HONG KONG — Cantonese cuisine trailblazer The Chairman in Hong Kong clinches the coveted title of The Best Restaurant in Asia, at the awards ceremony for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 in Hong Kong, this evening.
Accompanying The Chairman’s rise to the top, Hong Kong’s strong showing continues with Wing (No.2), where chef-patron Vicky Cheng revolutionises the eight Chinese culinary traditions with French culinary finesse.
Restaurants in Bangkok lead the ranking with nine spots featured on the regional list. Last year’s No.1 winner, Gaggan, claims the No.3 spot, retaining the title of The Best Restaurant in Thailand for its extraordinary experiential Indian gastronomy. Bangkok’s line-up also features Nusara (No.5) with a creative spin on chef Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakajohn’s ancient family recipes; chef Gaggan Anand’s soaring collaboration with luxury fashion, Gaggan at Louis Vuitton (No.8); innovative southern Thai restaurant Sorn (No.12); contemporary German restaurant Sühring (No.18); progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine at Potong (No.25); Mexican-Indian “love story” Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh (No.27); modern Thai-inspired Le Du (No.36); and new contender, elevating the culture of khao gaeng or curry on rice, Wana Yook (No.47).
The only chef with three restaurants on the list, Gaggan Anand, says, “It’s overwhelming and honestly unexpected. I feel a little ashamed of taking another spot, which could have been someone else. I’ve been in this but I also feel that it is being 15 years in this space; it’s a rewarding space because only Gaggan belongs to me. The other two restaurants belong to Hernan and Rydo, and then Vix and Rydo. It is where the next generation took my philosophy and made it their own, and have got here on their own merit. “
Beyond the list, Bangkok’s Baan Tepa (No.53) receives the Sustainable Restaurant Award for its continued leadership in environmentally responsible gastronomy. Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakajohn is also recognised with the prestigious Inedit Damm Chefs' Choice Award, voted for by his industry peers.
This year’s list spans 17 cities across the region, with three cities appearing on the 1-50 ranking for the first time: Kasauli in India, Penang in Malaysia and Ubud in Indonesia.
A restaurant from Kasauli makes its debut in the rankings entirely, while restaurants in Penang and Ubud previously featured on the extended 51-100 list. The 2026 ranking also welcomes eight new entries and four re-entries, reflecting the continued dynamism and evolution of Asia’s dining scene.
Tokyo boasts seven restaurants on the list, including neo-French Japanese Sézanne (No.16); Chinese-Japanese fusion at Sazenka (No.21); Peru-inspired Maz (No.28); communal French restaurant Florilège (No.31); French-leaning Myoujyaku (No.33); Nordic-inspired Crony (No.34); and Narisawa (No.37), paying homage to traditional rural ‘satoyama’ cuisine. Japan’s highest-ranked restaurant this year is La Cime in Osaka (No.13), which is named The Best Restaurant in Japan.
Shanghai leads representation in Mainland China with five restaurants featured on the list, while Hangzhou returns to the 1-50 rankings this year. Comforting retreat Meet the Bund (No.6) in the bustling Bund Finance Center continues its rise from No.14 last year and is again voted The Best Restaurant in Mainland China. Modern Chinese restaurant Ling Long (No.9) maintains a strong position in this year’s ranking, while traditional Cantonese banquet residence 102 House (No.29) returns to the list and Basque seafood grill La Bourriche 133 (No.48) celebrates entering the rankings. The list also recognises neighbouring cities: Hangzhou’sRu Yuan (No.10) earns the Highest New Entry Award for reinvigorating old-school Hangzhou cuisine, while seasonal plant-based Lamdre in Beijing soars 33 places from No.50 last year to No.17, winning the Highest Climber Award, sponsored by Lee Kum Kee. The SevenRooms Icon Award honours visionary restaurateur Zhang Yong, founder of Xin Rong Ji.
Further south, Singapore continues to demonstrate its culinary strength. Julien Royer’s timeless French fine dining at Odette(No.19) once again earns The Best Restaurant in Singapore accolade, with Lesley Liu also voted Asia's Best Sommelier, sponsored by Vik. Kevin Wong’s tribute to Malayan archipelago cuisine tails close behind at Seroja (No.20). Completing the Lion City’s finalists, Born (No.23) returns to the list with its blend of French and Chinese gastronomy at a restored former rickshaw station; iconic Les Amis (No.38) remains a perennial flag-bearer; modernised Singaporean classics impress at Labyrinth (No.40); and contemporary Seoul cuisine is recognised at Nae:Um (No.45).
In Seoul, Mingles (No.4) is again hailed The Best Restaurant in South Korea, sponsored by Nongshim Shinramyun, for its seasonal Korean cuisine blending Hong Kong and European influences. Korean heritage restaurant Onjium comes in at No.14, with ChoEun-hee also honoured as Asia’s Best Female Chef. Urban oasis Eatanic Garden is No.26, while celebrity Korean-American chef Sung Anh’s Mosu (No.41) also returns to the list. Bium (No.43) debuts with vegetarian temple cuisine, and traditional Korean fermentation gains recognition with 7th Door ranking at No.49. Ranked at No.54 on the extended 51-100 list, French-influenced San in fashionable Gangnam receives this year’s One To Watch Award, which was announced in advance of the ceremony.
Jakarta and Ubud each earn a place on the list, with modern Indonesian gastronomy earning August (No.42) in Jakarta the title of The Best Restaurant in Indonesia and Ardika Dwitama also winning the Asia's Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Valrhona.Joining the 1-50 list for the first time, hyperlocal gourmet playground Locavore NXT (No.44) in Ubud, Bali, marks the city’s debut in the top tier of the rankings.
Taipei and Taichung are both represented, with Logy in Taipei (No.22) and chef Jimmy Lim’s Singaporean restaurant JL Studio in Taichung (No.50).
Masque (No.15) in Mumbai, founded by Aditi Dugar and a pioneer of modern Indian gastronomy, is named The Best Restaurant in India for the fifth time and also receives the Art of Hospitality Award, recognising an exceptional hospitality experience. In the distant foothills between Chandigarh and Shimla, Kasauli makes its debut in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants rankings with chef Prateek Sadhu’s Naar (No.30), showcasing his passion for Himalayan cuisine.
Among culinary capitals with just one finalist each, The Best Restaurant in Macau goes to opulent Chef Tam's Seasons (No.7), which continues to fly high, showcasing refined Cantonese cuisine at Wynn Palace. Penang makes its 1-50 debut with Au Jardin(No.39), a French-inspired local fine dining establishment by chef-proprietor Kim Hock Su, which is awarded The Best Restaurant in Malaysia.
Visit the complete list at theworlds50best.com.
