With Dishoom UK leading the way, India’s culinary landscape has never shone brighter

If you thought luxury dining was all white tablecloths, French sauces and caviar canapés — think again. The world’s most sophisticated palates are now looking east, where Indian cuisine is getting a bold, flavourful makeover. With its intricate spices, layered traditions and unapologetic richness, Indian food is no longer reserved for late-night cravings or casual curry houses. It’s being plated with precision, served in sculptural interiors, and celebrated on menus that read like edible epics.

Nowhere is this shift more evident than in LVMH’s private equity arm L Catterton, investing in London’s beloved spot, Dishoom, valuing the Indian chain at £300 million. This move cements Indian cuisine’s growing worldwide empire after Gaggan Anand’s famous namesake Indian restaurant, Gaggan, in Bangkok, collaborated with Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) for a restaurant at LV The Place in the city. 

India’s culinary moment is now, and each more gastronomical than the last. These restaurants are leading the Indian culinary revolution, one dish at a time, waiting for you to experience.

5 RESTAURANTS PUTTING INDIAN CUISINE ON THE WORLD MAP

1. Dishoom, Across the UK

It would be wrong not to begin this list with the restaurant in question itself. The modern-day legend, Dishoom, captures the spirit of Bombay’s Irani cafés, offering more than just food — it’s an immersive cultural experience. With its nostalgic yet vibrant ambience, Dishoom serves up authentic Indian flavours that feel both comforting and excitingly fresh. It’s the perfect blend of history and heart, making Indian dining approachable and aspirational across the UK, that continuously bursts into flavours. 

Must-Try: The creamy, comforting Chicken Ruby — a buttery curry packed with warming spices; and the rich, slow-cooked Black Daal, a signature dish that’s simply unforgettable.

2. Gaggan, Bangkok

Dining at Gaggan is like stepping into a theatrical dream. Known for shaking up the Michelin world with his emoji-only menus and edible experiments, Chef Gaggan has turned molecular Indian cuisine into a global spectacle. Expect playful surprises, explosive flavours, and a tasting menu that has foodies flying to Bangkok just for a seat.

Must-Try: The legendary “Yoghurt Explosion,” a delightful burst of spiced yoghurt; truffle-infused dhokla foam that melts on the tongue; and the chilled chai soup — a stunning reinvention of a beloved street classic.

3. Indian Accent, New Delhi, Mumbai and New York

Chef Manish Mehrotra’s Indian Accent has quietly transformed Indian dining into an art form right in front of our eyes. With inventive dishes like truffle-stuffed kulchas and sweet pickle ribs, it masterfully blends bold tradition with modern flair. Every plate tells a story — familiar yet refreshingly new — making Indian Accent a true culinary treasure of our times. 

Must-Try: Blue Cheese Naan — a daring fusion of classic Indian bread with the rich, tangy depth of blue cheese and the perfect ending with the famous Daulat ki Chaat, a fluffy, cloud-like milk dessert that melts in the mouth, begging you for more. 

4. The Bungalow, New York

Not your typical Indian restaurant, and it tries to be just that. It’s soft, soberly sunlit, but still deeply rooted in tradition. This frames the backdrop of Chef Vikas Khanna’s restaurant, The Bungalow. The menu is reimagined from the chef’s memories of a childhood in India but refined to give an international touch. It’s not surprising, hence, to find regulars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Priyanka Chopra, among other celebrities, tucked in the corners of this restaurant to enjoy a meal. You can’t blame them; it’s where ancient spices evoke a sense of belonging, a home, that you can always come back to. 

Must-Try: Yoghurt Kebabs — crisp kataifi-wrapped fried yoghurt with beetroot raita and spicy mango coulis.

5. Masque, Mumbai

What Masque is doing feels important in India’s culinary landscape. It’s not just redefining luxury — it’s reshaping responsibility. At the heart of its ever-evolving 10-course tasting menu are seasonal, hyper-local ingredients sourced from across India, many of them from unknown or underrepresented regions. Led by Chef Varun Totlani with restaurateur Aditi Dugar spearheading the brand, Masque isn’t just serving fine food — it’s telling stories of soil, season, and sustainability. Every plate is a quiet nod to the farmers, foragers, and forgotten flavours of India. This is fine dining rooted in purpose.

Must-Try: The spice-laced Lamb Neck, perfectly paired with blackened onions and sunchokes, and the crisp Lady Fish, served family-style — elegant, earthy, and unforgettable.

Indian luxury cuisine today is less about silver spoons, more about stories of substance, exploding with colour, comfort and quiet confidence. Fine dining is finally evolving into cuisine into an emotive experience, and India is at the heart of it all. 

Text by Sugandha  Banerjee

Edited by Sabrina Mathews