Indian Cuisine Shines: 4 Dishes Among “World’s Best” & Mumbai and Punjab Rank High in Global Honors
Indian cuisine continues to garner global admiration, with Taste Atlas placing India prominently in its 2024/25 World Food Awards. Four Indian dishes—Murgh Makhani, Hyderabadi Biryani, Chicken 65, and Keema—secured spots in the coveted “100 Best Dishes in the World” list, while Punjab and Mumbai stood out as key food regions and cities. Here’s a closer look at the honors and the global impact of Indian gastronomy.
4 Indian Dishes Among the Best in the World
Taste Atlas’s experiential food guide ranked Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken) and Hyderabadi Biryani at impressive 29th and 31st spots, respectively, each earning 4.52 out of 5 stars. Chicken 65 and Keema also made the list, securing the 97th and 100th positions with 4.44-star ratings.
Murgh Makhani’s creamy, spiced curry and Hyderabadi Biryani’s aromatic layers of rice and meat have become flag-bearers of Indian cuisine worldwide. The inclusion of Chicken 65, a spicy South Indian snack, and Keema, a minced meat delicacy, highlights India’s diverse culinary repertoire.
Punjab: 7th Best Food Region in the World
Punjab’s rich culinary heritage earned it the 7th spot on Taste Atlas’s “100 Best Food Regions in the World.” Celebrated dishes like Amritsari Kulcha, Tikka, Shahi Paneer, Tandoori Murgh, and Saag Paneer were highlighted as must-try items. Iconic restaurants such as Kesar da Dhaba and Bharawan Da Dhaba in Amritsar also received special mentions for preserving the authentic flavors of Punjabi cuisine.
Mumbai: Top 5 Global Food City
Mumbai ranked 5th in Taste Atlas’s list of “100 Best Food Cities in the World,” solidifying its reputation as a street food haven. The city’s culinary charm lies in its iconic street foods like Pav Bhaji, Vada Pav, and Dabeli. Known as the “City of Dreams,” Mumbai seamlessly blends affordability and flavor, making it a favorite for locals and international travelers alike.
Indian Cuisine: Globally Ranked 12th
Taste Atlas also ranked Indian cuisine as the 12th best globally, based on over 477,000 ratings across 15,478 food items. Iconic dishes such as Amritsari Kulcha, Butter Garlic Naan, and Hyderabadi Biryani were highlighted alongside legendary restaurants like Dum Pukht (New Delhi) and Ram Ashraya (Mumbai).
Global Context: Other Top Food Highlights
While Indian cuisine shone brightly, the global list was topped by Colombian Lechona, a festive dish featuring roasted pig stuffed with rice, peas, and spices. Pizza Napoletana (Italy), Picanha (Brazil), and Phanaeng Curry (Thailand) were other notable entries. Greece claimed the title for the best cuisine in the world, followed by Italy, Mexico, and Spain.
Celebrating India’s Culinary Diversity
India’s recognition in multiple categories—from dishes and cuisines to food regions and cities—reaffirms its culinary diversity and cultural richness. With dishes like Hyderabadi Biryani gaining international acclaim and regions like Punjab and cities like Mumbai earning global accolades, Indian food continues to captivate the world.
Click here to visit Taste Atlas website and see the detailed lists.
