Two restaurants from India have earned spots on the 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list. And one of them has even bagged a special award.The winners were announced on November 4 at a ceremony in Lima, Peru, celebrating restaurants from 28 territories across six continents.Indian restaurants that made the cutMasque, Mumbai Masque has secured the 26th position on the global top 50 list.
The Mumbai restaurant, nestled in one of the city's old textile mills, is known for its contemporary approach to Indian cuisine, where seasonal ingredients, regional flavours and experimental cooking is served on a platter. Masque serves Andhra’s pachi pulusu, meaning raw tamarind stew.
Founded by entrepreneur Aditi Dugar, with Varun Totlani as head chef, the restaurant offers diners a special 10-course tasting menu. Last year, it featured on the extended list, securing the 68th position.
It has also secured a position on the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list. Naar, KasauliWho said world-class dining is limited to big cities?
Tucked away in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, Naar has entered the list at No. 49, putting Kasauli on the global culinary map.Founded by chef Prateek Sadhu, the restaurant sources ingredients from the Himalayan region and changes its menu according to the mountains' six distinct seasons.
It is regarded as one of the pioneering destination-dining restaurants in India. An accidental foraging trip led to a delicious twist on Himachali pancakes, or Patande, stuffed with freshly discovered Lingru.
Its kitchen also finds creative uses for food scraps and follows traditional Himalayan preservation techniques, including using hardwood ash to protect perishable ingredients. Naar also won the Sustainable Restaurant Award 2026 for its commitment to environmentally conscious cooking.The restaurant also served a curated menu during the state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu in honour of European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this year.Fun fact: Chef Prateek Sadhu was previously associated with Masque before he chose to step away.More about the 50 BestThe 50 Best Restaurants is one of the most coveted rankings in the culinary world.
Established in 2002, the annual list celebrates exceptional dining experiences, innovative chefs and restaurants shaping global food trends. It's part of the broader The 50 Best organisation, which lists the global who's who in the hospitality sector.The rankings are determined by votes from The 50 Best Restaurants Academy, comprising more than 1,100 international restaurant industry experts across 28 regions.Meanwhile, alongside the Indian names, taking the crown this year is Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain, celebrated for its exceptional wood-fire cooking.
Bangkok's Gaggan, led by Indian chef Gaggan Anand, follows at No. 2 and is also named Asia's Best Restaurant.
Copenhagen's Alchemist takes third place, followed by Quintonil in Mexico City at No. 4 and Wing in Hong Kong at fifth spot.- Ends