Top 5 Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2025 Nominees For Best Indian Regional Restaurants

Not long ago, Amritsari kulchas and Masala dosas were among the top go-to dishes when someone mentioned regional Indian food. Now, though, a little but remarkable wave of restaurants throughout India are opening their doors to showcase long-forgotten cuisine from all across the nation, all because of a slew of creative chefs and restaurateurs who are pining for homely foods. This category is an effort to highlight eateries in India that are bringing back long-forgotten tastes from all throughout the country!

Here are the 5 best Indian regional restaurants nominated for this category

Comorin

This contemporary Indian eatery's success has always been attributed to its innovative approach to traditional comfort dishes. From the Vada pav, a street food classic in Mumbai, to the Sarson ka saag, a Punjabi dish, Chef Manish Mehrotra has created a menu full of traditional tastes prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients. 

Comorin stands out not just for the quality of its ingredients but also for the way it presents them. On the spirits and drinks front, you'll find dishes like Walnut sour, Nitro rum punch, and Khus vermouth negroni, all of which include house-made bitters and mixers. You may also get spirits created here, such as Khus vermouth, Fennel liqueur, and Vanilla cognac, all of which are great in cocktails or on their own. Sleek and contemporary meets their commitment to preserving regional dishes at this restaurant!

Malgudi Mylari Mane

The small, simple eatery uses traditional recipes from the Cauvery area to provide genuine native Karnataka food. The home-style vegetarian and non-vegetarian Karnataka cuisine at this tiny restaurant has made it a hit in Koramangala in no time. Indulge in the mutton pulav, chicken curries, and paya soup, or try the easy-to-digest idlis, akki roti, and veggie stews. 

Popular meals include pulavs, curries, thatte idlis, and other meat dishes; the Mysuru Mylari dosa is the restaurant's trademark, and it comes with a dollop of butter and a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian sides.

Kari Apla

Kari Apla takes the greatest regional delicacies from both the Konkani and Keralite cuisines and combines them into a wonderful masterpiece! This 20-seater venue in Bandra is a great spot to enjoy this unique blended cuisine! At Kari Apla, the tastes are authentic, and the regional mixes made with contemporary technology aren't fussy or sloppy. 

A masala omelette, reminiscent of the famous dish at Nair Mess in Chennai, is topped with a typical version of the yellow, sweet-spicy coconut milk curry from Kerala. This makes for an omelette moilee. Bombay pao, which is light and airy, acts as a sponge for the flavourful curry, while tomato slices give it firmness and lightness.

What To Expect At The Third Edition Of Zee Zest Unlimit Awards, 2025

Adaa, Taj Falaknuma Palace

The Taj Falaknuma Palace's crown jewel, Adaa, is perched above the glittering lights of Hyderabad. The ambience and menu of this fine dining establishment embody the essence of the opulent Nizam lifestyle. Guests can enjoy a guided tour of the palace's historical sites before their lunch, afternoon tea, or dinner service. 

Dine under the glimmer of crystal and chandeliers as you pass artworks depicting royal hunting adventures and breathtaking mirrors. A variety of wines, cocktails, and sorbets are served with delicate kebabs, creamy curries, and flavourful biryanis. Famous dishes include the Nizam's beloved Pathar ka gosht, which is grilled on a hot granite stone after marinating for 48 hours.

Rynsan 

Rynsan, located in a renovated bungalow in the Assam style, serves contemporary takes on traditional dishes from the indigenous Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia peoples of Meghalaya and the bordering states of Nagaland and Mizoram. The culinary expertise of the ethnic cultures guides the development of the cuisine with a modern touch! 

For some extra spice and variety, try some of the seasonal pickles like the Mizo bamboo shoot and the Khasi bird's eye chilli pickle. Delicious Putharo sliders, Jaiur wings, Banana blossom stew, Wild perilla pasta with smoked pork, Tangy chicken and Bamboo stalk soup, Wild fern salad, Jaiur, and the Rynsan fish cakes are some of their most well-known appetisers.

These regional restaurants are bringing awareness and accolades to some of India’s best-kept culinary secrets! By combining modern flair with traditional recipes, these restaurants are pioneering a culinary revolution that preserves rich Indian culinary history.