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.”

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.