About the award

The NDTV Food Awards 2025 is where culinary excellence meets celebration, bringing together food enthusiasts and industry connoisseurs to honour the very best in India’s dynamic food scene. This prestigious event spotlights everything from delectable delicacies to ground-breaking innovations, celebrating the rich diversity of flavours that define our culinary landscape.

A hallmark of excellence and creativity in the food and beverage industry, the NDTV Food Awards recognises individuals and establishments that set new benchmarks in quality, innovation and experience. Open to restaurants, cafes, bars, breweries, and more, these awards celebrate the leaders shaping the future of Indian gastronomy.

The journey to the top begins with a regional round covering North, East, West and South India, where the top 10 contenders in each category are shortlisted by a panel of tastemakers and the NDTV Food editorial team. These finalists then face off in the grand finale, where an esteemed jury felicitates the ultimate winners in each category. Join us in celebrating culinary brilliance and the visionaries redefining India’s food and beverage landscape.

Selection Process

The NDTV Food Awards 2025 follows a comprehensive and transparent selection process to ensure the best in the food and beverage industry are recognised for their excellence. Here’s how the process works:

  1. Submission Review

    Once entries are submitted, they are thoroughly reviewed to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria for the selected categories. Submissions are evaluated based on the information and materials provided during registration.

  2. Regional Ratings

    The competition begins with a regional evaluation covering North, East + Central, West and South India. During this phase:

    • A panel comprising NDTV Food’s editorial team, a process partner and regional tastemakers carefully assesses all eligible entries.
    • The top 10 contenders in each category are shortlisted from each region based on their culinary innovation, quality and overall contribution to the industry.

  3. Grand Finale Shortlisting

    The top 10 from each category across all regions are automatically advanced to the grand finale. These regional finalists represent the best in their respective fields and regions.

  4. Grand Jury Evaluation

    During the finale, an esteemed panel of jurors, including renowned food critics, culinary experts, food writers and industry leaders, evaluates the finalists. The jury considers various factors, such as:

    • Quality and consistency
    • Innovation and creativity
    • Customer experience and feedback
    • Contribution to the food and beverage industry

  5. Final Winners

    From the regional finalists, the jury selects one winner in each category, who will be felicitated during the grand awards ceremony in March 2025

The process is designed to ensure fairness and celebrate excellence across diverse categories, offering an opportunity for the best establishments to shine on a national stage.

Food Image
Categories' Description

  • Recognising casual dining restaurants that specialize in distinctive regional Indian cuisines (excluding North and South Indian), offering authentic dishes with quality ingredients, friendly service, and a comfortable ambiance while maintaining high standards of taste and value. (Average price for two up to Rs 1999, without alcohol)

  • Recognising new casual bars that have quickly gained popularity for their great drinks, casual atmosphere, and exceptional service. The bar must have begun operations after December 31, 2023.
    (Average price for two up to Rs 3499, with food and alcohol)

  • Recognising new premium bars that stand out for their exceptional cocktails, high-quality drinks, and luxurious atmosphere. The bar must have begun operations after December 31, 2023. (Average price for two: Rs 3500/- and above, including food and alcohol)

  • Recognising new casual dining establishments that have made a significant impact with their creative menus, exceptional service, and warm atmosphere. The restaurant must have begun operations after December 31, 2023. (Average price for two up to Rs 1999, without alcohol)

  • Recognising new fine dining restaurants that have quickly gained recognition for their high-quality offerings, exceptional service, and luxurious ambiance. The restaurant must have begun operations after December 31, 2023. (Average price for two: Rs 2000/- and above, without alcohol)

  • Recognising casual bakeries and patisseries that offer delicious and wholesome baked goods with a focus on quality and great customer service. (Average price for two up to Rs 1499, without alcohol)

  • Recognising upscale bakeries and patisseries that offer a variety of high-quality baked goods, exceptional craftsmanship, and a luxurious experience. (Average price for two up to Rs 1500/- and above, without alcohol)

  • Recognising restaurants that emphasize locally sourced, fresh ingredients in their dishes, offering high-quality food with a focus on sustainability.

  • Recognising bars with unique concepts or themes that stand out for their creativity in offering memorable experiences and exceptional drinks.

  • Recognising microbreweries that offer unique, high-quality craft beers with a focus on creativity, quality brewing practices, and a welcoming environment.

  • Recognising standalone nightclubs offering a fun and lively atmosphere, great music, and excellent service for vibrant nightlife experience.

  • Recognising high-end nightclubs in 5-star hotels that offer top-tier entertainment, service, and a luxurious environment for a vibrant nightlife experience.

  • Recognising casual bars that serve creative and well-crafted cocktails in a relaxed, friendly environment with a focus on great customer experience. (Average price for two up to Rs 3499, including food and alcohol)

  • Recognising upscale cocktail bars known for exceptional cocktail creativity, top-quality ingredients, and impeccable service. (Average price for two: Rs 3500/- and above, including food and alcohol)

  • Recognising casual dining venues offering diverse, high-quality all-day menus in a relaxed environment, providing exceptional value and service. (Average price for two up to Rs 1999, without alcohol)

  • Recognising premium dining establishments that offer high-quality meals throughout the day, with outstanding service and a sophisticated atmosphere. (Average price for two: Rs 2000/- and above, without alcohol)

  • Recognising premium dining establishments that feature at least three Asian cuisines (excluding Indian), offering exceptional culinary experiences, sophisticated service, and a luxurious ambiance. (Average price for two: Rs 2000/- and above, without alcohol)

  • Recognising premium restaurants that specialize in distinctive regional Indian cuisines (excluding North and South Indian), offering exceptional dishes made with quality ingredients, top-tier service, and a refined dining environment for a luxurious and authentic culinary experience. (Average price for two: Rs 2000/- and above, without alcohol)

  • Recognising casual dining restaurants that specialize in South Indian cuisine, offering authentic dishes, friendly service, and a comfortable ambiance while maintaining high standards of quality and value. (Average price for two up to Rs 1999, without alcohol)

  • Recognising premium restaurants that specialize in South Indian cuisine, offering high-quality dishes, exceptional service, and a luxurious ambiance for a refined dining experience. (Average price for two: Rs 2000/- and above, without alcohol)

  • Recognising casual dining spots serving modern Indian cuisine with fresh, creative twists on traditional flavours in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. (Average price for two up to Rs 1999, without alcohol)

  • Recognising premium restaurants offering a contemporary twist on Indian cuisine, with innovative dishes, exceptional service, and a luxurious dining experience. (Average price for two: Rs 2000/- and above, without alcohol)

  • Recognising casual Italian dining establishments that offer high-quality, wholesome and hearty Italian food in a friendly and comfortable setting. (Average price for two up to Rs 1999, without alcohol)
     

  • Recognising Italian restaurants that provide an extraordinary fine dining experience with gourmet Italian cuisine, exceptional service, and an elegant atmosphere. (Average price for two: Rs 2000/- and above, without alcohol)
     

  • Recognising casual dining establishments that specialize in a specific Asian cuisine (such as Thai, Japanese, Korean, etc.), excluding Indian and Chinese. These restaurants offer a relaxed yet high-quality dining experience, featuring authentic flavours, fresh ingredients, and flavourful dishes at an affordable price. (Average price for two up to Rs 1999, without alcohol)

  • Recognising premium dining establishments that specialize in a specific Asian cuisine (such as Thai, Japanese, Korean, etc.), excluding Indian and Chinese. These restaurants deliver an exceptional culinary experience, with high-quality ingredients, expert preparation, and exquisite presentation. (Average price for two: Rs 2000/- and above, without alcohol)

  • Recognising casual dining establishments that serve authentic North Indian dishes, offering high-quality food in a warm, inviting, and relaxed atmosphere. (Average price for two up to Rs 1999, without alcohol)
     

  • Recognising high-end North Indian restaurants that offer exceptional North Indian dishes, providing an outstanding culinary experience with premium service and a refined, luxurious setting. (Average price for two: Rs 2000/- and above, without alcohol)

  • Recognising casual Chinese restaurants that provide flavourful dishes, excellent service, and a relaxed, inviting atmosphere at an affordable price point. (Average price for two up to Rs 1999, without alcohol)
     

  • Recognising fine dining Chinese establishments that offer an exceptional menu, top-tier service, and an upscale dining environment. (Average price for two: Rs 2000/- and above, without alcohol)
     

  • Recognising Pan Asian restaurants that feature at least three Asian cuisines (excluding Indian), offering a casual yet high-quality dining experience with a diverse menu, welcoming atmosphere, and affordable prices. (Average price for two up to Rs 1999, without alcohol)

Faq

    • Applicants must belong to the food and beverage industry (restaurants, bars, breweries, etc.).
    • The organisation must have been operational for at least one year by January 1, 2025. For any New Entrants category, the establishment must have opened between January 2024 and December 2024.
    • Specific criteria for each category is detailed on the About page. 

    • Entry-related queries: foodawards@ndtv.com
    • Marketing and sponsorship related queries: marketing.awards@ndtv.com
    • Payment-related queries: payment.awards@ndtv.com

  • Shortlisted entries will be notified via email and announced on NDTV Food's website and social media channels.

  • At present, NDTV Food Awards are open only to Indian establishments.

  • Payment can be made via an online payment gateway, using your credit/debit cards, net banking, and UPI.

  • No, submissions cannot be edited once the payment is processed. Please review your entry carefully before submitting it.

    • Entries should be submitted in English.
    • Supplementary materials must not exceed 1MB each.

  • The country is divided into four regions for the awards:

    1. North Region: Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi NCR, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
    2. West Region: Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa.
    3. Central + East Region: Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and the north-eastern states (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura).
    4. South Region: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.
     

  • No, each location of a restaurant requires a separate entry. You may enter as many restaurants of different locations with separate entry forms.

  • The regions include North, West, South, and East + Central combined as one.

  • Yes, winners from the previous edition can participate in the current awards.

  • The NDTV Food Awards are a prestigious celebration of excellence and innovation in the food and beverage industry. These awards aim to recognise and honour individuals and establishments that set new standards in culinary experiences, creativity, and quality.

    Open to a wide range of participants, including restaurants, cafes, bars, breweries, and other establishments in the food and beverage sector, the awards are designed to acknowledge industry leaders who meet the specific eligibility criteria outlined for each award category.

    The awards process begins with a regional round, covering North, East + Central, West, and South India. In this phase, the top 10 contenders in each category from every region will be shortlisted by a panel of tastemakers and the NDTV Food editorial team. These regional finalists will then compete in the grand finale, where the NDTV Food Awards jury will select one winner from each category, felicitating them as the best in their field.

  • The NDTV Food Awards jury includes renowned food critics, writers, and culinary experts. Click here for the full list of jury members and regional tastemakers.

  • Submission does not guarantee nomination. All nominations are subject to the verification process of entry criteria as well as the jury's evaluation and scoring process.

  • Yes, each time you nominate your establishment for more than one category, a corresponding fee will apply for each additional category. However, if you choose to nominate your establishment in three or more categories, you will receive a 20% discount on the total nomination fee.

  • Yes, you can nominate your establishment(s) in multiple categories and regions if you believe they meet the respective criteria. This allows you to showcase your strengths across various areas and maximise your chances of recognition.

  • Submissions received by the deadline will be reviewed based on a pre-defined criteria. You will need to nominate your establishment(s) based on the region where it is located. The first round of regionals will be vetted by the NDTV Food Editorial team and the process partner, and finally by the regional tastemakers. The top 10 in each category from every region will then be automatically nominated for the finale, scheduled for March 2025. The final nominees will be shortlisted by the Awards Grand Jury, which includes industry experts, food writers, and food critics. 

  • You are required to share details regarding your establishment and contact information, including but not limited to the following:

    • Name of the restaurant/cafe/bar/brewery/bakery
    • Category of participation
    • Contact details
    • A brief description (up to 300 words) highlighting your achievements and relevance to the chosen category
    • Supporting materials such as images, videos, menu, social media links etc.

    • Visit the NDTV Food Awards registration page.
    • Choose the category(ies) in which you would like to nominate your establishment(s) and fill in the required details about your organisation and contact information.
    • Complete the payment to confirm your submission.

  • Registration Fee Per Category: INR 7,999/- + GST

    • Entry: January 22, 2025 onwards
    • Last Date For Entries: February 16, 2025
    • Awards Night: March 22, 2025

  • The NDTV Food Awards 2025 will take place in March 2025 in Goa. Details about the venue will be announced closer to the event.