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


Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj Hosts Victoria’s Secret ‘Rome After Dark’ Launch with Triptii Dimri

Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj Hosts Victoria’s Secret ‘Rome After Dark’ Launch with Triptii Dimri

By Hariharan U

Published on August 22, 2026

Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, hosted an exclusive ‘Rome After Dark’ experience by Victoria’s Secret, marking the launch of the brand’s latest Very Sexy Collection and bringing together fashion, luxury and experiential retail.

Inspired by the romance and mystique of Rome, the launch transformed the Victoria’s Secret store into an immersive setting reflecting the collection’s distinctive aesthetic and after-dark appeal.

Actor Triptii Dimri joined the event as the special guest, adding a celebrity and fashion dimension to the evening. Her presence further enhanced the launch, which brought together the brand’s signature fashion identity with an experience-led retail format.

Speaking on the occasion, Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, said that luxury retail destinations are increasingly defined by the experiences they create alongside the brands they house. He highlighted the mall’s focus on bringing leading international and premium brands together with experiences designed for an evolving, fashion-conscious consumer.

Shahista Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, added that contemporary luxury is increasingly about being distinctive, relevant and ahead of the curve. She noted that the ‘Rome After Dark’ experience combined fashion, trends and a strong sense of occasion, reflecting the evolving retail environment at Ambience Mall.

The Very Sexy Collection takes inspiration from Rome’s timeless romance and after-dark allure. Through the ‘Rome After Dark’ narrative, Victoria’s Secret has created a retail experience centred around discovery and engagement while retaining the brand’s distinctive visual and fashion language.

The launch also underlines Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj’s continued focus on premium and luxury retail. The destination brings together international and Indian brands spanning fashion, beauty, lifestyle and dining, positioning itself as a destination that combines shopping with fashion, culture and entertainment.

Over the years, Ambience Mall has also hosted prominent celebrities for brand launches and engagements, further strengthening its role within Delhi’s premium retail and lifestyle landscape.

With Victoria’s Secret’s latest collection at the centre of the evening and Triptii Dimri adding a celebrity presence, the ‘Rome After Dark’ launch showcased how luxury retail is increasingly moving beyond conventional shopping to create immersive and experience-led brand interactions.


TSG Aura Resort Hosts Special Lunch for Students in Shaheed Dweep

TSG Aura Resort Hosts Special Lunch for Students in Shaheed Dweep

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 22, 2026

TSG Aura Resort hosted a special lunch for students of Government Middle School, Sitapur, Shaheed Dweep, South Andaman, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The initiative was planned to give the young students a warm and memorable experience. The resort team spent time with the children, interacted with them and shared moments of happiness during the gathering.

More than just providing a meal, the occasion gave the team an opportunity to connect with the students and make them feel valued and appreciated. Through initiatives such as this, TSG Hotels & Resorts continues to engage with the local community and support efforts that contribute to the well-being of people in the destinations where it operates.


Jivraj9 Tea Group Contributes ₹12.5 Lakhs to Assam CM Relief Fund for Flood Relief Efforts

Jivraj9 Tea Group Contributes ₹12.5 Lakhs to Assam CM Relief Fund for Flood Relief Efforts

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 20, 2026

Reinforcing its strong connection with Assam and the communities that are an important part of India’s tea ecosystem, Jivraj9 Tea Group has contributed ₹12.5 lakhs to the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

The contribution aims to support relief and rehabilitation efforts for communities affected by the recent floods in Assam. For Jivraj9 Tea Group, this initiative goes beyond a corporate social responsibility effort, reflecting its commitment to giving back to a region that has played a significant role in the tea industry.

The company believes that Assam’s contribution to the tea sector extends beyond tea production, with its people, communities and ecosystem forming an essential part of the industry’s journey.

Viren Shah, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), Jivraj9 Tea Group, said “Our relationship with Assam is rooted in tea, but it goes beyond the tea that is sourced from the region. It is a relationship with the people, communities and ecosystem that have made Assam such an important part of India’s tea story. We have always believed that when a region contributes to your business and your industry, you have a responsibility to contribute back to it as well. Our contribution to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund is a small step from our side towards supporting the relief efforts and the people affected by the floods.”

Sharing his thoughts, Pathik Shah, Executive Director (ED), Jivraj9 Tea Group said “Our responsibility does not end with producing and delivering quality tea. It also extends to recognising and supporting the ecosystem that makes our industry possible. Assam has given enormously to the identity and strength of Indian tea. At a time when people across the state are facing difficulty, we wanted to contribute towards the collective relief effort in whatever way we could.”

Assam remains one of the most important tea-growing regions in India, with its unique geography, climate and rich tea heritage shaping the identity of Indian tea. The state has supported generations of communities whose livelihoods are closely connected with the tea industry.

Jivraj9 Tea Group’s association with Assam reflects its connection with the origins and value chain of the tea it delivers to consumers across India and international markets.

Through this contribution, the company continues to focus on building meaningful relationships across the tea value chain while supporting the communities and regions that play an important role in its journey.

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