6 Indian cities make TasteAtlas’ 2026 Top 100 list of best food cities in the world, the names will surprise you

India’s culinary identity is evolving — and the world is noticing. TasteAtlas’ Best Food 2026 list features six Indian cities, four dishes and four regions, with Mumbai leading at Rank 5 globally. (Image: Pexels)

There’s something about the distinctive Indian scent has captured the world's attention — the sizzling tempering, the cozy slow-cooked sauces, the magic of mixed spices. Indian food has crossed borders for ages, but now, it's more than just meals; whole Indian cities are gaining worldwide recognition for their cooking.

We often associate Delhi with its bustling chaat lanes, Lucknow with its slow-cooked Awadhi treasures, and Hyderabad with its biryani legacy. Yet on the global stage, it was none of these that rose to the top. Instead, the city that made the world sit up and take notice this year was the ‘City of Dreams’ — Mumbai, clinching 5th place on TasteAtlas’ 100 Best Food Cities in the World, repeating its stellar performance from last year.

And Mumbai wasn’t the lone torchbearer. In fact, five other Indian cities found their place on the list, signalling a broader shift: dishes once guarded as family secrets or known only within regional pockets are now shaping global tastes.

TasteAtlas’ Best Food 2026 rankings — based on 590,228 verified ratings across 16,357 foods — show India emerging as a consistent, multi-category presence.

100 Best Food Cities: Mumbai Leads, Others Follow

Mumbai’s ranking is backed by a parade of signature dishes: the sweet-spicy crunch of bhel puri, the buttery allure of pav bhaji, the ever-iconic vada pav, the comforting ragda pattice, and the festive modak.

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Other Indian cities that made the cut include:

• Amritsar — Rank 48
• New Delhi — Rank 53
• Hyderabad — Rank 54
• Kolkata — Rank 73
• Chennai — Rank 93

The global leaderboard remains Italy-heavy, with Naples, Milan, Bologna and Florence occupying the top four spots.

100 Best Dishes: Amritsari Kulcha Breaks Into the Global Top 20

Among dishes, India scored four big entries, the highest being the beloved Amritsari Kulcha at Rank 17.

Thin, crisp, ghee-laced and speckled with coriander seeds and chilli, the kulcha is more an experience than a meal in Amritsar — each shop turning out tandoor-blistered breads with almost ceremonial precision.

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Other Indian favourites on the list include:

• Butter Chicken — Rank 66
• Hyderabadi Biryani — Rank 72
• Shahi Paneer — Rank 85

Meanwhile, Paraguay’s Vori Vori, Neapolitan pizza, Tajarin, Sate Kambing and Ca kebab took the top five spots globally.

100 Best Food Regions: Southern India Leads the Pack

India also made a mark in the regional rankings, with four entries:

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• Southern India — Rank 40
• West Bengal — Rank 73
• Maharashtra — Rank 76
• Kerala — Rank 97

TasteAtlas recommends essentials such as Hyderabadi Biryani, Masala Dosa, Nethili Fry, and Karimeen Pollichathu. Kerala receiving a separate spot — despite belonging to South Indian cuisine — highlights its distinct culinary identity shaped by coastal produce and spice-route history.

100 Best Cuisines: India Ranks 13th

Indian cuisine ranked 13th this year, just a notch below last year’s position. The guide’s recommended must-tries include Butter Garlic Naan, Amritsari Kulcha, Parotta, Tandoori Chicken and Korma.

Topping the charts globally were Italy, Greece, Peru, Portugal and Spain.

These rankings show a change in how people around the globe view Indian cuisine. No longer boxed into clichés of being “too spicy” or “too rich,” Indian cuisine is now recognised for its regional nuance, technique, ingredients and innovation. From street-side classics to modern Indian pizzerias and experimental bars, the country’s culinary narrative is expanding — and the world is clearly paying attention.