Singapore turn in mixed report card on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list, Hong Kong snags top two spots

Singapore restaurants turned in a mixed report card on this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants List, which was announced in Hong Kong on March 25.

Six restaurants made it to the list, led by flagbearer restaurant Odette, which retained its Best Restaurant in Singapore status. However, the contemporary French restaurant, which recently had a major renovation to mark its 10th anniversary, fell 12 spots from last year to the No. 19 spot.

Hong Kong, which hosted the annual dining award ceremony for the first time, snagged the top two spots with Cantonese restaurant The Chairman making a comeback to the coveted No. 1 spot. Wing restaurant, which has been steadily climbing the rankings over the years, snagged the second spot.

Both Chinese restaurants in the city climbed a spot each from last year’s rankings.

On the Singapore front, two restaurants improved their positions on this year’s rankings. Seroja, a contemporary restaurant that features ingredients from the Malay Archipelago, rose up 20 spots to make the cut in the top 20 this year.

Contemporary restaurant Born re-entered the list at No. 23. It was on the long list at No. 54 last year. Born’s chef-owner Zor Tan says: “We’re truly grateful to be included on Asia’s 50 Best again. To be recognised each year since opening means a great deal to us, and it’s something we don’t take lightly. Thank you to our team for their dedication, and to our guests for being with us from the beginning. We’ll continue to work hard and keep moving forward.”

Contemporary Korean restaurant Nae:um, which also underwent a major facelift last year, made its debut on the list at No. 45. Other Singapore restaurants on the list include Labyrinth (No. 40, dropped three spots) and Les Amis (No. 38, dropped 10 spots).

Odette’s Taiwan-born head sommelier, Lesley Liu, who has been at the restaurant for seven years, was recognised with the Asia’s Best Sommelier accolade.

The awards were announced at Kerry Hotel in Hung Hom. One of the highlights of the night was rapturous applause that was showered on The Chairman’s chef-owner, Danny Yip’s “vintage team” as they went onstage to receive the top gong. The team also includes sommelier Ambrose Chiang, who is currently fighting stage four cancer, who was helped up to the stage during an emotionally-charged moment.

Strong showing from Mainland China restaurants

Restaurants from Mainland China, especially Shanghai, had a more prominent showing this year. A total of seven restaurants appeared on the list, with five from the Chinese financial hub.

They are Fujian restaurant Meet the Bund (No. 6), modern chinese restaurant Ling Long (No.9), vegetarian restaurant Fu He Hui (No. 11), traditional Cantonese banquet residence 102 House (No.29) and Basque seafood grill La Bourriche 133 (No.48), which is led by Singaporean chef, Lee Jia Wei.

Hangzhou’s Ru Yuan (No.10) earned the Highest New Entry Award for reinvigorating old-school Hangzhou cuisine, while seasonal plant-based Lamdre in Beijing surged 33 places from No.50 last year to No.17, winning the Highest Climber Award. Most restaurants in Mainland China saw their rankings improved this year. Chinese restaurateur and founder of the Xin Rong Ji chain, Zhang Yong, was lauded with the Icon Award.

Other notable wins include chef Cho Eun-hee of revered Korean heritage restaurant Onjium (No. 14) in Seoul being honoured as Asia’s Best Female Chef and modern Indian restaurant Masque (No.15) in Mumbai, receiving the Art of Hospitality Award, which recognises exceptional hospitality experiences.

Bangkok’s chef Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakajohn of Nusara (No. 5) and Le Du (No. 36) received the Chefs’ Choice Award from culinary heavyweight, Mirazur’s chef-owner Mauro Colagreco, who made a special appearance at the ceremony.

The annual dining rankings, which is organised by UK-based media company, William Reed, is voted by more than 350 members from F&B community, including food writers and critics, chefs, restaurateurs and regional culinary experts. Restaurants across 17 cities in Asia were recognised this year.