In India, every region has its own love language—and most of the time, it’s food. Whether it’s a plate of perfectly crisp dosa, a steaming bowl of rajma and chawal, or a fiery misal pav that wakes up all senses at once, our country has never been short on flavour and mouth-watering dishes. And now, the world is appreciating and applauding them too. TasteAtlas has released its list of the ‘100 Best Food Regions,’ and four Indian locales have earned their place alongside global heavyweights. It’s a delicious win, and we think we deserve it!
About ‘100 Best Food Regions’ List By TasteAtlas
TasteAtlas’ ‘100 Best Food Regions’ is a comprehensive, annual, and global listing that lauds the world’s most influential, rich, diverse, and flavour-forward culinary destinations.
Compiled after sifting through a mix of critic reviews, audience ratings, and the platform’s own extensive database of food across the globe, the list has today become a significant benchmark in the international food community, ever since it launched in 2018. For regions that make the cut, the recognition goes beyond just a simple title or award—the honour places the destination’s local food traditions on a global stage, offering worldwide reach, greater culinary tourism, and a much wider cultural recognition from audiences all across the globe.
2025: India’s Time To Shine
The big moment? Southern India claims the highest rank, landing proudly at No. 40, securing a spot among the world’s top 50 food regions. Following close behind are West Bengal at 73, Maharashtra at 76, and Kerala, rounding it off at 97. Whether you’re a proud local or a curious traveller, it’s the kind of recognition that reminds you just how deep and diverse India’s culinary heritage truly is.
Every region that made it to the list brings its own iconic flavours to the table. In the South, some highlights include comfort dishes like karimeen pollichathu that features an iconic pearl spot fish, wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked until smoky and tender.
Add to that the legendary Hyderabadi dum biryani, sambhar and dosa, and the addictive crunch of chicken 65, and it becomes quite easy to see why the region sits so high on the chart.
Meanwhile, West Bengal continues to attract palates with iconic dishes like chingri malai curry, kathi rolls, and the velvety murgh rezala. Bengali cuisine is all about balancing the signature with the contemporary, which is exactly why this one has won its spot on the list.
Over to Maharashtra, where spice and comfort take centre stage. Think misal pav, vada pav, pav bhaji, gini dosa, Bombay sandwich, and the golden, crispy batata vada. These are the kind of plates that leave your fingers messy and your heart (and tummy) very happy.
Lastly, in Kerala, the list celebrates dishes like upperi, the delicate ishtu, soft putu mayam, and zingy nariyal Chutney—each as fascinating, yummy, and classic as the areas they come from.
With four regions making the global cut, it’s safe to say that India’s flavour map continues to expand far beyond its borders. And honestly? It’s about time the world caught up.
Other Regions Among The Top 5
Europe is quite popular for its culinary genius and diversity. Thanks to the many world-famous cuisines that emerge from the continent. The top 5 regions among TasteAtlas’ ‘100 Best Food Regions’ list also pay homage to the land of food and indulgence. These include: Campania (Italy) at number 1, Emilia-Romagna (Italy) at second place, followed closely by Crete (Greece), Sicily (Italy) and finally Macedonia (Greece).
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