Asador Etxebarri has been named The World’s Best Restaurant 2026, bringing Victor Arguinzoniz and his restaurant in the Basque village of Axpe to the top of the international ranking.
Announced on November 4 at the Teatro Municipal de Lima in Peru, the result recognises a chef whose approach to cooking over fire has developed over decades, guided by an understanding of ingredients, temperature and the possibilities of the grill.
The 2026 edition brings together restaurants from 28 territories across six continents, with 11 new entries and five returning establishments. Asia accounts for 14 of the 50 restaurants, confirming its considerable presence in the international gastronomic landscape. The ranking also reflects the growing recognition of destinations that have developed their own culinary identities, sometimes far from the cities traditionally associated with fine dining.
For Victor Arguinzoniz, the distinction marks another stage in a career built around a remarkably consistent culinary philosophy. At Asador Etxebarri, fire determines the rhythm of the kitchen, from the selection of wood to the control of temperature and the treatment of each ingredient. His work has helped redefine the possibilities of grilling in contemporary gastronomy, demonstrating how a technique associated with simplicity can demand extraordinary precision.
This year’s ranking also reveals the changing geography of international gastronomy. The strong representation of Asian restaurants reflects the diversity of culinary approaches emerging across the region, from interpretations of traditional cuisines to restaurants developing their own contemporary language. Elsewhere, the arrival of establishments from smaller cities and less familiar destinations suggests that international recognition is no longer concentrated exclusively in established gastronomic capitals.
The distinctions presented during the ceremony also acknowledge developments taking place beyond the dining room. Culinary education, professional transmission, social inclusion and environmental responsibility increasingly form part of the work undertaken by chefs and restaurateurs. The awards recognise initiatives that connect the restaurant industry with wider questions concerning its future, its workforce and the communities around it.
The ranking is determined by the votes of more than 1,100 international restaurant industry experts, divided into 28 regions. Former No.1 restaurants enter the Best of the Best category and are no longer eligible for subsequent editions, allowing the annual selection to evolve as new restaurants reach the highest positions.
The 50 Best Restaurants 2026 – Full Ranking
1. Asador Etxebarri – Atxondo, Spain
2. Gaggan – Bangkok, Thailand
3. Alchemist – Copenhagen, Denmark
4. Quintonil – Mexico City, Mexico
5. Wing – Hong Kong
6. The Chairman – Hong Kong
7. Kjolle – Lima, Peru
8. Kadeau – Copenhagen, Denmark
9. Diverxo – Madrid, Spain
10. Plénitude – Paris, France
11. Atomix – New York, United States
12. Sorn – Bangkok, Thailand
13. Mérito – Lima, Peru
14. Sühring – Bangkok, Thailand
15. Odette – Singapore
16. Tuju – São Paulo, Brazil
17. Mingles – Seoul, South Korea
18. Nusara – Bangkok, Thailand
19. Jan – Munich, Germany
20. Piazza Duomo – Alba, Italy
21. Meet the Bund – Shanghai, China
22. Boragó – Santiago, Chile
23. Vyn – Skillinge, Sweden
24. Al Gatto Verde – Modena, Italy
25. Lasai – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
26. Masque – Mumbai, India
27. Reale – Castel di Sangro, Italy
28. Trèsind Studio – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
29. Enigma – Barcelona, Spain
30. Steirereck – Vienna, Austria
31. Celele – Cartagena, Colombia
32. Potong – Bangkok, Thailand
33. Elkano – Getaria, Spain
34. Le Coquillage – Saint-Méloir-des-Ondes, France
35. La Colombe – Cape Town, South Africa
36. Ru Yuan – Hangzhou, China
37. Nuema – Quito, Ecuador
38. Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler – Brunico, Italy
39. Schloss Schauenstein – Fürstenau, Switzerland
40. Jordnær – Copenhagen, Denmark
41. Onjium – Seoul, South Korea
42. Bozar – Brussels, Belgium
43. Le Calandre – Rubano, Italy
44. Don Julio – Buenos Aires, Argentina
45. Mayta – Lima, Peru
46. El Chato – Bogotá, Colombia
47. Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse – Monte Carlo, Monaco
48. Ikoyi – London, United Kingdom
49. Naar – Kasauli, India
50. Saint Peter – Sydney, Australia
Special Awards 2026
● The World’s Best Restaurant: Asador Etxebarri – Atxondo, Spain
● Best Restaurant in Asia: Gaggan – Bangkok, Thailand
● Best Restaurant in Europe: Asador Etxebarri – Atxondo, Spain
● Best Restaurant in Latin America: Quintonil – Mexico City, Mexico
● Best Restaurant in North America: Atomix – New York, United States
● Best Restaurant in the Middle East: Trèsind Studio – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
● Best Restaurant in Africa: La Colombe – Cape Town, South Africa
● Best Restaurant in Oceania: Saint Peter – Sydney, Australia
● Highest New Entry Award: Tuju – São Paulo, Brazil (No.16)
● Highest Climber Award: Kadeau – Copenhagen, Denmark (up 33 places)
● Best Female Chef Award: Jessica Rosval – Al Gatto Verde, Modena
● Chefs’ Choice Award: Junghyun Park – Atomix, New York
● Icon Award: Ferran Adrià
● Best Pastry Chef Award: Dej Kewkacha – Bangkok
● Best Sommelier Award: Lesley Liu – Odette, Singapore
● Sustainable Restaurant Award: Naar – Kasauli, India
● Art of Hospitality Award: Tuju – São Paulo, Brazil
● Champions of Change Award: Ghana Food Movement – Ghana
● One to Watch Award: Yiaga – Melbourne, Australia
● The 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship: Doris Lam
