Awards Categories

Indian Restaurant Awards are global awards whose prime focus is to create recognition for the food & beverage industry. These are the only registered awards in the country. By nominationing for Indian Restaurant Awards , you have an opportunity to showcase your excellence and achievements in the F&B Industry. It allows brands and Restaurateurs to gain recognition, enhance brand reputation, and stand out against competition. The awards celebrate your hard work, innovation and contribution to the food industry.

Indian Restaurant Awards 2026

• Global Indian Restaurant Chain of the Year Recognizes a restaurant chains that demonstrates consistent excellence across multiple locations through high-quality food, exceptional service, innovative offerings, and a strong brand presence, setting the benchmark for the industry. The establishment should have operations in atleast 3 countries.
• Global Indian Restaurant of the Year - Standalone Recognizes an Indian restaurant delivering exceptional culinary excellence, innovative dining experiences, and impeccable service on a global scale, setting benchmarks in quality, consistency, and creativity while elevating the international presence of Indian cuisine.
• Barbeque Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a restaurant that excels in preparing and serving exceptional barbeque, showcasing mastery over flavors, grilling techniques, and high-quality ingredients, while providing an outstanding dining experience for barbeque enthusiasts.
• Debutant Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a newly opened restaurant that has quickly distinguished itself through exceptional cuisine, innovative concepts, outstanding service, and a memorable dining experience, making a remarkable first impression on the culinary scene. The restaurant outlet must have officially commenced operations within the past 12 months as on December 31, 2025
• Family Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a restaurant that excels in creating a welcoming and enjoyable dining experience for families, offering diverse, high-quality menu options, attentive service, and a comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere. The restaurant should be able to accomodate approximately 40 to 50 customers at a time.
• Chef led Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a restaurant driven by the vision and creativity of a distinguished chef, where culinary artistry, innovation, and personal passion shape an exceptional dining experience that sets new standards of excellence. The chef should have minimum 5 years of industry experience as on December 31, 2025.
• Fine Dine Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a restaurant that exemplifies the essence of fine dining through exceptional culinary artistry, impeccable service, elegant ambiance, and a world-class dining experience that sets the highest standard of excellence.
• Fine Dine Restaurant in a Hotel Recognizes a hotel-based restaurant that embodies the pinnacle of fine dining through exceptional cuisine, refined service, luxurious ambiance, and an unforgettable culinary experience, establishing itself as a benchmark of excellence within the hospitality industry. The restaurant should be located within the premises of a hotel property.
• Vegan Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a restaurant that excels in offering nutritious and wholesome vegan cuisine, including diet-specific options such as vegan, keto, or gluten-free, using high-quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation, while delivering delicious flavors, excellent service, and a memorable dining experience that promotes healthy living.
• Quick Service Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a quick service restaurant, whether a standalone outlet or a chain, that excels in delivering high-quality food with speed, consistency, affordability, and customer convenience, while maintaining strong service standards and overall value. The establishment should have atleast 4 operational outlets globally or within a country outside India.
• Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a restaurant that excels in delivering exceptional vegetarian cuisine, offering innovative menus, high-quality ingredients, and outstanding service, while promoting a wholesome and memorable dining experience.
• All Day Dining Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a restaurant that excels in offering diverse, high-quality menus throughout the day and night, combining exceptional food, attentive service, and a welcoming atmosphere to deliver a consistently 24-hour outstanding dining experience.
• Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a restaurant that delivers an outstanding casual dining experience by combining delicious food, friendly service, inviting ambiance, and excellent value, making it a preferred choice for relaxed and enjoyable meals.
• Indian Multi-Cuisine Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a restaurant that excels in offering a diverse range of cuisines with consistently high-quality food, innovative menu options, and outstanding service, providing guests with a memorable and versatile dining experience of India. The restaurant should serve atleast 3 or more different cuisines.
• North Indian Cuisine Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a restaurant that excels in preserving and presenting the authentic flavors, traditional recipes, and culinary heritage of North India, delivering an exceptional dining experience through high-quality ingredients, expert preparation, and genuine cultural authenticity.
• South Indian Cuisine Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a restaurant that excels in preserving and presenting the authentic flavors, traditional recipes, and culinary heritage of South India, delivering an exceptional dining experience through quality ingredients, expert preparation, and genuine cultural representation.
• West Indian Cuisine Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a restaurant that excels in preserving and presenting the authentic flavors, traditional recipes, and culinary heritage of West India, delivering an exceptional dining experience through quality ingredients, expert preparation, and genuine cultural representation.
• Fusion Cuisine Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a restaurant that excels in combining two or more cuisines with consistently high-quality food, inventive menu curation, and exceptional service, delivering a memorable, multi-dimensional dining experience that reflects India’s evolving culinary landscape.
• Indian Heritage Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a restaurant that preserves and celebrates India’s culinary traditions through authentic regional flavors, time-honored recipes, thoughtful ambiance, and exceptional service—offering guests a culturally rich, immersive, and memorable dining experience that honors India’s diverse gastronomic legacy.
• Indian Theme Based Restaurant/Restro-Bar Recognizes a restaurant or restro-bar that successfully brings a distinctive and immersive theme to life through its concept, décor, menu, and service, creating a cohesive and engaging experience that captivates guests and sets it apart within the hospitality industry.
• Indian Restaurant/Restro-Bar with outstanding Ambience & Interiors Recognizes a restaurant or restro-bar that delivers an exceptional and distinctive atmosphere through innovative interior design, cohesive theme, and meticulous attention to detail, creating a welcoming and memorable environment that enhances the overall dining and social experience.
• Indian Dessert & Mithai Concept of the Year Recognizes an Indian dessert or mithai concept that demonstrates exceptional creativity, innovation, and mastery of flavors, offering memorable experiences, delighting customers, setting new standards in traditional and contemporary Indian sweet cuisine, and inspiring culinary excellence across the industry.
• Global Indian Restaurant of the Year Recognizes an Indian restaurant delivering exceptional culinary excellence, innovative dining experiences, and impeccable service on a global scale, setting benchmarks in quality, consistency, and creativity while elevating the international presence of Indian cuisine.
• Indian Street Food Concept of the Year Recognizes an Indian street food concept that showcases authentic flavors, creativity, and innovation, delivering memorable, high-quality experiences, delighting customers, redefining traditional street food on a contemporary and global stage, and inspiring new trends in casual Indian dining worldwide.
• Contemporary Indian Dining Experience Recognizes a restaurant delivering a contemporary Indian dining experience that blends innovation, flavor, and presentation, offering memorable culinary journeys, exceptional service, and setting new benchmarks in modern Indian gastronomy globally, while inspiring future trends in fine dining.
• Franchisable Indian Restaurant Concept of theYear Recognizes an Indian restaurant concept demonstrating strong franchising potential, operational excellence, and consistent quality, offering a scalable business model, innovative culinary experiences, and the ability to expand successfully across domestic and international markets. The establishment should have operations in atleast 3 countries.
• Tech-Driven Indian Restaurant of the Year Recognizes an Indian restaurant that leverages technology to enhance operations, customer experience, and innovation, integrating digital solutions, smart processes, and modern tools while delivering exceptional culinary quality and redefining the future of Indian dining globally.
• Delivery-First Indian Restaurant of the Year Recognizes an Indian restaurant excelling in delivery-focused operations, demonstrating efficiency, consistency, and innovation, delighting customers worldwide with high-quality meals, seamless service, and a scalable model that sets new benchmarks in global Indian cuisine.
• Best Indian Chai House / Chai Bar of the Year Recognizes an Indian chai house or chai bar that excels in flavor, creativity, and customer experience, offering authentic and innovative chai beverages, exceptional service, and setting new standards for Indian tea culture globally, while inspiring trends in modern tea experiences worldwide.
• Iconic Indian Restaurant of the Year Recognizes a landmark restaurant that has shaped India’s dining culture through timeless flavours, consistent excellence, strong brand legacy, and an enduring connection with guests—delivering a distinctive culinary experience that stands as a benchmark of national pride and long-lasting impact. The establishment must be in operations for 5 years as on December 31, 2025.

Culinary Excellence Awards

• Global Indian Chef of the Year Recognizes an Indian chef who consistently demonstrates exceptional culinary skill, creativity, and leadership, delivering outstanding dining experiences through innovative menus and quality ingredients, while also engaging and inspiring a broad audience through their influence on social media platforms. The participant must have atleast 5 years of industry experience as on December 31, 2025.
• Global Indian Sous Chef of the Year Recognizes an Indian sous chef who demonstrates exceptional culinary skill, leadership, and operational excellence, effectively managing kitchen staff and ensuring consistent food quality and service, while supporting the executive chef’s vision and driving kitchen success. The participant must have atleast 2 years of industry experience as on December 31, 2025.
• Indian Pastry & Dessert Chef of the Year Recognizes an Indian pastry and dessert chef who showcases outstanding creativity, technical mastery, and flavor innovation, consistently delivering exceptional sweet offerings while upholding high kitchen standards, inspiring their team, and elevating the overall dessert experience of the restaurant. The participant must have atleast 5 years of industry experience as on December 31, 2025.
• Young Indian Chef of the Year – Global Recognizes an emerging Indian culinary talent under 35 who demonstrates outstanding creativity, skill, and innovation, excelling in diverse cuisines, leading teams with promise, setting new benchmarks in global gastronomy, inspiring the next generation of chefs, and redefining modern Indian cuisine worldwide. The participant must under 35 years of age as on December 31, 2025.
• Menu R&D and Culinary Innovation Award Recognizes an Indian restaurant, culinary team, or brand that demonstrates exceptional creativity and innovation in menu research and development introducing unique flavors, techniques, and concepts that push culinary boundaries, respond to evolving consumer preferences, and elevate the dining experience through thoughtful, forward-thinking food offerings.
• Lifetime Achievement of the Year This award honors an individual who has made extraordinary and lasting contributions to the Indian food and hospitality industry over the course of their career globally. Recognized for their dedication, leadership, innovation, and positive impact, the recipient’s work has shaped the industry and inspired generations. This award celebrates a lifetime of excellence, commitment, and influence. The nominees will be determined by the editorial and jury.

Brand Impact & Customer Excellence Awards

• Fastest Growing Indian Restaurant Brand – Global Recognizes an Indian restaurant brand demonstrating remarkable growth, operational excellence, and innovative strategies, expanding rapidly across markets, delighting customers with consistent quality, and establishing a strong global presence in the culinary landscape. The brand must have minimum 3 operational outlets globally.
• Emerging Indian Restaurant Overseas Recognizes an Indian restaurant making a significant impact overseas, demonstrating innovation, quality, and growth potential, while introducing global audiences to authentic and contemporary Indian culinary experiences, building loyal international followings, and setting new benchmarks for Indian cuisine worldwide. Must be located outside India and been operational for at least 12 month as on December 31, 2025.
• Customer Experience Recognizes an Indian restaurant, bar, or F&B establishment that consistently delivers exceptional customer experiences through outstanding service, personalized interactions, attention to detail, and a welcoming atmosphere ensuring guests feel valued, satisfied, and eager to return. Must submit customer feedback or ratings from any two online platforms on the internet.
• Indian Food Influencer of the Year An Indian food influencer who connects with their audience through authentic, creative, and inspiring content. The focus is on meaningful engagement and the ability to spark passion for food, recipes, and dining experiences. The influencer consistently drives positive conversations and inspires their community through their unique voice and style. The influencer must have minimum 1 Million followers on any single social media platform.
• Restaurateur of the Year Recognizes a restaurateur who demonstrates outstanding leadership, vision, and dedication in creating and managing successful dining establishments. Recognized for their ability to innovate, inspire their team, and deliver consistently excellent guest experiences, they play a pivotal role in shaping the culinary landscape and setting high Indian industry standards. Individual must be the founder, co-founder, director, or principal owner of an Indian cuisine–focused restaurant or group and have minimum 2 years of experience in restaurant ownership or management.
• Indian Restaurant Consultant/Mentor of the Year Recognizes an individual from the industry who has played a pivotal role in advancing Indian restaurants through expert consulting, mentorship, and strategic leadership. This award honors their contribution to elevating culinary standards, improving business performance, nurturing talent, and preserving the authenticity and innovation of Indian cuisine across the food and beverage sector. The consultant must showcase the work executed globally. Individual must have minimum 3 years of professional consulting or mentoring experience in the F&B or hospitality sector and must have contributed to at least 2 Indian restaurant brands globally.
• Community Champion of the Year Recognizes a food service Indian organization that demonstrates outstanding commitment to social responsibility and community impact through sustainable practices, charitable initiatives, inclusive hiring, or programs that improve local food security, education, and wellbeing. Nominees must show measurable positive effects on their communities, transparency in their efforts, and a genuine dedication to making food service a force for social good. The initiative submitted for the award must have been implemented within the last 12 months as on December 31, 2025.

Common Eligibility Criteria:

• The restaurant/food service establishment must be legally registered and operating outside India.
• The establishment should serve Indian cuisine, either entirely or as a significant portion of its menu.
• The establishment must have been in continuous operation for at least 18 months as of December 31, 2025.
• For the Debutant Restaurant of the Year category, the minimum operational requirement is 12 months as of December 31, 2025.
• Individual Applicant must be culinary professionals of Indian origin working in restaurants, hotels, culinary institutes, or independent kitchens outside India.
• Individual Applicant must be 18 years or above as on December 31, 2025.