Shillong, Oct 6: Meghalaya’s food is now on India’s national plate.
Two Shillong restaurants — Rynsan and Nonna Mei — have made it to Condé Nast Traveller x District Top Restaurant Awards 2026 Top 50 list released on Monday.
Rynsan jumped to 32nd rank, up from 49th in 2025. Nonna Mei debuted at 44th.
Shillong was one of the smallest cities to bag two spots in a list decided by a 105-member jury of chefs, writers, designers and entrepreneurs in two rounds, with Deloitte as process advisors.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma congratulated both, saying they showcase “diversity, creativity and sophistication” of Meghalaya’s food culture and that the state’s flavours are “making their mark on the national culinary map.”
The two take different routes to the same goal.
Rynsan, in a restored Assam-type bungalow, reinterprets Garo, Khasi, Jaintia traditions with Nagaland, Mizoram, Burma and Thailand influences.
Nonna Mei plates Italy with Meghalaya. Chef Niyati Rao spent two years working with local farmers and cheesemakers, building a menu around Meghalaya tomatoes, herbs, fermented ingredients and seasonal produce.
The recognition comes as Condé Nast Traveller in May called Shillong an emerging culinary destination.
For Meghalaya, it’s not just two ranks — it’s local ingredients entering national dining conversation.
