Bombay biryani and ice halwa helps Mumbai rank 5th in world's best food cities: TasteAtlas

Mumbai's speacialties: Bombay biryani and ice halwa. This variety if biryani consists of layers of flavored basmati rice, potatoes, chunks of chicken or mutton, alongside some fried onions, mint leaves, and dried plums. Ice halwa, on the other hand, is a dessert made with milk, starch or flour, and various flavorings and toppings. It comes in the form of thinly rolled square-shaped sheets. (Image credit: TasteAtlas)

Mumbai has secured a spot among the world’s top five food cities, according to the latest TasteAtlas rankings, making it the only Indian destination in the global top 10. The report, published by TasteAtlas, celebrates Mumbai’s vibrant street-food culture and rich culinary traditions. The global food guide ranks cities, dishes, and cuisines based on local specialties and traditional recipes.

It highlighted Mumbai’s signature dishes, including pav bhaji, vada pav, modak, ragda pattice, Bombay biryani, ice halwa, bombil fry, Bombay sandwich, amba, and bhelpuri. The platform also recommended iconic eateries such as Leopold Cafe, Ram Ashraya, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, Nawab Saheb, Cafe Madras, Baba Falooda, The Bombay Canteen, Gurukripa, Khyber, and Namak, which showcase the depth of Mumbai’s food culture.

Beyond street snacks, traditional restaurants like Ram Ashraya, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, and Cafe Madras were singled out for preserving Mumbai’s culinary heritage.

"From 18,828 cities in our database, based on 590,228 valid food ratings for 16,357 foods, these 100 cities stand out with the highest average ratings for the regional and national dishes most commonly served there," TasteAtlas stated.

Other Indian cities in global rankings

Mumbai is not India’s sole representative on the global culinary map. Other cities featured in the TasteAtlas list include Amritsar (48th), New Delhi (53rd), Hyderabad (54th), Kolkata (73rd), and Chennai (93rd). Each city earned recognition for its distinct food identity:

• Amritsar for Punjabi staples such as Amritsari kulcha and sarson ka saag
• Delhi for dal makhani and butter chicken
• Hyderabad for its famed Biryani and Nizami-era dishes
• Kolkata for rasgulla and kathi rolls
• Chennai for dosa, idli, and traditional South Indian fare
• Hyderabad’s biryani also ranked among the world’s top 50 rice dishes, underscoring its global appeal

Indian cuisine among world’s best

Indian cuisine as a whole secured the 13th spot among the world’s 100 best cuisines in the TasteAtlas Awards 2025/26, reinforcing the country’s growing influence on global gastronomy.