As India’s food scene thrives and evolves, two of the country’s restaurants, Mumbai’s Masque (ranked 26) and Kasauli’s NAAR (ranked 49), have made it to The 50 Best Restaurants list for this year. This was announced at the awards ceremony that took place in Lima, Peru on November 4, 2026. It is after 19 years that any Indian restaurant has made its way to the prestigious list that features some of the top restaurants from across the globe. New Delhi’s Bukhara made its mark in 2007.
Tresind, Dubai, run by Chef Himanshu Saini and Gaggan, Bangkok helmed by Chef Gaggan Anand are two other restaurants run by India-born chefs that have made it to The 50 list for this year. This is a moment that not just places India on the global culinary map but also acts as a stimulus for young and budding chefs to aim higher and do better.
The ranking is based on votes cast by over 1,000 food writers, critics, chefs, and culinary professionals from 27 regions worldwide. While the voting process remains confidential, all voters must have visited the restaurants they nominate within the past 18 months.
Know More About NAAR And Masque
Masque, Mumbai
Started by restaurateur Aditi Dugar, Masque is India’s first standlone tasting-menu-only restaurant (not housed within a hotel). Helmed by Chef Varun Totlani, who took charge of the kitchen in 2022, the restaurant’s contemporary Indian approach places seasonal, locally sourced produce at the centre of its tasting menus. Inside Masque is also a lab that becomes the backbone of many dishes that feature on the menu. It was at No. 68 on last year’s extended list, so this year marks a jump of 42 places for the restaurant. Masque was also named the Best Restaurant in India for the fifth time earlier this year, and secured the Art of Hospitality Award at Asia’s 50 Best, a first for an Indian establishment.
NAAR, Kasauli
Nestled in a quaint corner of Kasauli, NAAR has made its debut on The 50 Best Restaurants list, following its appearance at No. 66 on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list last year. Founded by Chef Prateek Sadhu, the restaurant celebrates Himalayan cuisine through a cooking philosophy centred on fire. Its name, which means fire in Kashmiri, reflects this approach. The menu draws on the culinary traditions of Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Ladakh, and Uttarakhand, following the region’s six seasons.
Other Restaurants From Across The World That Have Ranked On The List
Leading the list of The 50 Best Restaurants of 2026 is Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain, helmed by Chef Bittor Arguinzoniz. Known for its mastery of fire-based cooking, the restaurant uses custom-built grills to bring out the natural flavours of its ingredients.
Bangkok’s Gaggan, at No. 2, follows with Chef Gaggan Anand‘s progressive interpretation of Indian cuisine, combining experimental techniques with theatrical storytelling. Copenhagen’s Alchemist, led by Chef Rasmus Munk, takes the third spot with its immersive approach to dining, blending gastronomy, art and technology. At No. 4 is Mexico City’s Quintonil, founded by Chef Jorge Vallejo, which celebrates Mexican ingredients and culinary traditions through contemporary cooking. Rounding off the top five is Hong Kong’s Wing, where Chef Vicky Cheng reinterprets Chinese regional cuisines through an inventive tasting-menu experience.
Read more: Mumbai’s Masque Turns A Decade Old In An All-New Avatar
Also read: Is The Michelin Guide Finally Setting Foot In India?
