Bengaluru, 19th March 2025 – India’s most credible and influential restaurant rating platform, Culinary Culture’s Ultimate Restaurant Ratings, concluded its spectacular second edition, honouring the best of Indian gastronomy.

This year’s event expanded beyond Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Goa, and Chennai, introducing four new cities—Hyderabad, Bhopal, Kochi, and Amritsar. With this expansion, the platform now covers 10 of India’s top culinary destinations, capturing the rich diversity of the country’s evolving food landscape.

Since its inception, the Ultimate Restaurant Ratings, supported by Lavazza, has set a new benchmark in restaurant evaluation, using rigorous, anonymous inspections to recognize India’s most outstanding dining establishments.

This year, 40 new restaurants earned Ultimate stars for the first time, while six restaurants were promoted from 3 to 4 stars. One restaurant entered directly into the elite 5-star category in its first year—an achievement reserved for the very best.

More than 200 of India’s top restaurateurs, chefs, and team members flew into Bengaluru for the Ultimate Star Revelation Ceremony 2025, making it an unparalleled gathering never before seen in India. The event was a landmark moment for Indian gastronomy, proving that India finally has the ‘Stars That Matter.’

This year, the Ultimate Restaurant Ratings honoured:
• 66 restaurants with 3 stars
• 22 restaurants with 4 stars
• 4 restaurants with the highest 5-star distinction

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NIGHT

Special Award Winners
• Iconic Restaurant of the Year: Vidhyarthi Bhavan, Bengaluru
• Opening of the Year: Banng, Delhi NCR
• Restaurant Manager of the Year: Mirelle Pingfu, Mumbai
• Mixologist of the Year: Arijit Bose, Bengaluru
• Sustainable Restaurant of the Year: Naar, Kausali

5-Star Winners (4 Restaurants)
• Bengaluru: Farmlore
• Chennai: Avartana
• Delhi NCR: Indian Accent
• Mumbai: Papa’s (New Addition)

4-Star Winners (22 Restaurants)

Bengaluru: Karavalli, Lupa, Naru Noodle Bar
Chennai: Kappa Chakka Kandhari, Southern Spice
Delhi NCR: Bukhara, Dum Pukht, INJA, Megu, The China Kitchen
Goa: Cavatina, Hosa, Praça Prazeres
Kochi: Karthiyayini, Restaurant Chef Pillai
Kolkata: 6 Ballygunge Place, Avartana
Mumbai: Americano, Ekaa, Masque, O Pedro, Trèsind

3-Star Winners (66 Restaurants)

Amritsar: Beera Chicken House, Kulwant Singh Kulchian Wale, Grain by Elgin, Kesar Da Dhabha, Makhan Fish and Chicken Corner, Phulkari
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Oota Company, Central Tiffin Room, Kappa Chakka Kandhari, Kopitiam Lah
Bhopal: Hakeem’s, Shahnama, Shri Balaji Namkeen, Under the Jamun Tree
Chennai: Erode Amman Mess, The Farm, Gossip Bistro
Delhi NCR: Comorin, Dhilli, Loya, Olive Bar & Kitchen, Omo, Tres, Shang Palace, Swan
Goa: Bawri, Bomras, Izumi, Jamun, Slow Tide, The Second House, Grumps, Heliconia, Petisco
Hyderabad: Aidu, Dum Pukht Begum’s, Once Upon A Time, Simply South, The Spicy Venue, Rü
Kochi: Grand Pavilion, Malabar Cafe, Paragon, Rice Boat
Kolkata: Royal Indian Restaurant, Sienna, Sonar Tori, The Blue Poppy Thakali, Popo’s
Mumbai: Avartana, Indian Accent, Izumi, La Loca Maria, Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra, Mizu Izakaya, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, Soam, Swati Snacks, The Bombay Canteen, Wasabi by Morimoto, Bandra Born, Otra, Seefah, The Table

Vir Sanghvi, Chairman of Culinary Culture, said:
“At Culinary Culture, we have always pioneered initiatives that shape India’s F&B industry. From the first-ever street food awards to India’s first chef ranking platform, our mission remains the same—to celebrate excellence in an honest, transparent, and bias-free manner. The Ultimate Restaurant Ratings is another game-changing first for India, and we are thrilled to see its growing influence and the incredible response it has received. I am especially excited about including the cities of Amritsar, Bhopal, Kochi, and Hyderabad this year, as they don’t often receive the national recognition they truly deserve.”

Raaj Sanghvi, CEO of Culinary Culture, added:
“Diners now recognize our plaques as a mark of excellence, reinforcing trust while also benefiting restaurants. Unlike other rating systems that charge fees or involve external influences, the Ultimate Restaurant Ratings is India’s first and only truly independent restaurant rating system—one that the industry respects and acknowledges. Our ratings are dynamic—restaurants are re-evaluated anonymously and regularly, allowing them to gain or lose stars based on consistency and performance. This is why the best in the industry show up, because they know these are the only Stars That Matter.”

Mr A Venu Madhav, CEO of Fresh and Honest Pvt. Ltd. (Lavazza India), said:
“Lavazza is proud to partner with Culinary Culture’s Ultimate Restaurant Ratings, which stands as India’s first and only annual star rating system for restaurants. Lavazza has long been committed to quality and craftsmanship, values that align perfectly with the goals of the Ultimate Restaurant Ratings. Our longstanding tradition of excellence in the coffee industry complements the mission of this pioneering platform in its quest to recognize and reward culinary brilliance. By collaborating with Culinary Culture’s Ultimate Restaurant Ratings, we are proud to contribute to the recognition of outstanding culinary achievements and the promotion of India’s vibrant culinary culture.”

The Ultimate Restaurant Ratings is proudly supported by Lavazza, Johnnie Walker, Veeba, Bisleri Vedica, and Newby Tea—brands that share the vision of elevating India’s vibrant F&B industry.

How the Ratings Work

India’s first and only restaurant rating system of its kind, the Ultimate Restaurant Ratings follows a meticulous, anonymous, and merit-based evaluation process, making it a trusted benchmark for Indian gastronomy.

⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars – Very Good
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars – Excellent
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars – The Ultimate

Unlike traditional restaurant awards in India—many of which are influenced by sponsorships, advertising pressures, or fees paid by restaurants for nominations—Culinary Culture’s rating system is built on integrity. Each restaurant is evaluated anonymously by full-time referees through a rigorous multi-stage process, which includes nominations, anonymous screenings by Food Referees, in-depth debates, and a final distillation process to ensure only the most deserving establishments receive recognition.

The platform remains entirely independent and does not accept any fees from restaurants for nominations or inclusion.