World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026: Masque And Naar Put India Back On The List After Nearly Two Decades

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list has just been revealed, and while it is an impressive lineup, there is something that makes this year's ranking even more exciting. Two restaurants from India have made the cut after a gap of nearly two decades. In many ways, this is a huge achievement and a testament to the growing recognition that India's culinary scene deserves. Masque in Mumbai and Naar, a farm-to-table restaurant in Kasauli, have made this possible. The other restaurant that previously made it to this list was all the way back in 2004, that was Bukhara at the ITC Maurya in New Delhi.

Neither of these restaurants is unfamiliar to anyone who takes a keen interest in food. Both are highly regarded and have received considerable recognition within India as well. Naar recently secured the No. 1 position at the Condé Nast Traveller x District Top Restaurant Awards 2026. Here's everything you need to know about these remarkable restaurants and what to try when you visit them.

Masque, Mumbai

Coming in at an impressive No. 26 as a new entry, Masque has already earned several accolades. Led by head chef Varun Totlani, the restaurant offers a ten-course tasting menu where ingredients take centre stage. The menu caters to both vegetarians and meat lovers, with dishes such as lamb brain paniyaram and turmeric scampi.

The culinary approach at Masque involves reimagining traditional Indian favourites and presenting familiar flavours through a contemporary lens. The restaurant also houses Paradox, its much-talked-about cocktail bar, which is notoriously difficult to secure a reservation at. If you're looking to experience familiar classics such as makki mathri and Kashmiri chilli in an entirely new way, Masque might just be the place for you.

Must-order dishes: DIY Barramundi Pani Puri, Andaman Bug/Lobster, Lamb Rezala/Lamb Rala and Kalari Kulcha.

Price: The 10-course tasting menu is priced at ₹9,999 per person.

Naar, Kasuali

Founded by chef Prateek Sadhu, Naar, meaning ‘fire’ in Kashmiri, is putting Himalayan cuisine firmly in the spotlight. Ranked No. 30 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026, the restaurant is set amidst mountains and pine forests, drawing inspiration from the region’s natural landscape and its six distinct seasons. Its menu revolves around locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and celebrates the culinary diversity of Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Through a 14 to 15-course tasting experience, Naar brings traditional Himalayan flavours to the forefront, combining regional ingredients and cooking techniques with a contemporary approach.

Must order dishes: Sunderkala Wheat Noodles with Lamb Guma & Timuru Broth: Strawberry & Monkey Fruit Khaki:

Price: 15,000 (₹7,500 per person) for the food-only tasting menu

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026: Full List

1. Asador Etxebarri – Atxondo, Spain

2. Gaggan – Bangkok, Thailand

3. Alchemist – Copenhagen, Denmark

4. Quintonil – Mexico City, Mexico

5. Wing – Hong Kong

6. The Chairman – Hong Kong

7. Kjolle – Lima, Peru

8. Kadeau – Copenhagen, Denmark

9. DiverXO – Madrid, Spain

10. Plénitude – Paris, France

11. Atomix – New York, USA

12. Sorn – Bangkok, Thailand

13. Mérito – Lima, Peru

14. Sühring – Bangkok, Thailand

15. Odette – Singapore

16. Tuju – São Paulo, Brazil

17. Mingles – Seoul, South Korea

18. Nusara – Bangkok, Thailand

19. Jan – Munich, Germany

20. Piazza Duomo – Alba, Italy

21. Meet the Bund – Shanghai, China

22. Boragó – Santiago, Chile

23. Vyn – Skillinge, Sweden

24. Al Gatto Verde – Modena, Italy

25. Lasai – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

26. Masque – Mumbai, India

27. Reale – Castel di Sangro, Italy

28. Trèsind Studio – Dubai, UAE

29. Enigma – Barcelona, Spain

30. Steirereck – Vienna, Austria

31. Celele – Cartagena, Colombia

32. Potong – Bangkok, Thailand

33. Elkano – Getaria, Spain

34. Le Coquillage – Saint-Méloir-des-Ondes, France

35. La Colombe – Cape Town, South Africa

36. Ru Yuan – Hangzhou, China

37. Nuema – Quito, Ecuador

38. Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler – Brunico, Italy

39. Schloss Schauenstein – Fürstenau, Switzerland

40. Jordnær – Copenhagen, Denmark

41. Onjium – Seoul, South Korea

42. Bozar – Brussels, Belgium

43. Le Calandre – Rubano, Italy

44. Don Julio – Buenos Aires, Argentina

45. Mayta – Lima, Peru

46. El Chato – Bogotá, Colombia

47. Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse – Monte Carlo, Monaco

48. Ikoyi – London, UK

49. Naar – Kasauli, India

50. Saint Peter – Sydney, Australia