TIME magazine features two Indian establishments in 'World's Greatest Places' for 2024
The "places" featured include hotels, cruises, restaurants, attractions, museums, parks, and other notable locations.
TIME magazine’s latest “World’s Greatest Places” list for 2024 has recognized two remarkable Indian establishments: Hyderabad’s Manam Chocolate and Naar in Himachal Pradesh. This prestigious list celebrates the top hundred places worldwide that stand out for their unique offerings and exceptional experiences. Both of these Indian ventures have been acknowledged for their innovative approaches and contributions to their respective fields.
Manam Chocolate: A Sweet Addition to the “World’s Greatest Places”
Manam Chocolate, a premium craft chocolate brand based in Hyderabad, has made its mark on the “World’s Greatest Places” list for 2024. This recognition highlights the brand’s commitment to showcasing Indian-grown cacao in an exceptional manner. Since its inception, Manam Chocolate has garnered international acclaim for its artisanal products, and its recent achievement underscores its growing influence in the global luxury market.
Launched in August 2023, the Manam Chocolate Karkhana, the brand’s flagship experiential venue, offers an immersive chocolate experience. The venue is located in Hyderabad’s upscale Banjara Hills, an area known for its vibrant culture and elite clientele. Inside the Karkhana, visitors are treated to a sensory journey through a variety of chocolate creations and related treats. According to TIME’s Sarah Khan, the space is designed to delight visitors with its array of products, including unique flavours like chai biscuit and pistachio fudge, alongside an assortment of other sweet and savoury offerings.
In her feature, Khan writes, “Inside Muppala’s chocolate factory, set on a busy road in Hyderabad’s posh Banjara Hills, walls are stocked with beautifully packaged bars in flavours like chai biscuit and pistachio fudge alongside stacks of curry leaf shortbread biscuits and almond praline clusters; croissants are baked, toasted coconut macarons are assembled, and chakkarakeli banana soft serve is swirled into cones, all in front of starry-eyed visitors. Downstairs, Manam’s airy, glass-walled atrium cafe serves all things sweet and savoury at tables clustered around a cacao tree, which pays tribute to the real star of Manam’s story.”
Chaitanya Muppala, the CEO and founder of Manam Chocolate, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “We launched Manam Chocolate a little under a year ago with the mission to offer a craft chocolate experience from India, by Indians, for the world. We are humbled to be recognised on a list of global prestige so early in our journey.”
Naar: A Culinary Gem on the “World’s Greatest Places” List
Naar, a distinctive restaurant nestled in Himachal Pradesh, has also earned a spot on TIME’s “World’s Greatest Places” list for 2024. This establishment is helmed by renowned chef Prateek Sadhu, who is celebrated for his innovative use of local mountain ingredients. Situated within a boutique hotel, Naar offers a unique dining experience that highlights the diverse flavors of the region.
TIME’s Sarah Khan describes Naar as a culinary destination that attracts visitors from afar. She notes, “Judging by the steady flow of traffic snaking up winding mountain roads to reach Naar’s pine-clad dining room, Sadhu is on to something. Inside, he guides 16 diners at a time on a tantalising tour of the region through its flavours: Himachali yak cheese, juniper-smoked lamb with Kashmiri mushqbudji rice, Ladakhi buckwheat pasta, Naga bamboo shoot pickles, galgal lemons from Uttarakhand.”
Chef Sadhu’s vision for Naar is to create a dining experience that showcases the rich culinary traditions of Himachal Pradesh and the surrounding areas. The restaurant’s emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients combined with innovative cooking techniques has set it apart as a noteworthy destination in the global culinary scene.
Both Manam Chocolate and Naar exemplify the essence of TIME’s “World’s Greatest Places” list, which seeks to highlight those establishments offering new and exciting experiences. The inclusion of these Indian ventures on the list not only underscores their exceptional qualities but also brings attention to the growing global recognition of India’s contributions to the luxury and culinary worlds.
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