Basque restaurant Asador Etxebarri claimed the top spot on The 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list during a ceremony in Lima, Peru, leaving New York City’s Atomix as the sole United States representative in the global top 50.
The culinary world turned its gaze toward South America as The 50 Best Restaurants 2026 ceremony took place at the Teatro Municipal de Lima on November 4. It marked the first time in the 24-year history of the awards that a global edition was staged in South America.
At the center of the rankings, Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain, ascended to No. 1, succeeding 2025 winner Maido from Lima. Helmed by chef-owner Victor Arguinzoniz, the establishment in the Basque village of Axpe draws international food enthusiasts to its cuisine built around wood-fired grilling. Speaking in Spanish after the win, Chef Bittor Arguinzoniz called the prize “a real honor,” and cited our mothers and grandmothers
as accomplished cooks who served as his inspiration, CNN reported. Opened in 1990, the establishment first appeared on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2008 and maintained a top ten position for the last decade before capturing the crown.
Atomix Claims the Sole U.S. Position in the Global Top 50
While international destinations dominated the upper tiers—with Gaggan in Bangkok taking No. 2, Alchemist in Copenhagen at No. 3, Quintonil in Mexico City at No. 4, and Wing in Hong Kong at No. 5—New York City’s Atomix stood alone as the sole U.S. restaurant to crack the top 50, landing at No. 11.
Located on East 30th Street and opened in May 2018 by husband-and-wife team Junghyun (JP) and Ellia Park, the establishment offers a progressive Korean tasting menu. Atomix previously topped the inaugural North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list in the fall of 2025. Additional North American representation appeared further down the extended list, including California’s SingleThread at No. 93, alongside several Mexican establishments such as Fauna at No. 99, Rosetta at No. 96, Arca at No. 87, Huniik at No. 79, and Alcalde at No. 55.
Global Shufflings and Regional Milestones in Lima
The 2026 ranking reflected shifting dynamics across global fine dining. The list is determined by votes from more than 1,100 international restaurant industry experts across 28 regions, with results independently adjudicated by Deloitte. British media group William Reed organizes the rankings, which were rebranded in September 2026 under the umbrella identity of The 50.
Singapore's fine-dining sector was anchored by Odette, which jumped 10 places to No. 15. Helmed by French chef Julien Royer at the National Gallery Singapore, the restaurant also celebrated its head sommelier, Liu, who received Asia’s Best Sommelier Award 2026 during the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 awards ceremony in Hong Kong on March 25. This is beyond my wildest dreams and I am incredibly surprised and humbled by this recognition,
Liu said. Other Singapore appearances included Seroja making its debut at No. 64 as one of nine new entries on the extended list, with its 32-year-old chef-owner Kevin Wong expressing disbelief alongside his team.
Other notable regional movements included South Korea’s Mingles climbing 12 places to No. 17 and Onjium rising from No. 57 to No. 41. In total, restaurants that reached the No. 1 spot in past years—such as Central in 2023, Disfrutar in 2024, and Maido in 2025—reside in a separate Best of the Best
program, keeping them ineligible for subsequent competition.
Top Ten Restaurants on the 2026 Global Ranking
The leading tier of the 2026 list showcases a diverse array of culinary concepts.
- 1. Asador Etxebarri — Atxondo, 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
Together, these ten establishments represent the pinnacle of contemporary international dining, reflecting shifting global tastes and exceptional culinary innovation across both established and emerging gastronomic destinations.