Indian cuisine has secured a notable place on the global dining map, with two restaurants based in the country featuring on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list for the first time. Mumbai's Masque entered the rankings at No. 26, while Naar in Kasauli made its debut at No. 49. The results were announced at a ceremony in Lima, Peru, on Tuesday.
The recognition marks a significant moment for India's fine-dining scene. The last time an Indian restaurant featured on the global list was in 2004, when Bukhara at ITC Maurya in New Delhi made the rankings.
Spain's Asador Etxebarri, located in the Basque village of Axpe, claimed the top spot this year. Chef Bittor Arguinzoniz's restaurant is known for its fire-focused cooking, with dishes ranging from anchovy on toast to milk ice cream paired with beetroot.
Gaggan in Bangkok takes second place
Among restaurants showcasing Indian cuisine, Bangkok-based Gaggan, founded by Kolkata-born chef Gaggan Anand, secured the second position overall. It was also named the Best Restaurant in Asia 2026.
Known for its progressive interpretation of Indian cuisine, Gaggan combines influences from French, Thai and Japanese culinary traditions. Its dining experience blends food, music, colour and theatrical presentation.
The restaurant has also challenged conventional fine-dining practices, encouraging guests to eat with their hands and, at times, even lick their plates. In 2026, it introduced a no-phones-at-the-table policy. Gaggan has topped Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list five times, most recently in 2025.
Masque makes its global debut at No. 26
Mumbai's Masque secured the 26th position in its first appearance on the list, finishing ahead of Dubai's three-Michelin-starred Tresind Studio, which ranked 28th.
Chef Varun Totlani, who joined Masque as a commis chef shortly after its launch in 2016, became its head chef in 2022. His menus experiment with regional Indian ingredients and familiar dishes. One example is seaweed and ponkh bhel, which combines Goan seaweed with ponkh, a young sorghum speciality from Gujarat.
Housed in a restored textile mill in Mumbai's Mahalaxmi neighbourhood, the restaurant also retains elements of the building's industrial character.
Naar earns recognition for sustainable dining
Naar in Kasauli entered the rankings at No. 49 and also received the Sustainable Restaurant Award 2026. Led by chef Prateek Sadhu, the restaurant focuses on local sourcing, community participation and environmentally conscious cooking.
Set amid pine forests in the Himalayan foothills, Naar's tasting menu draws inspiration from the region's 6 traditional seasons — pre-winter, winter, spring, summer, monsoon and autumn. Its dishes change with the seasons, reflecting local produce, landscapes and culinary traditions.
Tresind Studio showcases India's culinary heritage
Dubai's Tresind Studio, ranked 28th, was named the Best Restaurant in the Middle East 2026. Chef Himanshu Saini's tasting menu, titled Rising India, explores India's 5,000-year culinary heritage through ingredients and dishes inspired by different regions.
The recognition of these restaurants reflects the growing international presence of Indian flavours, regional ingredients and contemporary interpretations of the country's culinary traditions.