Stars That Matter: India’s Most Trusted Restaurant Ratings Returns Bigger and Bolder in 2025

Stars That Matter: India’s Most Trusted Restaurant Ratings Returns Bigger and Bolder in 2025

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 14, 2025

Culinary Culture’s Ultimate Restaurant Ratings is back in 2025, bringing a bigger and bolder edition that expands across more cities. After its groundbreaking debut in 2024, this highly respected rating system continues to redefine India’s culinary landscape, setting new benchmarks for unbiased restaurant evaluations.

The Ultimate Star Revelation Ceremony will take place in Bengaluru on 15 March 2025, unveiling the finest dining destinations across the country. With rankings extending to four new cities—Hyderabad, Bhopal, Kochi, and Amritsar—this year’s ratings promise a truly pan-India perspective.

A Benchmark of Integrity in Restaurant Ratings

Culinary Culture’s Ultimate Restaurant Ratings stand apart as India’s only evaluation system based purely on merit, free from sponsorships or external influence. The process ensures transparency, with results remaining confidential until the official ceremony.

Last year, three restaurants earned the coveted 5 Ultimate Stars:

  • Farmlore, Bengaluru

  • Avartana, Chennai

  • Indian Accent, New Delhi

This elite distinction places them at the pinnacle of India’s dining scene, setting the standard for excellence.

Vir Sanghvi, Chairman of Culinary Culture, highlights the significance of this initiative: “At Culinary Culture, we have always led initiatives that shape India’s F&B industry. From celebrating street food to ranking chefs, our mission remains the same—to honor excellence with honesty and transparency. The Ultimate Restaurant Ratings is another game-changing first for India.”

How the Ratings Work

The rating system follows a three-tier structure:

  • 3 Stars: Very Good

  • 4 Stars: Excellent

  • 5 Stars: The Ultimate

Unlike conventional awards influenced by sponsorships, Culinary Culture’s system maintains integrity through anonymous inspections conducted by full-time referees. Restaurants are evaluated through a meticulous process involving nominations, anonymous screenings, debates, and a final selection phase. The platform remains independent and does not accept fees from restaurants for inclusion.

What’s New in 2025?

  • More Cities, More Diversity: Hyderabad, Bhopal, Kochi, and Amritsar join the list, bringing regional culinary gems into the spotlight.

  • Special Awards: Categories include Iconic Restaurant, Restaurant Manager, Sustainability, Opening of the Year, and Mixologist of the Year.

  • A Grand Celebration in Bengaluru: Top restaurateurs, chefs, and industry leaders will gather for this prestigious event.

  • Increased Coverage: Nearly 100 restaurants will be recognized, doubling last year’s coverage and strengthening India’s global culinary presence.

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Raaj Sanghvi, CEO of Culinary Culture, shares: “The response to last year’s ratings was overwhelming. Diners now recognize our plaques as a symbol of trust. Our ratings remain dynamic—restaurants are re-evaluated regularly, ensuring credibility. We thank our partners, Lavazza and Diageo, for their unwavering support.”

Supporting Excellence in the F&B Industry

The Ultimate Restaurant Ratings is backed by brands that share its commitment to advancing India’s culinary industry, including Lavazza, Johnnie Walker, Veeba, Bisleri Vedica, and Newby Tea.

About Culinary Culture

Co-founded by Vir Sanghvi and Sameer Sain, Culinary Culture is India’s leading authority in food evaluation. The platform is renowned for its restaurant ratings, chef awards, and street food rankings. Beyond ratings, it hosts global culinary exchanges, bringing celebrated international chefs to India while showcasing Indian talent on the global stage. Culinary Culture also leads several initiatives, including FoodSuperstars, Culinary Conversations, and StreetFoodSuperstars, shaping the future of India’s gastronomic landscape.

Join India’s Culinary Revolution! - For more destails 

Visit Culinary Culture’s website: www.CulinaryCulture.co


The Serai Resorts Reinforces Commitment to Sustainable Hospitality on World Environment Day

The Serai Resorts Reinforces Commitment to Sustainable Hospitality on World Environment Day

By Hariharan U

Published on June 4, 2026

In observance of World Environment Day, The Serai Resorts has highlighted its ongoing commitment to sustainable hospitality through a range of initiatives aimed at minimizing environmental impact while fostering a deeper connection between guests and nature.

Known for its boutique luxury experiences across Karnataka’s diverse landscapes, The Serai Resorts has long embraced a philosophy of operating in harmony with its natural surroundings. With properties located amid the coffee plantations of Chikmagalur, the riverfront wilderness of Kabini, and the forests of Bandipur, sustainability remains a core aspect of the brand’s hospitality approach.

As part of its environmental stewardship efforts, the resort group has implemented water conservation measures across its properties through rainwater harvesting and reservoir management systems. Water collected on-site is carefully channelled into dedicated reservoirs, helping optimize water usage and support long-term conservation objectives.

The Serai Resorts has also taken significant steps to reduce single-use plastic consumption across guest-facing operations. In line with this initiative, packaged plastic water bottles have been replaced with reusable glass jugs, offering guests a more sustainable in-room experience while reducing plastic waste generated across the properties.

To mark World Environment Day, the resort group will conduct sapling plantation drives across its destinations. Guests staying at the resorts will also be presented with saplings, encouraging them to continue environmental stewardship beyond their stay and contribute to greener communities.

Beyond these initiatives, The Serai Resorts continues to integrate environmentally conscious operational practices into its daily activities. These include the use of environmentally safer pest-control solutions and sustainable maintenance practices designed to preserve the ecological balance of the surrounding landscapes.

The group's low-density architectural planning further reflects its sustainability philosophy by minimizing environmental strain and ensuring that the natural environment remains central to the guest experience. This approach allows visitors to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying the comforts of boutique luxury hospitality.

By balancing environmental responsibility with guest-centric experiences and thoughtful expansion, The Serai Resorts continues to strengthen its position as a leading boutique hospitality brand in India. The company remains focused on protecting the ecosystems that define each destination while creating meaningful and sustainable travel experiences for its guests.

About The Serai Resorts:

The Serai Resorts, the luxury hospitality arm of Coffee Day Enterprises, offers immersive luxury experiences across some of Karnataka’s most scenic destinations. Its portfolio includes resorts in Chikmagalur, Kabini, and Bandipur, where nature-inspired experiences are combined with refined hospitality, understated elegance, and destination-led storytelling.


Summit Hotels & Resorts Launches ‘The Mandir Collection’ to Enter Spiritual Hospitality Segment

Summit Hotels & Resorts Launches ‘The Mandir Collection’ to Enter Spiritual Hospitality Segment

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 4, 2026

Summit Hotels & Resorts has announced its entry into the fast-growing spiritual hospitality segment with the launch of The Mandir Collection, a new brand dedicated to pilgrimage destinations and spiritually inspired travel experiences across India.

The move comes at a time when spiritual tourism is witnessing strong growth, supported by improved infrastructure, better connectivity, and increasing interest in faith-based, cultural, and wellness-focused travel experiences.

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Commenting on the launch, Sumit Mitruka, CEO, Summit Hotels & Resorts, said, “Spiritual travel in India is experiencing a massive boom, with nearly 1 in 5 Indians planning faith-based or wellness trips. Travellers today are not only visiting pilgrimage destinations for religious reasons but also seeking experiences in wellness, culture, and personal connection. India’s spiritual tourism economy is projected to reach USD 135 billion by 2034, and through The Mandir Collection, our intention is to create hospitality experiences that remain rooted in the spirit of the destination while offering the comfort and quality modern travellers expect.”

As part of the new brand’s debut, Summit Hotels & Resorts has identified Salasar as the location for its first property. The upcoming hotel, Summit Salasar, The Mandir Collection, is planned as a premium spiritual retreat designed to cater to devotees, families, wellness travellers, and destination-led gatherings.

The property is expected to feature around 70 rooms and villas, including private pool villas. Guests can also look forward to experiences inspired by spirituality and Indian traditions, creating a blend of comfort, culture, and meaningful travel.

Planned facilities include a Satvik dining concept, temple assistance services, wellness-focused experiences, devotional evening programmes, banquet facilities, outdoor event spaces, and convenient access to the revered Salasar Balaji Temple.

Looking ahead, Summit Hotels & Resorts plans to expand The Mandir Collection across key pilgrimage circuits and spiritual destinations in India. The company is currently evaluating opportunities in locations such as Haridwar, Ayodhya, and other emerging spiritual tourism hubs.

The launch further strengthens Summit’s destination-focused growth strategy while addressing the rising demand for hospitality experiences that combine faith, wellness, culture, and modern comforts.


The Club Caters Expands Luxury Event Experiences Beyond The Club Mumbai

The Club Caters Expands Luxury Event Experiences Beyond The Club Mumbai

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 4, 2026

The Club Mumbai is taking its renowned hospitality beyond its iconic premises through The Club Caters, its luxury catering and integrated event solutions division. Designed to deliver premium experiences across weddings, corporate gatherings, MICE events, and private celebrations, The Club Caters is expanding its presence across Mumbai, Pune, Lonavala, Nashik, Alibaug, and other destinations.

Built on The Club Mumbai’s long-standing hospitality legacy, The Club Caters combines culinary excellence with end-to-end event services, offering clients a seamless experience for both intimate gatherings and large-scale celebrations.

At the core of its offerings is a specialised culinary team with expertise across Italian, Mediterranean, contemporary Indian, and international cuisines. The team focuses on authenticity, quality ingredients, and carefully crafted menus designed to suit diverse guest preferences and event formats.

Seasonal produce, farm-to-table freshness, and locally sourced ingredients remain central to its culinary philosophy. The catering division also caters to evolving dining preferences with plant-based menus, gluten-free and keto-friendly options, artisanal mocktails, and immersive dining experiences. These include molecular gastronomy counters, sous vide preparations, live cooking stations, and customised digital menus.

Sharing his perspective on the brand’s culinary approach, Chef Atish Saxena, Director, Culinary, The Club Caters, said, “Our approach has always been rooted in authenticity and innovation. Whether it is regional Indian cuisine or global dining formats, we invest deeply in technique, ingredients, and guest experience to ensure every event feels distinctive and thoughtfully curated.”

Beyond food and beverage services, The Club Caters offers access to an established network of event professionals, including planners, decorators, photographers, entertainment specialists, bartenders, and production teams. The brand also collaborates with prominent venues such as Bay View Lawns, Mukesh Mills, and Siddharth Banquets to create customised event experiences.

Commenting on the vision behind the business, Mr. Tushar Khanna, President and Chief Operating Officer of Khanna Hotels Private Limited, said, "Every celebration is a stage. Our vision is to become India's definitive one-stop destination for luxury outdoor catering, placing curated, experiential dining at the heart of every occasion we are honoured to serve."

The Club Caters further enhances events through personalised butler service, curated décor, bespoke tableware, and interactive culinary installations. To support service efficiency during large-scale events, the company has also introduced a proprietary guest response system powered by wearable silent-call technology, enabling quicker coordination and guest assistance.

As demand for experiential celebrations continues to grow, The Club Caters is strengthening its position in Mumbai’s luxury catering and event landscape by combining hospitality expertise, innovative cuisine, and integrated event management solutions.

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