Since Tamarind and Zaika in London broke ground as the first Indian restaurants to snag a MICHELIN Star back in 2001, our love affair with Indian cuisine has only intensified. Fast-forward to today: Trèsind Studio in Dubai has just made culinary history, becoming the first-ever Indian restaurant to earn Three MICHELIN Stars. Picture this: Chef Himanshu Saini plating up inventive masterpieces in a space that’s more chic-Mumbai-loft than fine-dining fortress — subway tiles, warm wood, industrial lighting, zero pretension.
Today, the influence of Indian cuisine outside of its home country is stronger than ever. Indian chefs in cities from London to Dubai have been rewriting the playbook, fusing time-honored flavors with boundary-pushing techniques. And diners? They’re more dialed-in than ever, devouring regional specialties with a curiosity (and palate) that spans from Malai kofta to Goan curries.
In celebration of this moment, here are a few of our Inspectors’ favorite Indian restaurants around the world — each one a passport to bold, beautiful, Star-worthy flavors.
Click below to jump to each destination:
United Arab Emirates
Home to one of the largest Indian expat communities, Dubai is a hub for regional Indian cuisine. Today, MICHELIN-Starred restaurants like Trèsind Studio and Avatāra are offering diners bold reinterpretations of traditional recipes, with an emphasis on great produce from the UAE.
Trèsind Studio, Dubai
With just 20 seats and an open kitchen, Three-MICHELIN-Starred Trèsind Studio offers a tasting menu that channels and celebrates the diverse flavors and cooking styles from all corners of India. The ethos centers on transforming mostly fish, seafood and vegetables — some of which are sourced locally from organic and sustainable UAE farmers — into striking and truly memorable creations, with plenty of theater added in. Expect stunning dishes like ghee-roast crab with burnt cinnamon or lobster tail with pickled carrot and Alleppey curry. Main courses such as kebab scarpetta with sourdough toasts pay homage to India’s northern plains and the Himalayas. Arrive early to enjoy signature cocktails at the Popadom Botanic Bar.
Avatāra, Dubai
The world’s first vegetarian One-MICHELIN-Starred Indian restaurant, Avatāra reimagines the concept of plant-based dining. Rooted in the rich heritage of Indian vegetarianism, the restaurant presents 18 dishes that celebrate local produce. Highlights include broccolini, asparagus and tomato curry pickle; passion fruit, strawberry and spiced guava water sorbet; jackfruit, teardrop pea and spinach curry kebab; and morel mushroom, chile and potato dauphinois with truffle. The intimate setting features a wide altar-like table where chefs add the finishing touches to each dish, offering a thrilling and immersive experience.
Jamavar, Dubai
London, Doha, and now Dubai: The Opera district is now home to this favorite Indian restaurant. Grand chandeliers and a plush cocktail bar make for an opulent interior design, while prime products are key ingredients across the menu. The spices are harmonious, with some noteworthy signature dishes, such as bhatti ka octopus and sindhi methi gosht (goat curry), reflecting the kitchen’s craft.
Qatar
The sizable Indian expat community in Qatar has fueled a burgeoning culinary scene that celebrates India’s rich regional diversity. Whether grabbing a quick street-food snack or sitting down for a MICHELIN-Starred meal, Indian food is woven into the fabric of today’s dining scene.
Jamavar, Doha
The first international outpost of the One-MICHELIN-Starred London original, Jamavar Doha brings the beloved pan-Indian dining concept to the Sheraton Grand Hotel. Inspired by the Viceroy’s House in New Delhi, the space blends warm grey oak paneling, chalk-white plaster and intricate mirror and brass accents. The expansive menu spans the breadth of India, from rich Old Delhi-style butter chicken to boldly spiced Kerala-style beef.
United Kingdom
What started as anglicized takes on traditional dishes has since evolved into a beloved and integral part of British culture. Today, the UK has a dynamic culinary landscape where regional Indian cuisines shine and where authenticity in all its forms is celebrated. Across the country, Indian chefs are reclaiming the narrative — one dish at a time.
Veeraswamy, London
One-MICHELIN-Starred Veeraswamy has been an institution on London’s Regent Street since 1926, making it the city’s oldest Indian restaurant. The menu spans the subcontinent, from vibrant street snacks to dishes rooted in royal kitchens, elevated by top-tier British produce like Welsh lamb. Standouts include the shahi patiala raan, where lamb shank is wrapped in golden puff pastry and paired with a decadent bone marrow, saffron and rose sauce, and a Kashmiri rogan josh perfumed with saffron and mawal flower. Their Anglo-Indian mulligatawny soup has been on their menu since the day the restaurant opened!
Gymkhana, London
Awarded Two MICHELIN Stars in 2024, Gymkhana channels colonial India’s members’ clubs. Its two floors evoke distinct moods: The jade-green and dark-timbered ground floor draws from the grandeur of Kolkata and Pondicherry mansions, while the peach and Kashmiri red lower level nods to northern Indian design. The northern-leaning tasting menus (vegetarian included) are indulgent yet precise, featuring standout plates like gilafi quail seekh kebab with mint-mustard chutney, and achari paneer tikka with fig, cashew and corn chaat. You can even add wine pairings, caviar or truffles for extra decadence.
Opheem, Birmingham
At Two-MICHELIN-Starred Opheem in Birmingham, local-born Chef-Owner Aktar Islam explores Indian flavors through a global lens. The seasonal tasting menu — offered in five or 10 courses — changes multiple times a year. Standout dishes include roasted quail with chapli spice, barbecued pea and wild garlic, and tandoori sand carrot paired with lentil pakora, mint and coriander. Presentations are as artful as the techniques behind them.
Amaya, London
In London, Amaya is a trailblazer highlighting the diverse grilling techniques of India: tandoor, tawa and sigri. The menu, designed for sharing, showcases these methods with dishes like black pepper chicken tikka, gilafi lamb dori kebab and sweet potato chaat. Don’t skip the cocktails, rooted in the fruits, flowers, spices and botanicals of India, and crafted to complement the food menu’s bold flavors and wonderful aromas. With One MICHELIN Star since 2006, Amaya continues to offer a fresh take on traditional Indian grilling.
Jamavar, London
One-MICHELIN-Starred Jamavar brings together pan-Indian flavors in the heart of Mayfair. The menu spans all corners of India, from street-food-inspired small plates like sabudana truffle khichdi with sago pearls, winter truffle, asparagus and peanuts, to tandoori classics. Main dishes such as Calicut meen curry — sea bass fillets with fresh turmeric, shallots, garlic and kudampuli — celebrate regional specialties. Limited-time tasting menus, like the Alphonso mango menu, highlight creative dishes such as kasundi paneer tikka with mango in three distinct forms.
Quilon, London
At this renowned London restaurant, longtime Head Chef Sriram Aylur and his team focus on the flavors of southwest India and the Malabar Coast. The seafood-forward menu is designed for sharing, with each dish crafted to allow contrasting flavors, textures and aromas to unfold. Standouts include Cochin lobster broth; and Fisherman’s Catch, a curated platter of pepper shrimp, crab cake, baked halibut and grilled scallop. As with all Southern Indian restaurants, rice is a must.
Benares, London
Named after India’s spiritual capital, One-MICHELIN-Starred Benares brings the essence of Indian flavors to Mayfair with the fresh and vibrant cooking of Chef Sameer Taneja. The menu evolves with the seasons, offering both à la carte and tasting options. Dishes are elevated with the finest local products and premium ingredients, such as chicken and winter truffle shorba, and Welsh shank of lamb simmered and glazed in sarawak black pepper, alongside sweet corn haleem.
Trishna, London
One-MICHELIN-Starred Trishna serves contemporary Indian coastal cuisine with original creations from the tandoor. A standout dish that pays homage to the original Trishna in Mumbai is the brown crab — in this instance from Dorset and bathed in butter. This summer’s menu, A Taste of the Western Ghats, offers dishes like coconut and corn tikki, with sweet corn, curry leaf, mint and mango murabba, as well as chicken chop ghee roast, accompanied by mixed sprouts sundal, green coconut chammanthi and Byadagi chile.
United States
Nearly two decades have passed since Dévi in New York became the first Indian restaurant in the US to receive a MICHELIN Star. Since then, the landscape for regional Indian cuisine has continued to expand and diversify. A new wave of restaurants is reshaping the narrative of Indian food.
Semma, New York City
One-MICHELIN-Starred Semma, led by Chef Vijay Kumar, brings the flavors of regional South Indian cuisine to New York diners. A native of Tamil Nadu, Kumar infuses his dishes with the essence of farm life on his ancestral land, using regional ingredients. Our Inspectors recommend beginning with mulaikattiya thaniyam, sprouted mung beans with coconut and smoked chile, Kumar’s nostalgic childhood snack. The gunpowder dosa, a classic rice and lentil crepe filled with potato masala, is on every table for good reason. Attu kari sukka, tender lamb in a rich, spice-laden curry, is another showstopper.
Rania, Washington, D.C.
Named after the word for “queen” in Hindi and Sanskrit, One-MICHELIN-Starred Rania offers a bold take on contemporary Indian cuisine with unexpected touches. Highlights at this Washington favorite include diver scallops with Mangalorean curry and grilled fennel, aloo-crusted Verlasso salmon with moilee and spinach kaipu, and hay-aged duck vindaloo featuring masala duck leg and charred spring onion — dishes that marry authentic flavors with inventive twists.
Indienne, Chicago
Holding One MICHELIN Star since 2023, Indienne brings Chef Sujan Sarkar’s original, modern interpretations of Indian cuisine to Chicago’s River North. The elegant space — with pastel pink banquettes, brass accents and a Calacatta marble bar — sets the stage for a thoughtful tasting menu experience. Diners can choose from vegetarian, non-vegetarian, vegan and pescatarian menus, each one offering a distinct perspective on Indian flavors.
Musaafer, Houston
Musaafer, meaning traveler in Hindi, earned its MICHELIN Star with a menu inspired by Chef Mayank Istwal’s 100-day journey across India’s 29 states. Tucked inside a Houston shopping mall, the restaurant is anything but expected, with soaring arches, intricate patterns and a palatial layout. Dishes are just as transportive: a deep-fried onion xuixo dusted with 24 spices, prawns in a coriander-coconut curry and a rich dal slow-cooked for 72 hours with tomato, butter and smoked chile.
Singapore
Indian culture holds a vital place in Singapore’s multicultural identity, with its Little India district standing as both a cultural landmark and a sensory feast. Here, tradition comes alive through finger-licking street food, family-run curry houses and festivals that spill into the streets. But as MICHELIN-Starred restaurants like Thevar prove, Indian cuisine in Singapore is as much about evolution as it is about heritage.
Thevar, Singapore
In Singapore’s buzzing Keong Saik neighborhood, Two-MICHELIN-Starred Thevar offers a contemporary multicourse menu rooted in traditional Indian flavors, prepared with classical European techniques and plated like objets d’art. Chef Mano Thevar, born in Penang, Malaysia, and trained in acclaimed kitchens like Guy Savoy and Waku Ghin, opened Thevar in 2019. Just three years later, the restaurant earned its second MICHELIN Star. Signature dishes such as Chettinad chicken roti and Brittany lobster with curry beurre blanc showcase his bold approach, complemented by a 600-label wine list.
Hong Kong
Indian cuisine doesn’t yet hold the same cultural prominence in Hong Kong as it does in other global cities, but standout restaurants like Chaat and New Punjab Club are changing that perception. They represent a growing appetite for Indian food in the city.
Chaat, Hong Kong
One-MICHELIN-Starred Chaat, located inside the Rosewood Hong Kong, reimagines Indian street food classics. The name, meaning “to lick” in Hindi, hints at the irresistible flavors on the menu. Highlights include oyster pani puri topped with Kristal caviar and a Delhi butter chicken in spiced tomato and fenugreek sauce. From the tandoor, the Badami chicken tikka is juicy and aromatic, thanks to a marinade of almond, black pepper and yogurt. Street food, but make it luxe.
New Punjab Club, Hong Kong
One-MICHELIN-Starred New Punjab Club is a tandoor grillhouse with swagger. The menu celebrates Punjabi cuisine, with two roaring tandoor ovens at its heart. Standouts include the smoky goat seekh kebab, richly spiced mutton keema pau and the signature butter chicken — or “Mughal Room makhani” — served with flaky laccha paratha.
Thailand
Indian cuisine in Thailand is undergoing an exciting transformation. At restaurants like Gaa, Haoma and INDDEE, chefs are reimagining traditional recipes with modern techniques and personal storytelling. This evolution highlights the growing appreciation for India’s culinary heritage as it becomes an integral part of Thailand’s dynamic food scene.
Gaa, Bangkok
Set in a beautifully transformed traditional Thai house in Bangkok, Two-MICHELIN-Starred Gaa offers an imaginative tasting menu that reflects Chef Garima Arora’s Indian heritage. The interior — curved ceilings and a serene taupe palette — creates a minimalist backdrop for bold dishes that reinterpret Indian street food. As the first Indian woman to earn one and then two MICHELIN Stars, Arora brings her expertise to every plate. In the intimate Gaa lounge, diners can also enjoy a quick bite from the à la carte menu.
Haoma, Bangkok
At Haoma (One MICHELIN Star and Green Star), a seasonal and local ethos drives the menu. Chef Deepanker Khosla sources ingredients from the restaurant’s own garden and carefully selected farmers, breeders and fisherfolk to create innovative, mindful dishes. Khosla’s commitment to a more conscious gastronomy includes conserving over 50,000 gallons of rainwater for the aquaponics farm, and recycling water with Nordaq systems. During the pandemic, the restaurant expanded to raise chickens and goats, directly contributing to its evolving menu. Signature dishes include lobster with pulissery, caviar and ghee roast bao; lamb with mustard mash; and a seasonal teardrop pea with trout eggs, shrimp pickle and nasturtium.
INDDEE, Bangkok
Inside a reimagined 100-year-old house down a small Bangkok alley, INDDEE offers modern, Indian-inspired gastronomy with a focus on regional diversity. The intimate 50-seat space, with its soaring arches and captivating lighting, sets the stage for a unique dining experience. The menu, each dish marked by its destination and main ingredient, takes diners on a culinary journey through India — with the team sharing the rich stories behind every creation. The use of a charcoal grill adds depth to the flavors, with standout dishes like hand-pulled chicken khurchan.
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