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India’s culinary map is a sprawling tapestry of micro-regional stories, where every spice blend whispers a history and every grain of rice holds a memory. In recent years, our dining landscape has witnessed a profound shift from the generic multi-cuisine menus to a fierce and proud celebration of our roots.
As we gear up for the Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2026, we are turning the spotlight on the trailblazers who are digging deep into the soil for their heritage. These establishments nominated in the category for the “Best Regional Restaurants” are preserving lost recipes, honoring farming communities, and proving that the most modern flavours are often found in our oldest traditions.
1. Amar Khamar Lunch Room, Kolkata
Born from a movement to empower small scale women farmers across Bengal, Amar Khamar, which literally means ‘My Farm’ is a soul stirring celebration of the Bengali pantry. Located in the leafy lanes of Hindustan Road in Kolkata, their Lunch Room is where biodiversity meets the plate. Eschewing commercial shortcuts, they serve forgotten indigenous rice varieties and seasonal produce in a menu that feels like a warm hug from one’s Thakuma. Their Chhuti-Bhat, or the holiday meal is a ritual of slow living that features heirloom ingredients that take you on a journey from the Sunderbans to the hills of North Bengal.
2. Rynsan, Shillong
Nestled in a restored Assam-style bungalow, Rynsan is a masterclass in the nuanced flavours of the Northeast. The Chef and her team have created a space that moves beyond stereotypes to showcase the refined culinary wisdom of Meghalaya and its neighbors. With a focus on homegrown herbs and organic rural produce, dishes like the Dohneiiong and their inventive Neoiong panna cotta bridge the gap between tribal traditions and modern aesthetics. This place is a quiet and powerful testament to the confluence of Indian and Southeast Asian food cultures.
3. OOTA, Bengaluru
At OOTA, the question “Oota aita?”, or “Have you eaten?” makes for the foundation of an epic gastronomical expedition. The team behind this Bengaluru powerhouse travelled over 15,000 kilometers across Karnataka, from the fiery kitchens of the Saujis to the coastal homes of the Navyaths in order to create their very own menu. Whether it’s the iconic Pandi Curry of the Kondavas or the delicate Bangda Upkari, OOTA is a hyper-local sanctuary that captures the true essence of the state’s diverse ethnic communities with absolute precision and heart.
4. Tresind, Mumbai
While the name might suggest a global fusion, Tresind is a powerhouse of modernist Indian dining that uses cutting edge techniques to tell deeply nostalgic stories. Under Chef Sarfaraz Ahmed, the Mumbai outpost has evolved into a space of restraint and reflection. Their tasting menu is a travelogue of the subcontinent. Think Medu Vada waffles with ghee roast glaze or a Chicken Bharta tart inspired by the streets of Kolkata. Tresind is where the familiar becomes fantastical, and regional flavours are elevated to a global stage without losing their soul.
5. Rannaghor by Sienna, Kolkata
If Sienna Cafe is a love letter to Bengal, Rannaghor is its intimate, experimental diary. This 8-seater chef’s table is an exploration of epar and opar Bangla, which is West Bengal and Bangladesh. Chefs Avinandan and Koyel act as culinary researchers here, serving a 13-course degustation that challenges the popularised notions of Bengali food. From the Duck-Kochu drizzled with Sundarban honey to the Mutton Rizala Risotto made with aromatic Karpurkranti rice, Rannaghor is a medium for discourse, using food to preserve the lesser heard narratives of the region.
6. Ikk Panjab, Chandigarh
A fine dining nostalgia trip, Ikk Punjab is a tribute to the undivided spirit of pre-Partition Punjab. Styled as Colonel Sahab ka Ghar, this restaurant is filled with family memorabilia and heirlooms. The menu, helmed by Chef Naresh Kotwal, resurrects lost recipes from Lahore to Rawalpindi. The Kunna Gosht, slow cooked in traditional clay pots, and the Tarn-Taran di Jalebi Rabdi are more than just dishes, they are emotional relics. It is a space that celebrates the resilience and shared heritage of a region through its most comforting, butter laden favours.