Mumbai's Masque Wins Big in Run-Up to Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026

Mumbai's Masque Wins Big in Run-Up to Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 12, 2026

Masque, one of India’s most recognised names in modern Indian gastronomy, has won the Art of Hospitality Award 2026. The honour was pre-announced in the run-up to Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. The award is given to an establishment that the 350-plus members of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants Academy believe has delivered the finest hospitality experience in Asia over the past 18 months.

Founded in 2016 by Aditi Dugar, Masque has grown into a global name in innovative Indian dining. Located in an industrial-chic former textile mill in Mumbai, the restaurant is known for its 10-course tasting menus that combine tradition with modern ideas. The focus remains on seasonal, locally sourced and foraged ingredients, presented through an engaging and interactive dining format.

A spokesperson for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants says: “Masque's win recognises more than exceptional service – it celebrates how the restaurant has built a complete ecosystem of hospitality around modern Indian gastronomy. The team's dedication to sourcing across India, their experimental approach to both food and cocktails and their ability to create intimate, interactive dining moments all demonstrate that at Masque, hospitality is inseparable from innovation.”

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Reacting to the recognition, Aditi Dugar says, “It feels incredible to bring home this award in our tenth year. It’s been a dream for as long as we can remember. It only reaffirms what we’ve been trying to achieve since Masque opened its doors, to treat every guest with care, generosity and the utmost humility. And of course, it goes without saying that this recognition belongs to the brilliant team at Masque, who shows up every day with unwavering commitment and the rigour to be the best. I’m deeply grateful to them, to everyone who has believed in our journey and to Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for recognising hospitality as something soulful and deeply human.”

Under the leadership of head chef Varun Totlani, the kitchen team travels across India, from the forests of Kashmir to the shores of Goa, to source hyperlocal produce. At the core of its creativity is the Masque Lab, an R&D kitchen that blends traditional Indian cooking with global techniques. The Lab also doubles as a private dining space for just 14 guests, offering an intimate and immersive experience.

Masque offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus, presenting contemporary Indian cuisine in a distinctive style. Dishes range from prickly pear with nagphani and coconut malai to a refined take on the Gujarati winter favourite ponkh bhel with Goan seaweed. Its cocktail programme follows the same experimental spirit, with seasonal ingredients and flavour combinations carefully designed to complement the tasting menus.

The Art of Hospitality Award celebrates restaurants where personalised, knowledgeable and seamless service enhances the overall dining journey. Masque now joins past winners such as Toyo Eatery in Manila, Nusara in Bangkok by chef Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakajohn and Zén in Singapore by chef Bjorn Frantzen.

This recognition comes ahead of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony, which will be held for the first time in Hong Kong at the Kerry Hotel on 25 March 2026. Deloitte continues to serve as the official independent adjudication partner, ensuring the integrity of the voting process and the final list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026.


The Den Bengaluru Presents a Floral-Themed Holi Celebration

The Den Bengaluru Presents a Floral-Themed Holi Celebration

By Hariharan U

Published on March 4, 2026

Marking Holi with elegance and restraint, The Den Bengaluru is presenting a celebration that reinterprets the festival through florals and flavour. Moving away from the usual splash of colours, the hotel is embracing fragrant petals and refined décor to create a setting that symbolises joy, harmony and togetherness.

Guests will be welcomed by an elaborate floral rangoli installation, setting a graceful tone for the afternoon. The décor has been thoughtfully designed to balance festive vibrancy with a calm, contemporary aesthetic, offering a celebration that feels intimate yet distinctly seasonal.

The highlight of the experience is a specially curated Holi buffet featuring beloved dishes from across India. The spread includes Chole Banarasi Style, Gatte ki Sabzi, Vegetable Kofta Curry and Ajwain Poori, alongside a selection of traditional Gujiyas that bring nostalgic festive flavours to the table. Each preparation reflects regional culinary influences while maintaining authenticity.

Adding to the celebratory spirit, The Creek will host a live Thandai and Lassi counter, serving chilled festive blends that complement the elaborate buffet.

With its floral accents, curated menu and tranquil ambience, The Den Bengaluru offers a Holi celebration that is vibrant yet composed, creating a memorable festive experience for guests seeking something refined.


Hydrama Opens in Noida, Redefining the Sports Bar Experience

Hydrama Opens in Noida, Redefining the Sports Bar Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 4, 2026

Hydrama has opened its doors in Sector 50, bringing a fresh take on the sports bar concept to the city. Located at TF-02, Third Floor, Central 50, Sector 50, Noida, the new destination introduces an all-day format that smoothly shifts from relaxed daytime catch-ups to match-night buzz and late-evening energy.

Conceptualised by Priykant Gautam, Hydrama is designed around mood and movement. Instead of being limited to peak nightlife hours, the space changes through the day with evolving soundscapes, dramatic lighting, live acts, and match-day rituals. The idea is to create a space that feels alive at every hour, turning a regular outing into a shared experience.

The interiors draw inspiration from the feel of a live stadium, with industrial textures, neon highlights, graffiti art, and LED scoreboards. At the same time, carefully planned seating zones allow guests to enjoy calm daytime lounging or step into a more energetic setting as the evening builds.

The bar takes centre stage with cocktails that are smoked, flamed, and infused, inspired by iconic global sporting moments. The food menu features elevated bar favourites, global small plates, artisanal pizzas, and shareable platters made for long conversations and group dining.

Sharing his vision, Priykant Gautam, Founder, Hydrama, says, "I wanted Hydrama to feel alive, a space that builds energy through the day and peaks at night. It's not about watching the game or the DJ; it's about being part of the atmosphere that unfolds around you."

With its focus on experience, expression, and community, Hydrama positions itself as a new social arena for Noida,  immersive, energetic, and built for those who enjoy being part of the moment rather than just watching it.


The Chamomile Estate Introduces Tea Tasting in Mukteshwar

The Chamomile Estate Introduces Tea Tasting in Mukteshwar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 4, 2026

The Chamomile Estate, set atop a private 2.5-acre hill in Guniyalekh, a peaceful tea-growing hamlet in Mukteshwar, has unveiled its new Tea Tasting Experience. Surrounded by the calm and untouched beauty of Uttarakhand, the estate is inviting guests to slow down and enjoy tea in a more meaningful way.

This thoughtfully curated session is designed for tea lovers, wellness seekers and experiential travellers who appreciate finer details. The experience brings together storytelling, aroma discovery, flavour understanding and mindful brewing methods. Each tea is introduced with care, helping guests understand its origin, character and wellness benefits.

The tasting menu features a rich selection that includes Oolong Tea, Blooming Tea, Hibiscus Tea, Chamomile Tea, Kashmiri Kahwa, Apple Cinnamon Tea, Masala CTC Tea, along with thematic blends such as Stressbuster, forever young, and throat rescue teas. From light floral infusions to strong spiced blends, every cup highlights its own colour, taste and health properties.

Guests can observe blooming teas gently open up in glassware, explore the layered notes of oolong, learn about chamomile’s calming qualities and enjoy the comforting warmth of traditional favourites like Kashmiri Kahwa and Masala CTC. The session also shares insights on antioxidant benefits, digestion support, relaxation properties and the right brewing techniques to get the best flavour and wellness value from each cup.

Sharing his thoughts, Mr Anirudh Lakhotia, Director, Ivory Destinations Pvt Ltd said, “Tea is more than a beverage, it is a sensory journey and a mindful ritual. At The Chamomile Estate, surrounded by nature’s stillness, we have created an experience where guests can slow down, reconnect, and rediscover tea as a luxurious and holistic indulgence. In fact The Chamomile Estate’s signature charm lies in its uniquely themed rooms, each inspired by a distinct tea blend, designed to offer both comfort and exclusivity”.

Ideal for intimate gatherings, curated retreats, corporate offsites and hospitality collaborations, the Tea Tasting Experience reflects The Chamomile Estate’s focus on experiential wellness and refined living in the lap of the Himalayas.

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