Year Roundup 2025: From UNESCO Recognition to Global Rankings, India's 12 Greatest Food Achievements of 2025

From UNESCO accolades to international bread rankings, 2025 proved to be an extraordinary year for Indian cuisine on the global stage. The nation's culinary prowess garnered unprecedented recognition, with cities earning gastronomy honours, restaurants climbing prestigious lists, and traditional dishes captivating international audiences. Here are the 12 most significant achievements that defined India's remarkable food year.

Lucknow Receives UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy Status

On October 31, 2025, Lucknow officially joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Gastronomy, becoming only India's second city to receive this prestigious designation after Hyderabad. The recognition honoured the Uttar Pradesh capital's rich Awadhi culinary heritage, celebrated for its kebabs, biryanis, kormas, and sheermal. This UNESCO status acknowledges Lucknow's centuries-old culinary traditions and the city's commitment to preserving and promoting its gastronomic culture. The designation is expected to significantly boost culinary tourism, with Lucknow having already welcomed over 7 million visitors in the first half of 2025 alone.

Butter Garlic Naan Crowned World's Best Bread

In March 2025, TasteAtlas released its definitive list of the world's 100 best breads, and Indian butter garlic naan claimed the coveted top spot with an impressive rating of 4.7 out of 5. This golden, butter-brushed flatbread baked in traditional tandoor ovens beat competition from across the globe to secure the number one position. The achievement brought international attention to India's diverse bread-making traditions and the ancient tandoor cooking technique that has been perfected over centuries. The recognition sparked renewed global interest in Indian flatbreads and their versatile culinary applications.

Indian Chefs Shine at Best Chef Awards 2025 in Milan

At The Best Chef Awards 2025 held in Milan on October 1-2, Indian culinary talent achieved remarkable recognition on the global stage. Chef Himanshu Saini of Trèsind Studio, Dubai, secured 3rd place overall, making him one of the few Indian chefs to reach the top three. Chef Prateek Sadhu of Naar in Kasauli was named "Best New Entry." Several Indian chefs earned prestigious "Knife Recognition": Johnson Ebenezer of Farmlore, Bengaluru, and Shantanu Mehrotra of Indian Accent, Delhi, received Two Knives ("World Class"), whilst nine others including Varun Totlani of Masque and Hussain Shahzad of Papa's earned One Knife ("Excellent"), demonstrating India's growing influence in global fine dining.

India Announces 100% FDI Liberalisation in Food & Beverage Sector

At the start of 2025, India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, announced full foreign direct investment liberalisation in the food and beverage industry. Previously, foreign investment in food processing was permitted, but the new policy opened doors for 100% ownership in dairy, beverages, ready-to-eat foods, and speciality ingredients. This transformative policy shift positions India as a global hub for processed food and beverages, with ambitions to double food exports to $100 billion by 2030. The move reflects India's commitment to enhancing infrastructure, modernising the sector, and attracting international investment to unlock the industry's full potential.

Masque Mumbai Named India's Best Restaurant for Third Consecutive Year

Masque in Mumbai achieved a historic feat by being crowned India's Best Restaurant for the third year running at Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2025, held in Seoul on 25th March. The restaurant, ranked 19th overall in Asia, continued to impress with its innovative tasting menus that showcase India's wealth of local ingredients. Founded by self-taught entrepreneur Aditi Dugar and helmed by Head Chef Varun Totlani, Masque operates from a stylish former textile mill and offers a 15-course tasting menu that extracts maximum flavour from seasonal, locally sourced produce through creative, modern techniques.

Indian Accent Delhi Maintains Position in Asia's Top 50

Indian Accent in Delhi, helmed by Executive Chef Shantanu Mehrotra and restaurateur Rohit Khattar, secured the 46th spot in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2025. The restaurant has consistently impressed judges with its winning combination of creative, modern dishes and warm hospitality. Known for reimagining classic Indian dishes with contemporary flair—such as their acclaimed modern take on papdi chaat—Indian Accent represents India's growing sophistication in fine dining. The restaurant's six-course chef's tasting menu, paired with wines from India and internationally, demonstrates the evolution of Indian cuisine on the global stage.

Nine Indian Restaurants Feature in Asia's Top 100

A record nine Indian restaurants secured positions in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list (including the extended 51-100 rankings), marking India's strongest showing yet. Beyond Masque and Indian Accent in the top 50, seven establishments featured in the extended list: Naar in Kasauli (66th), Farmlore in Bengaluru (68th), Americano in Mumbai (71st), Inja in New Delhi (87th), The Table in Mumbai (88th), Dum Pukht in New Delhi (89th), and The Bombay Canteen in Mumbai (91st). This unprecedented representation highlighted the depth and dynamism of India's evolving fine dining landscape.

Farmlore Bengaluru Receives "One To Watch" Award

Farmlore in Bengaluru, run by Chef Johnson Ebenezer, received the prestigious "One To Watch" award at Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 ceremony. This special recognition identifies rising stars in the Asian culinary scene and spotlights restaurants demonstrating exceptional potential. Farmlore's achievement brought attention to Bengaluru's burgeoning food scene and the growing importance of farm-to-table dining in India. The restaurant's focus on hyperlocal ingredients and sustainable practices resonated with judges, positioning it as a leader in India's next generation of innovative dining establishments.

Mumbai Ranked 5th Best Food City Globally

In a remarkable achievement, Mumbai secured the 5th position in TasteAtlas' 100 Best Food Cities 2025-26 list, making it the highest-ranked Indian city globally. This prestigious ranking wasn't based on fine dining or Michelin ambitions but rather celebrated Mumbai's democratic street food culture and cosmopolitan dining scene. From bhel puri and pav bhaji to vada pav, ragda pattice, and modak, Mumbai's food reflects the city's fast-paced, emotional, and chaotic character. The recognition acknowledged that Mumbai feeds everyone—regardless of economic background—with authentic, memorable flavours that define the city's culinary identity.

India Ranks 13th in TasteAtlas Best Cuisines List

In December 2025, TasteAtlas announced its rankings of the world's 100 best cuisines, and Indian cuisine secured an impressive 13th position with a score of 4.43 out of 5, based on 590,228 valid ratings for nearly 19,000 dishes worldwide. This ranking placed Indian cuisine ahead of renowned culinary traditions from Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. The achievement recognised India's diverse regional flavours, complex spice blends, and time-honoured cooking techniques. Standout dishes including butter garlic naan, Amritsari kulcha, garam masala, parotta, and muthia were highlighted as must-try specialities contributing to India's high placement, showcasing the country's culinary excellence on the global stage.

World Food India 2025 Secures Record Rs 1.02 Lakh Crore Investment

World Food India 2025, organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, concluded in September with investment commitments worth Rs 1,02,046.89 crore—marking one of the largest investment announcements in India's food processing sector. Over the four-day event held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, 26 leading domestic and international companies including Reliance, Coca-Cola, Amul, Nestlé, and Tata Consumer Products signed Memoranda of Understanding. These investments are projected to generate direct employment for over 64,000 people and create indirect opportunities for more than 10 lakh individuals, reinforcing India's position as a global hub for food processing across multiple states and diverse segments.

Two Iconic Indian Hotels Receive Three MICHELIN Keys

On November 27, 2025, the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Global MICHELIN Keys Selection recognised 36 exceptional Indian hotel properties, with two achieving the highest distinction of Three MICHELIN Keys: The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur and The Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra. This first-ever MICHELIN Keys rating for India established the nation as a formidable presence on the global luxury hospitality stage. The recognition extended beyond accommodation to acknowledge the exceptional dining experiences offered at these properties, cementing India's reputation for world-class hospitality and culinary excellence in luxury hotel settings.

The year 2025 will be remembered as a watershed moment for Indian cuisine, with achievements spanning UNESCO recognition, international rankings, restaurant awards, and cultural celebrations. From the ancient traditions of Awadhi cuisine in Lucknow to the innovative tasting menus of Mumbai, from record-breaking food processing investments to India's growing presence on prestigious global lists, the nation's culinary landscape demonstrated its extraordinary diversity and enduring appeal.