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The Art of Hospitality Award 2026, a distinguished pre-announced honour in the run-up to Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, has been awarded to Masque. As determined by more than 350 members of the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants Academy, the award honours the eatery that has provided the most exceptional hospitality experience throughout Asia during the previous 18 months. A trailblazer of contemporary Indian cuisine, Masque was established in 2016 by Aditi Dugar and is renowned for its 10-course tasting menus that feature ingredients that are obtained locally and seasonally. According to Dugar, the honour underlines the group's dedication to hospitality, which is characterised by thoughtfulness, giving, and modesty.
Under the direction of head chef Varun Totlani, Masque selects hyperlocal foods from all around India and uses contemporary techniques to reimagine them. Masque Lab, its research and development area, combines traditional Indian cuisine with international flavours and serves as a private dining area for 14 people. The restaurant keeps reinventing modern Indian food with its creative tasting menus and imaginative, season-driven beverages. Masque's victory honours not just outstanding service but also the entire hospitality ecosystem the restaurant has established around contemporary Indian cuisine. Masque now joins the distinguished list of past Art of Hospitality Award winners, which also includes Toyo Eatery, chef Thitid "Tonne" Tassanakajohn's Nusara, and chef Björn Frantzén's Zén.
How Maque Set New Benchmarks In 2026
Mumbai, India’s bustling financial and cultural hub, is renowned for its rich tapestry of food experiences. From iconic street food like vada pav and pani puri to opulent fine dining restaurants that have been acknowledged as the best, Mumbai has something for everyone. Among the best fine diners, Masque, Mumbai, created history in 2026. Masque is a wilderness-to-table restaurant that is set in the mill lands of Mumbai. With freshly sourced local ingredients, Masque offers a seasonal menu which is set to please Indian and International palettes. The vision behind Masque was clear as they wanted to create a space where local ingredients take centre stage, presented in a contemporary, avant-garde style.
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Owing to the mission, to date, the menu of Masque features food that is in its prime. Not just locally sourced, some of the ingredients used are grown in Masque’s farms, promising the best quality and nutritional value. If you are someone who strongly believes in sustainability, you can join Masque’s mission to serve local ingredients and extract maximum flavour from the wealth of Indian produce.
It was given a special honour in advance of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 in appreciation of this. Over 350 members of the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants Academy cast their votes for the award. Aditi made her passion for cooking her career. Since then, the restaurant has developed into one of the most talked-about eating destinations in India. You can rely on the staff to make each meal seem unique by utilising local, seasonal, and even foraged ingredients.
The Menu Of A Modern Indian Kitchen
Every meal served here, from pulled pork and soft shell crab to decadent sweets, feels well prepared. The wine and beverage choices only enhance their Sunday brunch, which is a mood. This restaurant is ideal for special dates, celebrations, or just pampering yourself because of its romantic dining atmosphere and personalised menus. These meals are not your usual Indian fare. Rather, Masque offers diners a sense of India's essence via the prism of contemporary culinary art as it takes them on a gourmet trip between the beaches of Goa and the woods of Kashmir.
“The restaurant’s 10-course chef’s tasting menus - a first of its kind in India – marry tradition and innovation; as the seasons change, so do the menus, defined by ingredients sourced from local farmers, producers, and foraging trips,” reads the speciality of Masque, Mumbai. Some of the all-time favourites of the patrons include Duck Hot Dog, a traditional Indian thali, Mulberry and Nendran, Mud Crab, Pomelo, Oysters, coconut sorbet, and much more. While the seasonal menu is a set ten-course meal, you can pick from their wide range of spirits and cocktails for a perfectly paired, elaborate meal.
In addition to inspiring the restaurant's creative meals, Maque Lab, this hidden kitchen doubles as a private dining area for special, small gatherings. Here, traditional spices and ingredients are combined with modern cooking methods to create a mix of flavours that is completely changing the way we think about Indian food. A culinary playground, The Masque Lab continuously pushes the limits of what is conceivable in the realm of gourmet cuisine.
Before this year's Asia's 50 Best Restaurants awards event, which will take place for the first time in Hong Kong on March 25, 2026, at the Kerry Hotel, the Art of Hospitality Award is the second of three pre-announced categories. This award honours how Masque has incorporated hospitality into its very DNA, resulting in intimate and engaging dining experiences, rather than merely focusing on the technical parts of service. You are treated like family when you visit Masque, and every little detail is meticulously planned for you.
