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How India dominated global food scene in 2024

Indian restaurants earned Michelin stars, while dishes like Murgh Makhani and Hyderabadi Biryani gained global acclaim.

File phot of food / Pexels

2024 was the year of Indian cuisine. The taste of Indian food ruled the global food scene with its bold flavors, vibrant spices, and unstoppable creativity. 

Indian food didn’t just make an impression; it made history, winning prestigious awards, climbing global rankings, and capturing hearts across continents. From Michelin-starred fine dining to innovative local creations, Indian chefs and restaurants showcased the true essence of India’s culinary diversity. 

Indian cuisine made headlines by ranking 12th in TasteAtlas’s 2024/25 list of the ‘100 Best Cuisines in the World,’ ahead of countries like the United States, Peru, Brazil, Germany, South Korea, and Australia.

The iconic spice blend Garam Masala, rated 4.6/5, played a key role in this recognition, alongside beloved dishes like Murgh Makhani (29th) and Hyderabadi Biryani (31st) on the list of the world’s top 100 dishes.

With every bite, the palate told stories of tradition, innovation, and passion that resonated far beyond the kitchen. Here’s a delicious dive into the highlights of Indian culinary achievements this year:

Michelin Stars for Indian Restaurants

Jamavar Doha’s Michelin Star victory
Under the leadership of Chef Surender Mohan, Jamavar Doha earned a Michelin star at the inaugural Michelin Guide ceremony in Doha. This restaurant, part of the LSL Capital group led by Dinesh and Samyukta Nair, offers a diverse representation of Indian cuisines.

Musaafer in Texas receives its first Michelin Star
Houston’s Musaafer dazzled the culinary world with its Michelin star win. Led by Chef Mayank Istwal, the restaurant reflects a journey through India’s regional cuisines and is a testament to the founders Shammi and Mithu Malik’s dedication to authentic Indian flavors.

File phot of food / Pexels

Double Michelin Stars for UK’s Indian restaurants
Gymkhana (London) and Opheem (Birmingham) earned their second Michelin star, reaffirming their global standing. Gymkhana’s colonial-inspired charm and Opheem’s innovative British-Indian fusion under Chef Aktar Islam continue to set benchmarks in fine dining.

Consistency in excellence: Retained Michelin Stars
Several Indian restaurants across the globe retained their Michelin stars, including Semma (New York), Rania (Washington, DC), Indienne (Chicago), and Gaa (Bangkok). Dubai’s Tresind Studio and Avatara and London’s Veeraswamy, Benares, and others also maintained their coveted stars.

Indian icons in global rankings

World’s 50 Best Restaurants

Bangkok’s Gaggan, led by Chef Gaggan Anand, ranked 9th globally and was named Asia’s best restaurant. Tresind Studio (Dubai), under Chef Himanshu Saini, secured the 13th spot and retained its title as the Best Restaurant in the Middle East.

Asia’s 100 Best Restaurants
India’s Masque (Mumbai), Indian Accent (New Delhi), and Avartana (Chennai) made it to Asia’s top 50. Additional mentions in the extended list included The Bombay Canteen, Comorin, and Dum Pukht.

Asia’s Best Bars
ZLB23 at The Leela Palace Bengaluru emerged as India’s best bar, ranking 40th in Asia. Other Indian bars, including Sidecar (New Delhi) and The Bombay Canteen (Mumbai), were also featured on the extended list.

Innovations and Accolades

Chef Vikas Khanna’s renowned New York restaurant, Bungalow, clinched the coveted Michelin "Bib Gourmand" award in 2024, recognizing its exceptional food and outstanding value. The restaurant also garnered critical acclaim from prestigious outlets like The New York Times.

In 2024, Bungalow became a hotspot for A-list celebrities, with guests such as Jeff Bezos, Jenna Fischer, Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Nick Jonas gracing its tables. Chef Khanna also welcomed Hollywood star Anne Hathaway, whose visit held deep personal significance, reminding him of his late sister, Radhika Khanna.
 

Chef Vikas Khanna / Instagram post

TIME Magazine’s 'World’s Greatest Places'
Manam Chocolate (Hyderabad) and Naar (Himachal Pradesh) were named among TIME’s 'World’s Greatest Places' for their unique approaches to showcasing Indian ingredients and flavors.

Taste Atlas Awards Spotlight Indian Cuisine
Indian cuisine ranked 12th globally in the Taste Atlas Awards. Punjab was named the 7th best food region, and Mumbai secured the 5th spot as a top food city. Iconic dishes like Hyderabadi Biryani and Murgh Makhani also received acclaim.

Historic win for Indian chocolate

Kerala-based chocolate brand Paul and Mike etched its name in history by becoming the first Indian brand to win Gold at the prestigious International Chocolate Awards. Their winning creation, Milk Chocolate Coated Salted Capers, topped the category of Milk Chocolate Enrobed Whole Fruit. 

This innovative treat was crafted using capers and salt sourced from Tuticorin on India’s eastern coast, paired with premium cacao harvested from the lush Western Ghats. The achievement highlights Paul and Mike's dedication to quality and creativity and showcases the immense potential of Indian cacao on the global stage.

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