The culinary world turned its eyes to South America tonight as the 2026 World’s 50 Best Restaurants list was unveiled during a prestigious live ceremony in Lima, Peru. Taking the coveted number one spot this year is Asador Etxebarri, the celebrated Basque Country sanctuary of fire and minimalist technique, which ascends to the top of the global ranking.

The announcement shuffled the upper echelons of the prestigious list, which is widely considered one of the most influential honors in international gastronomy. Bangkok’s progressive tasting counter Gaggan claimed the No. 2 position, while Copenhagen’s deeply immersive, 50-course dining experience Alchemist followed closely at No. 3. Mexico City’s Quintonil rounded out the top four, capturing the title of Best in Latin America, and Hong Kong’s Wing secured the No. 5 spot.

Representing the United States in the upper tier of the global list, New York City’s Atomix stood alone as the sole U.S. restaurant to break into the top 50, landing at No. 11. Last week, the organization revealed the "back half" of the extended list, placing Healdsburg, California’s SingleThread at No. 93.

The evening also celebrated a broad spectrum of individual talent and regional excellence through a series of specialty accolades. Singapore’s Lesley Liu was honored with the Best Sommelier Award, sponsored by Vik, while the Ghana Food Movement received the Champions of Change award, sponsored by illycaffe, for driving positive social impact within their community.

In Melbourne, Yiaga was named the "One to Watch," and Doris Lam accepted the 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship Award. Jessica Rosval of Al Gatto Verde was named Best Female Chef, an award sponsored by Lexus, while Thailand-based Dej Kewkacha took home the title of Best Pastry Chef, sponsored by Sosa. Additionally, Atomix’s Junghyun Park was recognized by his peers with the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award, and culinary legend Ferran Adrià was presented with the SevenRooms Icon Award.

The Evolution and Global Rise of the 50 Best

Launched in the early 2000s by the U.K.-based media company William Reed, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list was first published in Restaurant magazine in 2002. The ranking gained massive international fame throughout the 2010s, with the top spot regularly claimed by legendary institutions like Noma in Copenhagen, El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, and Osteria Francescana in Modena.

To prevent stagnation and allow new culinary stars a chance at the crown, the organization made a pivotal structural change in 2019. Under the policy, any restaurant that claims the No. 1 ranking is retired from regular competition and inducted into a separate "Best of the Best" hall of fame. Since this policy took effect, the top honor has been awarded to Geranium in Copenhagen in 2022, Central in Lima in 2023, Disfrutar in Spain in 2024, and Maido in Lima in 2025. Noma notably qualified for a repeat victory in 2021 after officially closing and reopening its concept.

Over the years, the brand has expanded far beyond its flagship global list, introducing regional spin-offs including Latin America’s 50 Best, Asia’s 50 Best, and the Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best. The organization has also launched parallel lists dedicated to bars, hotels, and wineries. Today, the 50 Best brand rivals the historical reach of the Michelin Guide, serving as one of the most scrutinized and discussion-generating forces in the culinary industry.

Methodology, Expansion, and Ongoing Industry

Debate

Despite its immense prestige, the 50 Best organization has frequently navigated intense debate regarding its voting methodology and accusations of commercial influence. High-profile pushback has occasionally surfaced from within the chef community; earlier this year, chef Ana Roš of Hiša Franko in Slovenia publicly announced she would not attend the ceremony, a decision praised by prominent industry figures such as Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio.

The organization maintains that its rankings are determined by a transparent, anonymous voting body consisting of more than 1,100 culinary professionals, specialized food writers, and experienced global diners. The voting panel rotates by at least 25 percent annually to ensure fresh perspectives. Each voter is required to submit 10 restaurant preferences, with up to six coming from their home region and at least four allocated to international establishments outside their local area. The final rankings are a direct tabulation of these submitted votes.

In recent years, the organization has taken steps to clarify its policies, emphasizing that any establishment can qualify and that individual definitions of "best" are left entirely to the discretion of the voters. Furthermore, the 50 Best has broadened its scope to recognize broader industry contributions, celebrating sustainability, hospitality, pastry arts, and community leadership alongside traditional dining excellence.

To address regional representation disparities—such as the limited presence of North American restaurants on the global list—the organization established the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in the fall of 2025. Atomix captured the top spot on that regional inaugural list, followed closely by notable establishments like Mon Lapin in Montreal and Restaurant Pearl Morissette in Lincoln, Ontario.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026

1. Asador Etxebarri, Axpe, Spain
2. Gaggan, Bangkok, Thailand
3. Alchemist, Copenhagen, Denmark
4. Quintonil, Mexico City, Mexico
5. Wing, Hong Kong, China
6. The Chairman, Hong Kong, China
7. Kjolle, Lima, Peru
8. Kadeau, Copenhagen, Denmark
9. DiverXO, Madrid, Spain
10. Plénitude, Paris, France
11. Atomix, New York, USA
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, Simrishamn, 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, U.A.E.
29. Enigma, Barcelona, Spain
30. Steirereck, Vienna, Austria
31. Celele, Cartagena, Colombia
32. Potong, Bangkok, Thailand
33. Elkano, Getaria, Spain
34. La 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, Germany
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 à l’Hôtel de Paris, Monte Carlo, Monaco
48. Ikoyi, London, United Kingdom
49. Naar, Kasauli, India
50. Saint Peter, Sydney, Australia