Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, the annual list recognising Asia’s finest dining establishments has revealed its extended version for 2026, listing the restaurants that have secured a rank between 51 and 100. The comprehensive list, prepared by industry experts, offers a chance for both new and time-tested restaurants to shine and prove their excellence to the world. This year, it features 50 restaurants, 27 cities, and 12 first-timers.
The good news for 2026? The roaster this year boasts a far more geographically widespread and diverse edition. As first glance, Seoul, South Korea, reigns over all other cities by a long shot.
The list is voted for by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, a panel of 350-plus influential industry leaders, including restaurateurs, chefs, culinary professionals, food writers and critics from across the region. The official award ceremony is locked in for March 25 at the Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong, honouring all those who have made it to the top 50.
Indian Starrers Make the List
Four of India’s culinary pride and joys also made an appearance on the list. Mumbai’s Papa’s was on Number 66, The Table on number 73, Delhi’s INJA on number 75, and Bengaluru’s Farmlore on number 83. India’s dining scene has been shining, not only nationally but internationally, in recent years, and these spots only highlight how far we’ve come.
Papa’s helmed by The Hunger Inc. and Chef Hussain Shahzad, The Table by Jay Yousuf and Gauri Devidayal, INJA by Chef Adwait Anantwar, and Farmlore by Chef Johnson Ebenezer and Kaushik Raju are among some of the finest dining establishments in all of India, offering distinct cuisines and some of the most experimental concepts and dishes.
The Reign of Seoul, South Korea
With a whopping seven restaurants scattered across the extended version of the list, Seoul has all other cities in a tough grip. These seven include Solbam (No.55), Born and Bred (No.56), Alla Prima (No.57), Soigné (No.74), Jungsik (No.87), and Kwonsooksoo (No.98), plus newcomer San (No.54). San in Seoul also took home the honour of the “One To Watch,” this year.
In South Korea, Busan also made its official debut on the list, alongside Fiotto, which ranked No. 99.
Following Seoul were Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong, with five restaurants from the former, and four each from the latter, made an appearance on the list.
New Entries On The List
This year’s list honours four cities that debuted in their positions, comprising Busan, Chengdu, Kanazawa, and Nishikawa.
From Busan, South Korea, there was Fiotto at 99; Chengdu, China, had Co- at 69; Kanazawa, Japan, featured Respiración at 92; while from Nishikawa, Japan, there was Dewaya at 93.
While these were the cities that appeared on the list for the first time, 12 newcomer restaurants across Asia also debuted.
Other Highlights
The highest-ranking restaurant on the entire 51-100 list was Beijing’s Chef 1996, an exclusively private-room space, which ranked No. 52. Kuala Lumpur’s Dewakan (No.62), helmed by chef Darren Teoh, made the longest jump with 22 places-up from last year.
Japan contributed a significant number of spaces to the list, with three from Tokyo—Den (No. 51), Sushi Shunji (No. 63), and the omnipresent Sushi Saito (No. 72). Two came in from Kanazawa: a kaiseki spot of the future, Kataori (No.82), and Respiración (No.92), a collaboration between three friends. Dewaya (No.93) came from Nishikawa, Cenci (No.76) from Kyoto, and Villa Aida (No.81) from Wakayama. Therefore, Japan’s unmatched presence spanned 8 different cities!
While the 51-100 list is out, the complete list will be unveiled on March 25, 2026, at the annual Asia’s 50 Best Award Ceremony, that will take place in Hong Kong this year. It will be streamed live on the 50 Best YouTube channel.
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