Asia makes a stronger showing on The 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list, Odette lands No. 15 spot and Best Sommelier award

Restaurants in Asia delivered a stronger and improved showing on this year’s The 50 Best Restaurants list, which was announced in Lima, Peru on Nov 4. A total of 14 restaurants from Asian cities including Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Seoul, Mumbai, Shanghai and Hangzhou secured prominent positions and improved their showing in the closely-watched global ranking, alongside several new entries.

Leading the Asia contingent is Bangkok’s Gaggan, which climbs four spots from last year to No. 2. The contemporary restaurant, helmed by maverick India-born chef Gaggan Anand, is recognised for its modern interpretation of Indian cuisine, drawing on influences from Japan, France and Thailand. Interestingly, Gaggan was ranked No. 3 on this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, announced in March in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong follows with two restaurants in the top six. Wing, led by chef-owner Vicky Cheng, takes No.5 for its modern Chinese cuisine (up from No. 11 last year), while stalwart restaurant The Chairman places at No.6 (up from No. 19 last year).

Bangkok has four other restaurants in the list: Sorn (No.12), Sühring (No.14), Nusara (No.18) and Potong (No.32), underscoring Bangkok’s continued role as a key dining hub in the region.

From Singapore, Odette is the Republic’s long-time sole representative at No. 15. The contemporary French restaurant by chef-owner Julien Royer at National Gallery Singapore, which re-opened last December after a major renovation, leaped 10 spots from its position last year.

The restaurant’s head sommelier Lesley Liu received the Best Sommelier Award. Liu, who is known for her wine-pairing skills and efforts to mentor peers and champion women in the industry, also received the same award in the Asia edition of the awards in March.

Up-and-coming dining cities in Asia

Restaurants from China are also making their burgeoning presence felt in the international fine dining scene. Two Chinese newcomers on this year’s list are modern Fujian restaurant Meet the Bund (No.21) in Shanghai and Ru Yuan (No.36) in Hangzhou.

Other restaurants from Asia that also made their debut include Masque (No.26) in Mumbai, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, Onjium (No. 41) in Seoul, and Naar (No.49) in Kasauli, India.

Naar, which is located in the Himalayas, also takes home the Sustainable Restaurant Award for its approach to sourcing ingredients from the Himalayan region, adapting its menu to the mountain range’s six distinct seasons and finding ways to minimise kitchen waste.

Beyond the restaurant rankings, Asia’s pastry scene receives recognition through the Best Pastry Chef Award, which was presented to Dej Kewkacha. The self-taught Bangkok-based pâtissier is known for incorporating local flavours into fine-dining omakase dessert courses and was named Asia’s Best Pastry Chef in 2025.

Spain’s Asador Etxebarri is No.1 

At the top of the global ranking, Basque grill restaurant Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain clinches the No.1 spot, moving up from second place in 2025. Run by chef-owner Victor Arguinzoniz, the restaurant is known for its mastery of Basque wood-fire cooking. It succeeds Lima’s Maido, which enters the Best of the Best hall of fame after taking the top spot last year. Copenhagen’s Alchemist rounds out the top three at No.3.

This year’s ranking features 11 new entries and five restaurants returning to the Top 50. They include Schloss Schauenstein (No.39) from Furstenau, Switzerland and El Chato (No. 46) in Bogota, Colombia.

Junghyun ‘JP’ Park, chef-owner of contemporary Korean Atomix in New York City received the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award, which was voted by his fellow peers. The restaurant takes the No. 11 spot.

Other regional winners include Quintonil (No.4) in Mexico City, named The Best Restaurant in Latin America; Atomix (No.11) in New York, which takes The Best Restaurant in North America; Trèsind Studio (No.28) in Dubai, named The Best Restaurant in the Middle East; La Colombe (No.35) in Cape Town, which wins The Best Restaurant in Africa; and Saint Peter (No.50) in Sydney, named The Best Restaurant in Oceania.

The results were announced in a glitzy ceremony in Lima, months after it was shifted from the original Abu Dhabi location due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Rikki Tidball, Managing Director of Events for The 50, says: “Celebrating gastronomic excellence and the remarkable talent shaping the global culinary landscape, this year’s ranking welcomes 11 new entries to the 1-50 list, showcasing the breadth of talent, diversity and creativity shaping the global hospitality landscape.”

The 50, which underwent a brand revamp from 50 Best in September, publishes the The 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list. The 50 is run by UK-based media company, William Reed. The annual list is voted by more than 1,100 international restaurant industry experts, including chefs, restaurateurs, food and beverage professionals, and food journalists.