From Butter Chicken to Biryani, why is Indian cuisine making waves in Taste Atlas rankings?
The popular food and travel guide, Taste Atlas, has revealed its rankings for 2024-25, covering the top cuisines, dishes, drinks, and restaurants. While India didn't make it to the 'Top 10 Best Cuisines', it still secured impressive spots in other exciting categories.
In Taste Atlas' 'Top 100 Cuisines of 2024 list', Greek cuisine took the top spot, followed closely by Italy and Mexico. Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Indonesia, France, Japan, and China completed the Top 10.
At the top is Greek cuisine, famous for its premium olive oils, dairy products, and honey, embodying the excellence of the Mediterranean diet. Coming in second, Italian cuisine is beloved for iconic dishes like Pizza Napoletana and Parmigiano Reggiano, alongside its renowned olive oils, chocolates, and rich culinary heritage. Mexican cuisine takes third place, celebrated for its distinct spirits, cheeses, and lively restaurant culture.
While India was ranked 12th, the country earned praise for its diverse food culture, especially with iconic dishes like 'Amritsari kulcha' and 'Hyderabadi biryani'. The ranking recognised Indian cuisine as a "vibrant mix of spices and flavors."
Mumbai and Punjab stand out as food hotspots
India may not have been in the top 10 for cuisine, but it received recognition in other prestigious categories. Mumbai was ranked the 'fifth Best Food City', while Punjab was named the 'ninth Best Food Region' worldwide. These honours celebrate India’s rich culinary offerings, from Mumbai’s famous street food to the diverse flavors of Punjab.
India’s best dishes and restaurants featured prominently
India’s culinary landscape continued to impress, with several dishes earning notable rankings. 'Murgh Makhani' (Butter Chicken) was placed 29th in the 'Best Dishes' category and ranked fourth in the 'poultry dishes list'. The 'Best Vegetable Dishes' list also saw Indian favorites like 'Malai Kofta' and 'Misal Pav' securing the first and second spots. Additionally, 'Curry' ranked second in the 'stews category'.
Indian breads also received recognition, with 'Amritsari Kulcha' and 'Garlic Naan' ranked as the second and third Best Breads. In the restaurant rankings, 'Amrik Sukhdev' in Murthal and 'Pabba’s' in Mangaluru were the only two Indian restaurants to make it to the 'Top 100'.
Taste Atlas highlighted some of the must-try Indian dishes, including 'Amritsari kulcha', 'Butter Garlic Naan', 'Murgh makhani', and 'Hyderabadi biryani'. It also recommended iconic restaurants like 'Dum Pukht' (New Delhi), 'Glenary's' (Darjeeling), 'Ram Ashraya' (Mumbai), and 'Shree Thaker Bhojanalay' (Mumbai) as the best places to experience India’s food diversity.
Taste Atlas has faced criticism over its ranking methods, but the platform continues to remain transparent, with over 477,000 ratings for more than 15,000 dishes in its database. While its rankings stir debate, India’s ongoing global recognition for its rich food culture is undeniable.
Here's the complete list of the Top 50 'Best Cuisines In The World' below:
- Greek cuisine
- Italian cuisine
- Mexican cuisine
- Spanish cuisine
- Portuguese cuisine
- Turkish cuisine
- Indonesian cuisine
- French cuisine
- Japanese cuisine
- Chinese cuisine
- Polish cuisine
- Indian cuisine
- American cuisine
- Peruvian cuisine
- Serbian cuisine
- Brazilian cuisine
- Croatian cuisine
- Colombian cuisine
- Vietnamese cuisine
- Hungarian cuisine
- Algerian cuisine
- Korean cuisine
- German cuisine
- Romanian cuisine
- Argentinian cuisine
- Lebanese cuisine
- Czech cuisine
- Thai cuisine
- Georgian cuisine
- Tunisian cuisine
- Austrian cuisine
- Chilean cuisine
- Bulgarian cuisine
- Russian cuisine
- South African cuisine
- Filipino cuisine
- Malaysian cuisine
- Moroccan cuisine
- Lithuanian cuisine
- Egyptian cuisine
- Iranian cuisine
- Syrian cuisine
- Canadian cuisine
- Ukrainian cuisine
- Dutch cuisine
- Palestinian cuisine
- Macedonian cuisine
- English cuisine
- Ethiopian cuisine
- Cypriot cuisine