HONG KONG – Asia’s dining scene has never stood still, but 2026 feels like a particularly electric year. At the top of it all is Hong Kong’s The Chairman, reclaiming the No.1 spot. The acclaimed restaurant, which honours forgotten luxury Cantonese ingredients and traditions from southern China, rises from No.2 last year to reclaim the title, which it previously held in 2021.It’s a win that signals something bigger than rankings: a renewed appreciation for heritage, craftsmanship, and storytelling through food.

From Bangkok’s dominance (nine restaurants on the list) to Tokyo’s precision-driven fine dining and Seoul’s modern reinterpretations of tradition, this year’s list spans 17 cities, and a wide spectrum of culinary philosophies. And while Hong Kong takes the crown, Singapore quietly delivers one of its strongest showings yet—cementing itself as one of Asia’s most exciting places to eat right now. This year, Singapore places six restaurants in the top 50, matching culinary heavyweights like Hong Kong and Seoul. But what’s striking isn’t just the number—it’s the diversity.

Odette comes in at No.19, and maintains its title as Singapore’s highest-ranked restaurant. Odette continues to define modern French fine dining in Asia. Chef Julien Royer’s approach, refined, produce-driven, and quietly emotional—keeps it firmly on the global stage. Adding to the win, Odette’s Lesley Liu was named Asia’s Best Sommelier, reinforcing the restaurant’s reputation for a complete, world-class experience.

Right behind is Seroja at No. 20, one of the most exciting restaurants in Southeast Asia right now. Chef Kevin Wong’s menu draws deeply from the Malay Archipelago, spotlighting regional ingredients and traditions with a contemporary lens. At No. 23, Born Born offers one of Singapore’s most conceptual dining experiences—blending French techniques with Chinese philosophy in a narrative-driven tasting menu.

Beyond the top tier, Singapore’s list reflects a city that embraces both legacy and reinvention, painting a picture of a city that doesn’t just follow trends, but also absorbs, adapts, and elevates them:

• Les Amis (No.38): A stalwart of Singapore fine dining, still flying the flag for classic French excellence.
• Labyrinth (No.40): A love letter to Singaporean cuisine reimagining hawker favourites in bold, modern forms.
• Nae:Um (No.45): A contemporary Korean standout that reflects Singapore’s growing appetite for cross-cultural dining.

This year’s list spans 17 cities across the region, with three cities appearing on the 1-50 ranking for the first time: Kasauli, Penang and Ubud. 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 three re-entries, reflecting the continued dynamism and evolution of Asia’s dining scene.

Accompanying The Chairman’s rise to the top, Hong Kong’s strong showing continues with Wing (No.2), where chef-owner Vicky Cheng revolutionises the eight Chinese culinary traditions with French culinary finesse. This year’s host city also gains recognition with four other restaurants – ingredient-driven Neighborhood (No.24), Neapolitan restaurant Estro (No.32), elegant Caprice (No.35) at Four Seasons Hong Kong and Latin American-style Mono (No.46).

Peggy Chan from Hong Kong, a tireless promoter of regenerative farming in Asia’s hospitality industry and executive director of Zero Foodprint Asia, collects the Champions of Change Award. Across the region, the rankings reflect strong representation from Asia’s leading dining capitals. 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).

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.

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) stays the same position on the list and Basque seafood grill La Bourriche 133 (No.48) celebrates entering the rankings.

The list also recognises neighbouring cities: Hangzhou’s Ru 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.

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 Cho Eun-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 fourth 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.

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants rankings celebrate extraordinary talent and innovation, with voting by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential forum of 350-plus industry leaders including food writers and critics, chefs, restaurateurs and regional culinary experts. The awards captures a snapshot of where dining is heading, and a remarkable look at the strength and innovation present in Asia’s dining scene today.

Rikki Tidball, Managing Director – Events, 50 Best, says: “This year’s ranking brings together a remarkable collection of much-loved restaurants across 17 cities in the region. Heartfelt congratulations go to all the restaurants on the list, especially The Chairman on being named No.1 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026. The restaurant’s dedication to honouring refined Cantonese traditions and exceptional ingredient-driven cooking truly sets it apart. The commitment to culinary excellence and boundarypushing gastronomy demonstrated by all of the restaurants on the list is a tribute to the exceptional talent and innovative spirit that define Asia’s vibrant restaurant scene.”

Photos from 50 Best

Read the full list of the top 50 restaurants here.