Meghalaya's Culinary Scene Shines As 2 Shillong Eateries Make National Top 50 List; Check Names Here
Shillong restaurants 'Rynsan' and 'Nonna Mei' secured 32nd and 44th spots respectively in India's Top 50 eateries for 2026, earning praise from CM Conrad Sangma. Both restaurants are operated by the husband-and-wife duo, musician-entrepreneur Hammarsing Kharhmar and Riyaki Jana. Scroll below to know more.
Meghalaya’s distinct culinary landscape has gained national recognition as two popular Shillong-based restaurants secured coveted spots in India’s Top 50 eateries for 2026. Official announcements made on Tuesday, October 6, confirmed that the "Rynsan" and "Nonna Mei" eating houses have been selected in this year’s Condé Nast Traveller x District Top Restaurant Awards. Among the recognized establishments, "Rynsan" claimed the 32nd rank, while "Nonna Mei" secured the 44th position. Both restaurants are operated by the husband-and-wife duo, musician-entrepreneur Hammarsing Kharhmar and Riyaki Jana.
Expanding Culinary Tourism in Meghalaya
The national recognition highlights a broader shift in tourism trends across the state, where visitors are increasingly seeking out authentic regional gastronomy alongside traditional sightseeing. Shillong Violence: Fuel Supply to Meghalaya Halted by Union Over Safety Concerns for Assam Vehicles, Drivers.
2 Shillong Restaurants Secure Places Among India's Top 50 Eateries
Congratulations to Rynsan and Nonna Mei on being named among the Top 50 winners of the Condé Nast Traveller × District #TopRestaurantAwards 2026 in the country!
From reimagining traditional flavours to bringing together local and Italian cuisine, these two restaurants showcase the diversity, creativity and sophistication of Meghalaya’s food culture.
Heartiest congratulations to the chefs and the entire teams! Meghalaya’s flavours are making their mark on the national culinary map.
@gssjodhpur @JM_Scindia @CNTIndia
— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) October 6, 2026
“The recognition comes at a time when Meghalaya’s food is increasingly being discovered beyond the state. Visitors from outside are no longer coming only to experience the hills and waterfalls, but are also increasingly interested in tasting local cuisines,” Kharhmar noted.
Unique Fusion and Traditional Menus
Located inside a restored Assam-style bungalow in Shillong, Rynsan offers an eclectic menu blending Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia food traditions, alongside regional influences from Nagaland, Mizoram, Burma, and Thailand. Notably, the restaurant has climbed steadily in the rankings, having previously secured the 49th spot in the 2025 edition of the awards before advancing to 32nd this year. Meanwhile, Nonna Mei offers a distinct culinary experience by pairing traditional tribal ingredients with classic Italian cuisine.
Leadership and Official Acclaim
Congratulating the teams behind the restaurants, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma emphasized that the achievement reflects the depth and versatility of the region’s food culture. “From reimagining traditional flavours to bringing together local and Italian cuisine, these two restaurants showcase the diversity, creativity and sophistication of Meghalaya’s food culture,” Sangma stated. He further praised the chefs and staff, adding that Meghalaya’s flavors are firmly “making their mark on the national culinary map”.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 06, 2026 06:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
