NDTV Food Awards 2026: Aminia Wins Historic Restaurant of India

The NDTV Food Awards 2026 has named Aminia as the Historic Restaurant of India, honouring the iconic Kolkata institution celebrated for its Kolkata biryani and Mughlai cuisine. The award brought a memorable close to an evening recognising the best talents across India's culinary world.

NDTV Food Awards 2026: Kolkata's Aminia Takes the Top Historic Title

At the NDTV Food Awards 2026, the award was presented by NDTV CEO and Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal, jury chair Vir Sanghvi, and celebrated chef and restaurateur Asma Khan. Before announcing the winner, Asma Khan shared a deeply personal story that instantly connected the room to the spirit of the award.

She recalled how her grandfather, after losing her grandmother, stopped visiting most places they once frequented together. One restaurant remained the exception. Till his final years, her grandfather kept returning because the kebab was simply worth it, even without his wife beside him.

The story was a powerful reminder that some restaurants carry meaning far beyond the food they serve. Asma added that the NDTV Food Awards 2026 historic title celebrated not just Aminia's legacy, but also the city of Kolkata itself.

NDTV Food Awards 2026: Fourth Generation Accepts the Historic Restaurant Award

The Historic Restaurant of India award was received by Azra Asher Ather, Director of Sales and Marketing, and Kabir Mohammed Asher, Director and Partner, both representing the fourth generation of the founding family behind Aminia Kolkata.

Vir Sanghvi noted that Aminia has managed to preserve not just its history but also the Mughlai cuisine flavours that generations of diners have come to love over nearly a century.

Accepting the honour, Kabir shared the fascinating story of how Kolkata biryani evolved. Biryani traditions originally brought from Uttar Pradesh were gradually adapted to suit local tastes, growing milder over time and eventually gaining the iconic potato that now sets Kolkata biryani apart from all others. Over the decades, Kolkata made the dish entirely its own.

Aminia Kolkata: Nearly a Century of Mughlai Cuisine Legacy

Aminia Kolkata's story began in 1929, when founder Abdul Rahim started a small food cart after bringing Mughlai cuisine traditions from Dariabad near Lucknow. That modest venture grew into one of Eastern India's most beloved restaurant brands, now operating 11 outlets across the city.

Despite its growth, Aminia has always kept its focus on consistency. The restaurant is now run by the fourth generation of the founding family, while the sons and nephews of the original ustaads continue carrying forward the same recipes and techniques that first made Aminia famous for its Kolkata biryani, mutton rezala and kebabs.

Known for its Kolkata biryani, mutton rezala, kebabs and other Mughlai cuisine classics, Aminia has spent nearly 97 years serving dishes that generations have grown up eating. Winning the Historic Restaurant of India title at the NDTV Food Awards 2026 was a fitting tribute to an institution that has truly stood the test of time.

For more award coverage, read our complete list of NDTV Food Awards 2026 winners. For further details, visit the official NDTV website.