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Indian restaurants, chefs among 2026 James Beard semifinalists
This year’s list includes Indian-origin chefs and restaurant groups whose work ranges from street food to regional cooking and contemporary interpretations of Indian cuisine.
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Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 22, Jan 2026
- 16:30 EST
- 26
(Top L-R) Srijith Gopinathan and Ayesha Thapar, Molly Irani and Meherwan Irani/ (Bottom L-R) Indibar, Nadu / (Top L-R) eylanrestaurant.com, LinkedIn/ Bottom (L-R) Indibar, Nadu
Several Indian restaurants and restaurateurs have been selected as semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards, one of the most prestigious American culinary awards.
This year’s list includes Indian-origin chefs and restaurant groups whose work ranges from street food to regional cooking and contemporary interpretations of Indian cuisine.
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Srijith Gopinathan and Ayesha Thapar were named semifinalists in the Outstanding Restaurateur category for their restaurant group, which includes Ettan, Copra and Eylan across California’s Bay Area.
Ettan, based in Palo Alto, is known for presenting Indian flavors through a contemporary California lens, combining regional Indian dishes with locally sourced ingredients. Copra continues that approach with seasonally changing menus rooted in Indian culinary traditions, while Eylan in Menlo Park focuses on wood-fired, season-driven cooking that blends Indian techniques with regional produce.
In the same category, Meherwan Irani and Molly Irani of the Chai Pani Restaurant Group were recognized for their work with Chai Pani and Botiwalla.
Chai Pani, which began in Asheville, North Carolina, built its reputation around Indian street food and casual small plates and won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2022. Botiwalla draws inspiration from Irani cafés and street-side grills in India, focusing on kababs, snacks and informal dining.
Two India-inspired restaurants were selected in the Best New Restaurant category.
Indibar in Scottsdale, Arizona, which opened in early 2025, has positioned itself as a modern Indian restaurant with a focus on both food and cocktails. The restaurant is led by executive chef Nigel Lobo and chef de cuisine Ajay Negi, and its menu draws on classical Indian flavors while using contemporary presentation.
Nadu, a popular regional Indian restaurant in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood and a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, was named a semifinalist for its emphasis on regional Indian cuisine.
The restaurant is led by chef Sujan Sarkar, who also runs the Michelin-starred Indienne. Nadu’s menu is organized around dishes from different parts of India, including coastal southern cooking and northern street food traditions.
The James Beard Awards, established in 1990, recognise chefs, restaurateurs and food professionals across the United States. Finalists for the 2026 awards will be announced on March 31, and the winners will be named at a ceremony in Chicago on June 15.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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