Are These The Best Restaurants Found Across India?

It’s not hard to find a place to eat when you’re in India. There are hundreds of thousands of restaurants in the country, plenty of which specialize in local cuisine that’s a bit more authentic than what you might find at home. However, there are also plenty of spots that will treat you to dishes not necessarily native to India or that offer a local take on foreign delicacies.

With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down where to stop for a meal. Thankfully, Condé Nast Traveller India’s Top Restaurant Awards give us an idea of which places are most worth our time during a trip to this part of Asia. Are these the best restaurants found across India? They just might be.

Avartana in Chennai is an experience for virtually all of your senses

Something that stands out with a lot of the best restaurants in India is their ability to celebrate both tradition and innovation. It’s something that’s fully on display at Avartana in Chennai, where South Indian food is created using ingredients and flavors from the Southern peninsula. You can get lost in dishes like infused tomato rasam, lamb brain fritters, and fennel panna cotta as you bask in the creative decor of the place. From banana flower-shaped lights to a mother-of-pearl crafted mural, this place is here to excite as many of your senses as possible.

Masque in Mumbai sources and transforms local ingredients for bold flavors

We love a restaurant that sources local ingredients, and that’s something Masque in Mumbai definitely does. They’re not afraid to search for such ingredients, collecting food from across the country to delight people’s taste buds. You might not realize exactly what it is that you’re eating, though, given how exceptional the team here is at creating innovative dishes that really transform their ingredients. You can see for yourself how skilled they are with this if you try the ten-course seasonal chef’s tasting menus, which may include delights like ponkh bhel with Goan seaweed or pandi curry with jackfruit sausage.

The Bombay Canteen in Mumbai highlights the culinary skills of Hussain Shahzad

Another spot worth visiting in Mumbai is the Bombay Canteen, which comes courtesy of chef Hussain Shahzad. A celebrator of marrying innovation with tradition, he stems from New York’s Eleven Madison Park and keeps his menu exciting by switching it up each season. If you can, try out dishes like the ghee roast chicken seekh and the eggs Kejriwal to really get a taste of what Shahzad does best. It’s also worth trying some of the delights from the bar menu, which offers just as much innovation and tradition as the food that’s available.

Bomras in Goa is as good as it was before it moved

Bomras has gone through quite some changes over the years. Now located in Anjuna, Goa, it used to be a Candolim spot that constantly had customers raving about the food on offer. Thankfully, despite the move and the loss of most of the original staff, this spot is still considered one of the best in India. Treats like the Kachin chicken and the tiger prawn ceviche prove that chef Bawmra Jap has definitely still got it. Utilizing influences from Burmese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines, this is an Asian sensation you won’t want to miss.

Sienna Store & Café in Kolkata is all about celebrating what’s local

If you head to Kolkata, somewhere that’s definitely worth visiting is Sienna Store & Café. Here, creations from the local markets of Bengal are the focus, as regional ingredients are used to show off a variety of wonderful dishes. We’re taking things like ramen bowls with heki shaak, Bhetki fish and paccheri pasta, and doodh cha caramel custard. When you’re not busy sampling these delights, you can enjoy the collection of jewelry, soaps, ceramics, and more available in the store. Much like with the cafe, there’s an emphasis on the local culture here that is well worth your time and attention.

Indian Accent in New Delhi offers new takes on classic Indian dishes

Indian Accent has frequently topped the publication’s Top Restaurants in India list, so that’s already a great indicator of what you can expect from this place. The spot is wonderful at taking classic Indian dishes and giving them a twist, using global techniques and influences to reinvent them. If you really want to give your stomach a treat, trying the six-course Chef’s Tasting menu is an absolute must. Dishes like black dairy dal and blue cheese kulcha will melt in your mouth and have you wanting to come back here day after day.

Are these the best restaurants found across India? Considering how many thousands there are on offer, it goes without saying that these are far from the only places worth visiting. However, if you want a truly exceptional dining experience while you’re in the country, a stop at one of these spots would be a good idea.