What Is the Best Indian Restaurant in the World?

What is the best Indian restaurant in the world?

Introduction

Indian cuisine is one of the most flavorful, diverse, and celebrated culinary traditions in the world. From the fragrant biryanis of Hyderabad to the creamy butter chicken of Punjab, Indian food has conquered global palates with its spices, heritage, and soul. As Indian cuisine continues to thrive internationally, food critics, Michelin inspectors, and gourmets have sought to answer one tantalizing question:

What is the best Indian restaurant in the world?

While opinions vary, one name consistently rises to the top of prestigious lists, Michelin guides, and culinary awards:

“Gaggan” in Bangkok, Thailand – The revolutionary Indian restaurant by Chef Gaggan Anand.

we explore why “Gaggan” is considered the best Indian restaurant in the world, delve into its unique approach to Indian cuisine, trace its meteoric rise, and compare it to other world-class Indian establishments. We’ll also touch on the impact of Gaggan’s philosophy on global gastronomy and the future of Indian fine dining.

1. The Rise of Gaggan Anand – A Culinary Maverick

Gaggan Anand, born in Kolkata, India, is a culinary rebel who broke the stereotype of what Indian food could be. Trained at the Le Cordon Bleu and inspired by Spanish molecular gastronomy from El Bulli, Anand envisioned Indian food beyond curry and naan.

His ambition wasn’t to mimic traditional Indian food, but to elevate it into the fine-dining stratosphere. After years of training and experimentation, he opened “Gaggan” in 2010 in Bangkok, a city known for its street food and vibrant restaurant scene.

2. Gaggan Restaurant – Redefining Indian Cuisine

Location:

Bangkok, Thailand

Concept:

Progressive Indian cuisine—a fusion of Indian flavors with molecular gastronomy, artful plating, and culinary storytelling.

Experience:

Dining at Gaggan is a multi-sensory journey. The restaurant offers tasting menus of up to 25 courses, where each dish is represented by emojis instead of names. This playful approach encourages diners to guess the ingredients, textures, and inspirations behind the dishes.

Examples of iconic dishes:

Yogurt Explosion – A tribute to El Bulli, this molecular sphere bursts in your mouth with a rush of spiced yogurt.
Lick It Up – Served on a plate with rock music playing, this curry must be licked directly off the dish.
Charcoal – A black, ash-like sculpture that reveals juicy spiced meat inside.

Each plate is a blend of innovation, culture, and performance, and challenges diners’ perception of what Indian food is supposed to be.

3. Awards and Recognition

Gaggan’s rise to global fame is not without strong critical backing:

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants

Ranked #1 for four consecutive years (2015–2018)
The first Indian restaurant to reach this level of dominance in the Asian fine dining scene.

World’s 50 Best Restaurants

Consistently ranked in the Top 10
Peaked at #4 in 2019, the highest ever for any Indian restaurant globally.

Michelin Stars

While Michelin does not cover all of Bangkok with stars, Gaggan’s reputation rivals Michelin 3-star establishments.
Gaggan Anand’s new venture, Gaggan Anand (Bangkok), received two Michelin stars after the original Gaggan closed in 2019.

4. What Makes Gaggan the Best Indian Restaurant in the World?

A. Reinvention of Tradition

Gaggan doesn’t serve butter chicken or naan. Instead, it deconstructs Indian classics into modernist marvels. Every course is an interpretation of emotion, memory, and nostalgia, crafted through avant-garde techniques.

B. Storytelling Through Food

Each dish is not just food—it’s a story. Gaggan incorporates music, theatre, and satire into his dining experience, often making diners laugh, cry, or gasp in wonder.

C. Use of Science and Molecular Gastronomy

Taking cues from El Bulli and Ferran Adrià, Gaggan uses:

Liquid nitrogen
Spherification
Foams and airs
Edible paint and smoke

This isn’t just gimmickry—it enhances flavor, texture, and the element of surprise.

D. Consistency and Evolution

Even after hitting the peak, Gaggan didn’t settle. He closed the original Gaggan in 2019 and launched Gaggan Anand, an even more exclusive and intimate restaurant with only 14 seats, continuing the legacy.

5. Gaggan’s Global Impact on Indian Cuisine

Gaggan’s influence is felt across continents:

Inspiring Chefs: Dozens of Indian chefs now experiment with modern Indian cuisine thanks to Gaggan’s success.
New Wave of Indian Fine Dining: Restaurants like Indian Accent (New Delhi, NYC), Gymkhana (London), and Benares (London) now embrace creativity and minimalism.
Reputation Shift: Gaggan helped change global perceptions—Indian food is no longer cheap or casual; it is art, innovation, and experience.

6. Other Contenders – Indian Restaurants Making Waves Globally

Though Gaggan is widely regarded as the best, several others are close contenders:

A. Indian Accent – New Delhi & New York

Chef Manish Mehrotra
Known for its modern reinterpretation of regional Indian dishes.
Signature dishes: Blue cheese naan, Galouti lamb, Meetha achaar ribs.
Frequently appears in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.

B. Dishoom – London

A Bombay-style Irani café inspired chain.
Celebrated for nostalgic design and comforting dishes.
Not fine dining, but culturally significant in the UK.

C. Gymkhana – London

Michelin-starred Indian restaurant inspired by British-Indian Raj era.
Elegant interiors, club-style ambience, and elevated North Indian dishes.

D. Benares – London

Michelin-starred modern Indian restaurant by Chef Sameer Taneja.
Combines Indian spices with European ingredients and plating finesse.

E. The Bombay Canteen – Mumbai

Innovative regional dishes with seasonal Indian ingredients.
Modern, casual, and critically acclaimed for local sustainability.

7. Comparing Gaggan with Indian Accent and Gymkhana

Feature	Gaggan (Bangkok)	Indian Accent (Delhi/NY)	Gymkhana (London)
Style	Molecular, experimental, theatrical	Contemporary Indian, elegant	Upscale classic Indian
Ambience	Intimate, modern lab-style dining	Chic, cosmopolitan	Raj-era colonial, vintage
Specialty	25-course emoji menu	Blue cheese naan, fusion thalis	Tandoori meats, biryanis
Awards	Asia’s #1, World #4, 2 Michelin stars	Asia’s 50 Best, Top global ranking	1 Michelin star
X-Factor	Surprise, interactivity, bold flavors	Comfort meets elegance	Heritage with finesse

8. Customer Experience and Reviews

Gaggan Anand is not for everyone. Some diners may find it too experimental or pricey. However, food lovers consistently call it:

“A meal of a lifetime”
“A theatrical performance on a plate”
“Mind-blowing flavors in unpredictable forms”

Online ratings:

Google: 4.7/5
TripAdvisor: 5/5
World’s 50 Best: Multiple awards and global mentions

9. The Legacy and Future of Gaggan

Even after stepping down from his original restaurant, Gaggan Anand continues to break boundaries. He is also working on:

GohGan – A collaboration with Japanese chef Takeshi “Goh” Fukuyama in Fukuoka.
Pop-ups and Culinary Shows – Bringing his vision to global stages.

His philosophy:

“Cook with your heart, not your recipe book.”

10. Conclusion: Is Gaggan Truly the Best Indian Restaurant in the World?

The answer is a resounding yes—for those who seek art, emotion, surprise, and evolution in their culinary journey.

While there are many exceptional Indian restaurants globally that honor tradition and offer comfort, Gaggan redefines Indian cuisine entirely, proving it belongs in the company of Michelin-starred French or Japanese restaurants.

From the explosion of yogurt to edible emojis and food theatre, Gaggan Anand’s work is more than cooking—it’s culinary revolution. He doesn’t just serve food; he creates memories, challenges norms, and carries Indian cuisine into the future.