo Credit: Ohri’s
Building blocks
The Executive Director of the Ohri’s Group, holds an MBA from Johnson & Wales University, Rhode Island, USA, as well as a BBA in Hospitality Management from Ecole Lemania, Lausanne, Switzerland—credentials that have prepared him to lead his family business. “My education abroad, particularly in business and hospitality management, played a transformative role in shaping my approach. It exposed me to global best practices, diverse culinary cultures, and cutting-edge hospitality concepts. This experience broadened my perspective, helping me blend tradition with modernity while fostering a culture of continuous innovation,” he tells Global Indian.
Interestingly, Amar Ohri is someone who has always been surrounded by the hospitality industry, given his family’s deep-rooted presence in the business. “However, my journey began with a keen interest in understanding consumer behaviour, branding, and the evolving dynamics of dining experiences,” he mentions.
Career cues
Entrepreneurship, then, was always in his DNA, but the defining moment came when he recognised the untapped potential in Hyderabad’s dining scene. “I recall visiting a unique concept restaurant abroad that completely redefined the dining experience for me. It made me realize that restaurants should not only serve great food but also craft immersive, memorable experiences. That was the turning point—I knew I wanted to elevate Hyderabad’s hospitality landscape by introducing theme-based dining concepts that went beyond just food.” And probably this is why he has created several restaurants like the jungle theme at Serengeti, the caves theme at Gufaa, or the train theme at Silver Metro in Hyderabad. “The philosophy behind our theme-based restaurants is simple—every meal should be an experience, not just a routine. Each concept is meticulously curated, ensuring the ambiance, menu, and storytelling align seamlessly,” he says.
Amar Ohri
While Ohri’s Tansen brings the grandeur of Mughal India with live ghazals, regal décor, and a menu celebrating the richness of North Indian flavours, in Gufaa guests are greeted by dim lighting and eerie ambient sounds, creating an immersive cave-like atmosphere. Every restaurant is designed to provide an unparalleled dining journey that stimulates all senses.
Accelerating growth
Amar’s career has been all about upholding the Ohri’s legacy while introducing new-age hospitality experiences. He has expanded the Ohri’s brand by launching multiple theme-based restaurants, each offering a unique and immersive dining experience. He has successfully integrated international hospitality trends into the local ecosystem while retaining the essence of Indian hospitality. He is spearheading Ohri’s transformation with a focus on reinvention, innovation, and expansion into newer markets.
His focus is also on leading innovation in culinary experiences, introducing interactive dining concepts, enhanced customer engagement strategies, and leveraging technology to redefine service excellence. “While Ohri’s has a strong foundation, my vision has been to modernise and evolve the brand in alignment with changing consumer expectations. I have focused on creating experiential dining, ensuring that every restaurant tells a unique story through its ambiance, menu, and service. I have also worked on strengthening brand identity by enhancing visibility, refining customer engagement, and positioning Ohri’s as a leader in premium and theme-based dining. Driving digital transformation, integrating tech-driven efficiencies for seamless service, enhancing online presence, and leveraging data analytics to personalise the dining experience is also something I have worked on,” he explains.
Amar Ohri
Learning journey
Hospitality is a dynamic industry that demands constant evolution and adaptability. Some of the most valuable lessons he has learnt is that customer experience is paramount—exceptional food alone is not enough; the ambience, service quality, and personalisation define long-term success. “Innovation is key; stagnation is the biggest risk in hospitality. Trends change rapidly, and staying ahead of the curve is essential. Also, team culture drives success. Motivated and well-trained teams create memorable guest experiences. Investing in employee well-being and growth translates directly into customer satisfaction,” he says.
He is now working on redefining the brand for a new era of hospitality. As part of this, some of the key focus areas include modernising and reimagining existing restaurants to align with contemporary dining expectations and introducing innovative dining concepts that resonate with today’s diners, blending nostalgia with fresh, cutting-edge experiences. “Expanding our footprint beyond Hyderabad, with strategic entry into major metropolitan cities across India, is also on the cards. Prioritising sustainability and digital transformation to enhance customer engagement, optimise service, and contribute to environmentally responsible dining is our plan.”
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Future perfect
Amar Ohri is inspired by global hospitality leaders who have revolutionised the industry with visionary concepts and customer-centric approaches. “However, my greatest motivation comes from seeing happy guests return and the joy our restaurants bring to people’s lives. A life lesson I truly believe in is ‘always be innovate, but never compromise on quality.’ Trends may evolve, but authenticity and excellence stand the test of time,” he says. Amar is actively working on expanding Ohri’s beyond Hyderabad, entering key metro cities in India with strategically curated concepts. “Our long-term vision includes taking Ohri’s legacy global, introducing our unique theme-based and experiential dining concepts to international markets while staying true to the core values that define our brand,” he concludes.
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