Asador Etxebarri Takes Top Spot in World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026

In a culinary triumph that has captivated food enthusiasts around the globe, Asador Etxebarri from the Basque Country secured the top spot in the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 rankings, announced today. This prestigious accolade comes after a rigorous selection process where over 1,100 anonymous voters, with at least 25% annual turnover, cast their ballots, each nominating ten restaurants in order of preference ¹².

Gaggan, a renowned establishment from Bangkok, took the second place, showcasing the continued prominence of Southeast Asian cuisine on the international stage. In third place was Alchemist, hailing from Copenhagen, which further solidified Scandinavia's reputation for innovative dining experiences. Quintonil from Mexico City rounded out the top four, highlighting the diversity of culinary excellence recognized in this year's list.

The World's 50 Best Restaurants lists, launched by U.K.-based media company William Reed in the early 2000s, have become a cornerstone of the global gastronomy scene. Last year's winner, Maido from Lima, has been inducted into the Best of the Best list, a testament to its enduring impact on the world of fine dining ².

Interestingly, North America's 50 Best Restaurants was inaugurated in the fall of 2025, marking a significant expansion of the awards' reach and influence ¹. However, not all chefs were present to celebrate their achievements. Ana Ros, the celebrated chef of Hisa Franko in Slovenia, opted not to attend the ceremony due to concerns about visibility, despite her restaurant being ranked at No. 60 on the list of 51-100 ².

These rankings not only highlight the top eateries but also underscore the dynamic nature of the culinary landscape, with new stars emerging alongside established favorites. The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 continues to captivate audiences and set the standard for excellence in the world of gastronomy.

What we know

• Asador Etxebarri from Basque Country was ranked No. 1 in the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026. ¹²
• Gaggan from Bangkok was ranked No. 2 in the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026. ¹²
• Alchemist from Copenhagen was ranked No. 3 in the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026. ¹²
• Quintonil from Mexico City was ranked No. 4 in the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026. ¹²
• Polling is conducted anonymously among over 1,100 voters, with at least 25% turnover annually. ¹²
• Each voter nominates 10 restaurants in order of preference. ¹²
• Maido, a Lima restaurant, won No. 1 last year and is now on the Best of the Best list. ²
• The 50 Best Restaurants lists were launched by U.K.-based media company William Reed in the early 2000s. ¹
• North America’s 50 Best Restaurants was commenced in the fall of 2025. ¹
• Ana Ros, chef of Hisa Franko in Slovenia, did not attend the ceremony due to concerns about visibility. ²
• Hisa Franko was ranked No. 60 on the list of 51-100. ²