Michelin stars are a prestigious award system. It is used by the Michelin Guide to rate restaurants based on their quality, consistency, and culinary excellence. They are considered one of the most coveted accolades in the culinary world. A Michelin star is a symbol of outstanding dining, and it indicates that a restaurant offers high-quality ingredients, consistent excellence as well as innovative cuisine. High quality means fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. Expert preparation where dishes are skillfully cooked and presented with attention to detail.
The Michelin Guide awards stars on a scale of one to three. The ranking reflects the influence of a restaurant’s reputation and business that helps attract diners from different parts of the globe.
- One star: Exceptional cuisine
- Two stars: excellent cuisine
- Three stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey
Well, to talk about India, the country officially does not have Michelin-starred restaurants, as the Michelin guide has yet to cover this landmark. But, there are restaurants that are known for their extraordinary cuisine, ambiance, and service. The article has explored the top 10 restaurants run by Michelin-starred chefs or featured in other prestigious international food guides. Lose your belts to experience India’s best culinary food offerings in these restaurants when visiting India or thinking of experiencing the Zaika of Indian food.
1. Indian Accent (New Delhi)
Cuisine: Modern Indian
The Chef of Indian Accent, Manish Mehrotra, redefines traditional flavors with contemporary techniques. It creates a globally recognized fine dining experience. This restaurant, situated in New Delhi, serves famous, tasty food, including Kashmiri Morels, Duck khurchan, and achaar pork ribs, within the price range of 4,000 to 8,000 per person. Apart from its Michelin star services, the restaurant has been featured on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list a couple of times. It was also tagged as the best restaurant in India for several years in a row.
2. Megu (New Delhi)
Cuisine: Japanese
Megu restaurant is situated in New Delhi, and it is known for its authentic Japanese fare. The uniqueness of this restaurant lies in combining traditional ingredients with modern flair. The interior décor complements the sophisticated dining experience. Special dishes are like salmon tartare, Megu original crispy asparagus, and wagyu beef, pricing 5,000 to 7,000 for an individual. Located in The Leela Palace, the restaurant is part of a global brand.
3. Ziya (Mumbai)
Cuisine: Indian contemporary
Ziya restaurant is located in the Oberoi Hotels and is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia. Its specialty is to serve innovative Indian cuisine with a global touch. Famous signature dishes of the restaurant are tandoori smoked chicken, khasta tori, and truffle naan. The price ranges of these foods are also very affordable, ranging from 4,500 to 6,500 per person. Further, the restaurant has been featured in top culinary guides and is often recognized as one of the best restaurants in Mumbai for Indian fusion cuisine.
4. Hakkasan (Mumbai)
Cuisine: Cantonese
Hakkasan is a London-origin Cantonese fine dining chain. This restaurant is known for its dim sum and modern Chinese dishes that provide a luxurious dining experience. Some of the signature dishes of Hakkasan are dim-sum platters, peking duck, and jasmine teak smoked ribs. The approximate bills could be 4,000 to 7,000 for each individual. The restaurant has been a part of the Michelin-starred Hakkasan Group from London and has received multiple awards, including the Best Cantonese Fine Dining in India.
5. Yauatcha (Mumbai, Bengaluru)
Cuisine: Modern Cantonese
Yauatcha, a Chinese restaurant established by Alan Yau in 2024 in areas like Broadwick Street, Soho, London, England, special for dim sum fooding. The restaurant opened a branch in Mumbai in 2011 and in Bengaluru in 2013. It is famous for its dim sum and elegant dishes. Yauatcha provides a vibrant contemporary ambiance with a focus on authenticity. Other special dishes are char siu bun and crispy prawn Cheung fun. It was awarded Times Food Guide’s Chinese restaurant in Mumbai and Bengaluru. It is also a part of the Hakkasan Group and is known for managing Michelin-level standards.
6. Akira Back (New Delhi)
Cuisine: Japanese with Korean influences
Akira Back is located in the JW Marriott, where this restaurant offers Chef Akira Back’s unique take on Japanese cuisine, which merges with Korean flavors. Akira Back’s famous dishes are Tuna and Black. The restaurant can serve you the best food experience just within the 3,500 to 6,500 price range. It was founded by the Michelin chef Akira back and is known for its fusion of Japanese.
7. Wasabi by Morimoto (Mumbai)
Cuisine: Japanese
Wasabi By Morimoto is a Taj Mahal Palace restaurant that is helmed by chef Masaharu Morimoto. The restaurant provides a luxurious, authentic Japanese dining experience that features sushi and teppanyaki. Wasabi’s special dishes are toro tartare, black cod miso, and wasabi creme brulee. This particular restaurant is named among Asia’s best Restaurants and is known for delivering high-end Japanese fare with premium ingredients, ranging from approximately 6,000 to 10,000.
8. Le Cirque (New Delhi)
Cuisine: French-Italian
Le Cirque is situated in the Leela Palace, where it blends French and Italian cuisines with a modern touch. The restaurant offers both a formal dining setting as well as world class service. Some of its best dishes are truffle risotto, lobster ravioli, and cote de boeuf. The price differs somewhere between 5,000 and 8,000 for a person. It is regularly featured in lop luxury dining guides and known for its fusion.
9. Villa Maya (Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram)
Cuisine: global fusion with a focus on Kerala cuisine
Villa Maya is located in Trivandrum. And it is set in a beautifully restored 18th-century Dutch manor, Villa Maya, that provides a mixture of international and traditional Kerala dishes in an elegant setting. The restaurant has been very popular among populations because of its food serving, including lobster mappas, Kerala-style duck roast, and tenderloin steak. A person might experience the Zaika only around 2,500 to 4,000.
10. The Taj Mahal Palace (Mumbai)
 Cuisine: Multiple
The hotel has been hosted by a number of world-class restaurants, including the Golden Gradon, Shamiana, and Souk. It offers gourmet experiences which range from Chinese and Mediterranean to Indian cuisines. The billing process could vary somewhat from 3,000 to 7,000 for a person. The Taj Mahal Palace is home to some of the most iconic restaurants in India, including Golden Gradon and Wasabi by Morimoto.
FAQ
1. What is a Michelin star, and how does it impact a restaurant’s reputation?Â
Michelin star is a prestigious award given to restaurants for exceptional cuisine, based on quality, consistency, and culinary excellence. Earning a Michelin star boosts a restaurant’s global reputation and attracts diners worldwide.
2. Are there any Michelin-starred restaurants in India?Â
While India does not have officially Michelin-starred restaurants yet, several restaurants are run by Michelin-starred chefs or featured in international food guides for their outstanding cuisine and service.
3. What is the price range for dining at Indian Accent in New Delhi?Â
Dining at Indian Accent typically costs between ₹4,000 and ₹8,000 per person, offering a unique modern Indian cuisine experience.
4. What type of cuisine is served at Megu in New Delhi?Â
Megu in New Delhi serves authentic Japanese cuisine, featuring dishes like salmon tartare and wagyu beef, with a price range of ₹5,000 to ₹7,000 per person.
5. Who is the Michelin-starred chef behind Ziya in Mumbai?Â
Ziya in Mumbai is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia, known for blending innovative Indian cuisine with a global touch.
6. What makes Hakkasan in Mumbai unique?Â
Hakkasan in Mumbai is part of the Michelin-starred Hakkasan Group from London, known for its luxurious Cantonese fine dining experience and signature dim sum platters.
7. Is Yauatcha present in multiple cities in India?Â
Yes, Yauatcha, a modern Cantonese restaurant, has branches in both Mumbai and Bengaluru, offering signature dishes like dim sum and crispy prawn Cheung fun.
8. What kind of fusion cuisine does Akira Back in New Delhi offer?Â
Akira Back in New Delhi offers a fusion of Japanese and Korean influences, created by Michelin-starred chef Akira Back, with dishes like Tuna and Black.
9. What are some popular dishes at Wasabi by Morimoto in Mumbai?Â
Wasabi by Morimoto, located at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, is known for premium Japanese dishes like toro tartare, black cod miso, and wasabi crème brûlée.
10. What is the unique aspect of Villa Maya in Trivandrum?Â
Villa Maya offers a fusion of international and traditional Kerala dishes in an elegant setting, housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century Dutch manor.
