Indibar And Nadu Named Semifinalists For James Beard Best New Restaurant Award
Photo: Chef Partner Nigel J. Lobo and Chef Ajay Singh of Indibar
India-West News Desk
NEW YORK, NY – Several Indian inspired restaurants and restaurateurs have earned national recognition as semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards, underscoring the growing influence of Indian cuisine across the United States.
Those named on January 21 by the James Beard Foundation , based here, have taken Indian fare up a notch with innovation and scanning their eyes across all the cuisines of India.
In the Best New Restaurant category, INDIBAR, a modern Indian restaurant in Arizona, has been named a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist. It has drawn attention for its elevated take on Indian street food, featuring inspired chaats, regional specialties, and contemporary creations. The restaurant is led by Chef Partner Nigel J. Lobo, who brings experience from Michelin starred kitchens in Europe, alongside Chef Ajay Singh, an internationally experienced tandoor specialist. The menu highlights street inspired chaats, tandoor preparations, and regional dishes designed to reflect the diversity of India’s culinary landscape.
Another Indian restaurant concept drawing national attention is Nadu, meaning homeland, by Chef Sujan Sarkar. The restaurant emphasizes regional Indian cuisines, presenting dishes that range from Hyderabadi biryani and Kerala curries to Delhi street snacks and coastal specialties from Goa. Nadu’s approach blends traditional Indian spices with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, offering what the team describes as an authentic yet contemporary dining experience that reflects the cultural and gastronomic breadth of India.
In the Outstanding Restaurateur category, Srijith Gopinathan and Ayesha Thapar were named semifinalists for their work at Ettan, Copra, and Eylan, with locations across Palo Alto, San Francisco, Los Altos, and Menlo Park, California.
Also recognized in the same category were Meherwan Irani and Molly Irani of the Chai Pani Restaurant Group, which includes Chai Pani and Botiwalla in Asheville, North Carolina.
Winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
