- Masque (Mumbai) ranked 26th on 50 Best Restaurants 2026.
- Naar (Kasauli) secured 49th spot, recognized for sustainability.
- Spain's Asador Etxebarri claimed the top position globally.
While we savour our good old desi favourites, Indian cuisine has travelled the world, giving global fine-dining pioneers a run for their money. To validate this, two Indian restaurants have earned a spot on the 50 Best Restaurants 2026 List. Voted by a panel of 1,000 food writers, critics, chefs, and voters who have dined at the restaurant within the previous 18 months, the Indian restaurants, Masque and Naar, have carved out their places among the global elite eateries.
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Masque, Mumbai
The Mumbai-based restaurant, known for its contemporary Indian cooking is ranked 26th position on the global top 50 list. Nestled in one of the city’s old textile mills, the eatery is led by chef Varun Totlani and entrepreneur duo Aditi and Aditya Dugar. Since its opening in 2016, the restaurant has been famous for its produce-led tasting menus and seasonal ingredients that are derived from the culinary traditions across the country.
This is not the first time the restaurant has received global recognition. In 2020, Masque earned the American Express One To Watch Award, while in 20221, it entered Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list and has since been a regular fixture in the regional rankings. Last year, it was ranked at No.68 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants extended 51–100 list.
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NAAR, Kasauli
Set in the hills of Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, NAAR stands at 49th position in the 50 Best Restaurants 2026 List. Led by chef Prateek Sadhu, the restaurant brings together Himalayan culture through regional ingredients and indigenous food culture. Furthermore, the restaurant changes its elaborate menu based on the six distinct seasons. Customers are reminded of the rich cultural heritage of the region through its menus.
This year, NAAR has also been recognised as the recipient of the 50 Best Restaurants' Sustainable Restaurant Award, recognizing its commitment to sustainability. It has also earned regional glory by featuring on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants extended list in 2025.
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Who Topped The List?
Asador Etxebarri, located in the tiny Basque village of Axpe, has topped the 50 Best Restaurants 2026 List. The restaurant captured the top spot with its cooking style that relied only on fire and smoke. Instead of using modern gadgets, chef Bittor Arginzoniz uses handmade grills and wood smoke to turn simple, everyday ingredients into pure magic.
The menu reminds us that some of the best lip-smacking dishes often come from simple roots. Some of the signature dishes include home-cured Cantabrian anchovies on toast, Palamós red prawns, a charred Galician beef chop, and smoked milk ice cream.
More About The 50 List
It is one of the most coveted rankings in the culinary world. It was established in 2002 to celebrate the exceptional dining spots from across the globe. The rankings are determined by votes from The 50 Best Restaurants Academy, comprising over 1,000 independent food writers, chefs, and culinary experts. Besides ranking top-tier eateries, it is the ultimate guide for any tourist to explore the modern food and dining experience across the world.