A 10-course tasting menu is often said to be more of a performance than an introduction to gastronomy. But at Mumbai’s Masque, it’s a conversation. That philosophy has just earned the restaurant one of the most
coveted titles in the industry: the Art of Hospitality Award 2026, pre-announced in the lead-up to Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Voted on by over 350 industry experts, the award doesn’t just look at how well a plate is garnished; it looks at the invisible threads that connect a diner to the kitchen. For Masque, located in the industrial-chic bones of a former textile mill, this win is a decade in the making.
The History Of Masque
Founded in 2016 by entrepreneur Aditi Dugar, Masque was born from a desire to redefine what modern Indian food could be. But on receiving this award, Dugar made it clear that innovation means nothing without humility. “It feels incredible to bring home this award in our tenth year,” Dugar said. “It reaffirms what we’ve been trying to achieve since we opened our doors, to treat every guest with care, generosity, and the utmost humility.”
Led by Head Chef Varun Totlani, the team at Masque doesn’t just wait for ingredients to arrive at their door. They forage for them. From the forests of Kashmir to the coastlines of Goa, the team extracts hyperlocal flavors to create dishes that are as intellectual as they are delicious. Think prickly pear with nagphani or a refined twist on the Gujarati favorite ponkh bhel, enriched with Goan seaweed.
But the “Art of Hospitality” happens in the interaction. Whether it’s in the main dining room or the intimate Masque Lab, an R&D space that doubles as a private dining room for 14, the service is designed to be seamless and personalised.
The Road To Hong Kong
A spokesperson for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants noted that hospitality at Masque is “soulful and deeply human,” recognizing the restaurant’s ability to create intimate, interactive moments that stay with a guest long after the last cocktail is finished.
Masque now joins an elite circle of past winners, including Manila’s Toyo Eatery and Bangkok’s Nusara. As the culinary world prepares to descend on Hong Kong on March 25, 2026, for the official awards ceremony, Mumbai’s pioneer is already walking tall with a trophy.
