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


AJIO LUXE Launches First Delhi NCR Store at Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj

AJIO LUXE Launches First Delhi NCR Store at Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj

By Hariharan U

Published on May 21, 2026

AJIO has launched its first-ever AJIO LUXE store in Delhi NCR at Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj, marking a major step in the brand’s offline retail expansion strategy.

The new store introduces a curated luxury and premium fashion experience, featuring a mix of international and Indian labels across fashion, footwear, accessories, and lifestyle categories. Designed as an immersive retail space, the outlet reflects the growing consumer demand for experience-led and elevated shopping formats in the Delhi NCR region.

The launch further strengthens Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj’s positioning as a key destination for premium and bridge-to-luxury retail in North India. The mall has recently expanded its portfolio with several global and high-end brands, reinforcing its appeal among aspirational and affluent shoppers.

Speaking on the launch, Arjun Gehlot highlighted that luxury retail is increasingly being driven by immersive consumer experiences, and noted that AJIO LUXE aligns with evolving shopping expectations focused on curation and engagement beyond traditional retail formats.

Over time, Ambience Mall has emerged as a leading lifestyle hub in Delhi NCR, housing a strong mix of luxury retail, fashion, dining, and entertainment offerings. Existing premium brands at the mall include The Collective, Brooks Brothers, Kapoor Watch Company, True Religion, Diesel, and Tira, among others.

With this launch, AJIO LUXE aims to bridge digital-first retail sophistication with an in-store luxury experience, targeting fashion-conscious consumers and young aspirational shoppers across the region.


Summit Hotels & Resorts Expands Presence in Arunachal Pradesh with Rungkhung Village Resort in Dirang

Summit Hotels & Resorts Expands Presence in Arunachal Pradesh with Rungkhung Village Resort in Dirang

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 21, 2026

Continuing its growth across the Eastern Himalayan region, Summit Hotels & Resorts has announced the addition of Rungkhung Village Resort in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh. Launched under The Signature Collection, the new property marks the brand’s continued focus on expanding into emerging destinations with growing tourism potential.

Nestled in the picturesque Dirang Valley and overlooking the Kameng River, the resort has been designed as a boutique mountain retreat surrounded by misty hills, layered valleys, and scenic natural landscapes. Blending local Arunachali influences with modern comforts, the property is aimed at travellers seeking peaceful and experience-driven stays.

The resort offers a range of thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, including Premium View Rooms and Junior Suites. Each accommodation comes with private balconies opening to panoramic views of the river and surrounding valley. Designed with warm interiors, soft textures, and contemporary amenities, the stay experience balances comfort with a strong sense of place.

Food experiences at the resort revolve around an all-day dining restaurant serving a mix of multi-cuisine offerings along with regional Northeast specialities. Guests can enjoy meals while taking in scenic valley views. The property also features landscaped gardens, bonfire setups, and outdoor relaxation spaces that encourage visitors to connect with nature.

Guests staying at the retreat can also take part in curated local experiences and nature-led activities. With its spacious layout and focus on privacy, the property is positioned as a peaceful escape for travellers looking beyond crowded hill destinations.

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Commenting on the addition, Sumit Mitruka, CEO, Summit Hotels & Resorts, said, "Dirang is an emerging destination with immense natural appeal, and we see growing interest from travellers looking for less crowded, experience-driven locations. Our approach has been to create a property that stays true to the destination while offering the comfort and consistency that guests expect from the Summit brand."

The launch of Rungkhung Village Resort reflects Summit Hotels & Resorts continued effort to strengthen its portfolio of boutique properties across the Eastern Himalayan belt, with a focus on destination-led hospitality and experiential travel.


Okhai by Tata Chemicals Launches Contemporary Ajrakh Collection

Okhai by Tata Chemicals Launches Contemporary Ajrakh Collection

By Hariharan U

Published on May 20, 2026

Tata Chemicals’ CSR initiative Okhai has launched its latest Ajrakh collection, a contemporary reinterpretation of one of India’s oldest and most celebrated textile traditions rooted in the craft heritage of Kutch.

The collection has been developed in collaboration with artisan designer Mubin Khatri and his team from Dhamadka, bringing together traditional craftsmanship and modern design across 19 handcrafted garments. The line has been developed over eight months, focusing on blending heritage techniques with contemporary silhouettes and print innovations.

Crafted in breathable cotton and cotton twill, the collection uses natural dyes and traditional methods such as pothai, where fabrics are hand-painted using natural colours. It also experiments with reimagined block-print techniques, separating outlines and filler blocks to create more dynamic and versatile patterns.

A notable innovation in the collection is the use of Ajrakh on twill cotton denim, offering a modern interpretation of the craft while retaining its cultural identity.

Speaking about the launch, Manorath Dhillon said Ajrakh is deeply rooted in history and community, and the collection aims to evolve the craft for contemporary wardrobes while preserving its authenticity.

Sustainability remains central to the initiative, with natural fabrics, eco-friendly dyes, and reuse of existing blocks to reduce waste. Through this collection, Okhai continues its focus on preserving Indian artisan traditions while making them relevant for modern consumers.

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