SAFFRON, SUMAC AND STORYTELLING

With storytelling, ingredient authenticity, and regional nuance at the forefront, a handful of high-end restaurants in India are reshaping perceptions of Middle Eastern food-from casual staples to cultural statements.

- DEEPALI NANDWANI

There's more to Middle Eastern cuisine than we realise. Yes, there's labneh, falafel, hummus, and pita bread. But the food from this region-which spans the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq-goes far beyond these familiar staples.

Indians, even the less adventurous, have long been connoisseurs of Middle Eastern cuisine. Its bold flavours, aromatic spices, and hearty dishes have earned it a special place in the country's culinary landscape. Yet, in India, our experience of the cuisine has largely remained limited to hummus platters and falafel.

Till now. A new wave of fine-dining restaurants-both standalone venues and those housed in luxury hotels-is shifting the narrative. These places are pushing the boundaries of tradition, serving inventive dishes that offer a plethora of flavours and reveal the true depth and diversity of Middle Eastern culinary heritage.

Here are our favourites from across India.

SOUK

THE TAJ MAHAL PALACE MUMBAI

Perched on the rooftop of The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, with a bird's-eye view of the Arabian Sea, Souk is an IHCL classic. "What sets us apart is the authenticity of our recipes, many of which are guided by our Syrian masterchef, ensuring true-to-origin flavours," says Executive Chef Amit Chowdhary.