zeezest

Restaurants that honour the Japanese culinary traditions, flavours, cooking techniques and art of presentation while introducing diners to the simplicity of seasonal ingredients and diverse meal styles.

Best Japanese Restaurant

RRR - Rich, Regional, Ravishing. Like regional cinema, regional cuisine too is making waves across the country. Restaurants that place value on hyper-local and feature lesser-known regional cuisines

Best Regional Indian Restaurant

Beauty with function. Design is integral, the first thing we notice, engage with... it tells a story and stays long after we leave a place. From the door to the furnishing to the light fixtures that give you warmth and privacy to the architecture that doesn't disturb the past but merges with the functional needs of the present. 

Best Designed Restaurant

When you are not just a 'New' Restaurant but 'Neo' -The One, who despite being less than 6 months old has already grabbed the eyes, ears and tastebuds of the cognoscenti, press, critics and social media.

Best New Restaurant 

Deals, dates or diaries - a lot happens over a cuppa here! Apart from offering a variety of options and skilled execution in beverages, the food is well-paired with the beverage menu to offer a complete dining experience in a comfortable and cozy setting. 

Best Cafe

A restaurant that celebrates Asian culture in the truest form. From aromatic curries to perfectly grilled meats, the menu is a work of art that tantalises the taste buds and transports diners on a gastronomic journey.

Best Asian Restaurant

No 'beetling around the bush! Lettuce celebrate the menu with the green dot and find the G.O.A.T. minus the meat! 

Best Vegetarian Restaurant

A celebration of authentic Thai flavours that transport you straight to Bangkok’s bustling streets and Chiang Mai’s serene kitchens. This category honours a restaurant that masters the balance of spice, sweetness, and soul in every dish. From comforting curries to zesty salads, it’s where Thailand truly comes alive on a plate. 

Best Thai Restaurant

A dining space that captures the rich culinary heritage of Europe with finesse and flair. From rustic Mediterranean fare to refined French classics, this restaurant blends tradition with innovation. A true passport to Europe’s most exquisite flavours. 

Best European Restaurant

This award honours a bakery or patisserie that crafts irresistible confections with artistry and precision. From delicate pastries to decadent cakes, every bite is a celebration of joy. 

Best In Dessert

Celebrating the epitome of fine dining where gastronomy meets grandeur. This award recognises a restaurant that redefines indulgence through impeccable service, exquisite plating, and an ambience of sheer sophistication. 

Best Luxury Dining Restaurant

A restaurant that goes beyond the familiar idli, dosa, and upma to showcase the true depth of South Indian cuisine. From regional delicacies and heirloom recipes to inventive reinterpretations, it’s a journey through the southern states on a single table. A bold, flavourful homage to the South’s culinary diversity. 

Best South Indian Restaurant

Raising the bar - literally! An establishment which focuses on its bar before food. The bar and mixologists should be masters of classic cocktails as well as have an evolving beverage menu that focuses on customization, innovation and exemplary service. There should also be a focus on food that complements the drinks. 

Best Cocktail Bar

A space where design and drink craft come together in perfect harmony. This award celebrates a bar that captivates with its ambience, thoughtful interiors, mood lighting, and aesthetic storytelling. A place where every sip feels elevated by the art of design.

Best Designed Cocktail Bar

Celebrating a homegrown spirit that captures the essence of India’s terroir, tradition, and craftsmanship. This award honours a label that redefines local distilling with authenticity, innovation, and character. A true toast to the spirit of India—bottled with pride.

Best Indigenous Spirit

Recognising a whiskey that exemplifies exceptional craftsmanship, character, and balance. This award honours a label that delivers depth of flavour, distinction, and a truly memorable drinking experience.

Best Indian Whisky

Have a Grinder-bender! Only the finest spirits assessed for flavour, quality, aroma, colour, finish and botanicals shall be put to taste and test.

Best Indian Craft Gin

‘A Royal Rum-ble, this. From the subtle sweetness of molasses to the complexity of oak ageing, an Indian rum brand with a distinctive character that sets it apart.

Best Indian Rum

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With over 40 books to her name, Rashmi Uday Singh has established herself as a leading authority on food writing and is a familiar face as a TV anchor, sharing her insights on global cuisine. A recipient of prestigious accolades, including the Chevalier Knighthood and the World Gourmand Award, Singh’s influence extends beyond her writing and television work. She is also the founder of Hospitality Hope, a nonprofit global job portal aimed at empowering the hospitality industry, further showcasing her dedication to both food and social impact.
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Rashmi Uday Singh

A storyteller in his own right, Rakesh is best known for taking people on a journey through his culinary and travel explorations. His interests lie in food history and practices and its interaction with socio-cultural norms. He is also a Zee Zest host for two successful shows—Highway Dreams and 100% South Indian.

Rakesh Raghunathan

Nitin Tewari

Parth Bajaj

Karishma Sakhrani

Chef Natasha Gandhi, a dynamic culinary talent and cocktail enthusiast, gained widespread recognition as a Top 5 finalist on MasterChef India Season 6. With a passion for blending traditional and contemporary flavours, she is the founder of House of Millets, a platform dedicated to promoting nutritious, millet-based dishes, and Drinks with Nats, where she creatively crafts cocktails with a distinct Indian twist. Natasha’s innovative approach to both food and drinks celebrates the richness of Indian ingredients, offering an exciting fusion of flavours that highlight her expertise in the culinary world and her flair for mixology.

Natasha Gandhi

Ruksana Kapadia

Tejaswi Chandela

Ajay is a chef and food consultant. He’s the managing director of Zion Hospitality which is involved in content, culinary training and mentoring food brands. He is also a host of Zee Zest’s shows, India’s 50 Best Dishes, Papad Pickle Aur Pyala and Pattay Ki Baat.

Ajay Chopra

Zeba Kohli

Rahul Akerkar

Rachel Goenka

Mendi

Sadaf Hussain

With a career spanning two decades, Anurag is one of the leading travel writers in India and the founder of Red Scarab Travel & Media. His contributions as a travel writer and co-author of reputable travel guides have undoubtedly enriched the travel community by providing valuable travel advice, recommendations, and insights for a diverse range of travellers. Some of his co-authored Outlook Traveller guides include 52 Weekend Breaks from Bangalore, Kerala Guide, 100 Holidays in the Hills & Trekking Guide to India.

Anurag Mallick

Kalyan Karmakar

Kirti Bhoutika

Ms. Shweta Roy  

Priyanko Sarkar is a beverage expert known for his storytelling-focussed approach towards drinks. An avid bar enthusiast, Sarkar is often found travelling the breath of the country to try the best food and cocktails that the country has to offer. He also conducts beverage-themed heritage walks primarily in Mumbai with a wide variety of audiences in attendance. Sarkar is also the person behind the drinks programme by Mumbai-based Chrome Hospitality's properties such as Gigi, Lyla and Donna Deli along with an upcoming new bar at Todi Mills. 

Priyanko Sarkar

Somanna Muthanna

AD Singh

Kevin Rodrigues

Doma Wang

Priya runs Red Scarab Travel & Media with her husband Anurag Mallick and creates content for the tourism and hospitality industry as a travel influencer and consultant. As a writer, she contributes to various​ leading national and international publications and has also co-authored several travel books and guides such as Michelin, Rough Guides, and for Outlook Traveller.

Zee Zest Unlimit Awards

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