• The Chairman in Hong Kong is named Asia’s Best Restaurant for 2026.
• Wing, also in Hong Kong, secures the second position.
• Bangkok's Gaggan ranks third, retaining the title of Best Restaurant in Thailand.
• Six of the top ten restaurants come from mainland China and Macau.
• Special awards recognize individuals like Asia’s Best Female Chef Cho Eun-hee and Asia's Best Sommelier Lesley Liu.

At the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 awards ceremony held on March 25 in Hong Kong, the Cantonese restaurant The Chairman was honored as Asia’s Best Restaurant. This accolade marks the second time The Chairman has achieved this status, having previously ranked No. 1 in 2021. Chef-owner Danny Yip expressed gratitude towards his dedicated team, many of whom have been with the restaurant for over a decade. He highlighted, “Winning the top award makes our hard work and staying in the industry worthwhile," according to SCMP, Bangkok Post, and Channel News Asia.

Following The Chairman, Hong Kong’s Wing ranked second, further establishing the city’s culinary prowess. Chef Vicky Cheng has been recognized for integrating French culinary techniques with traditional Chinese cuisine. Meanwhile, Bangkok's Gaggan, renowned for its innovative Indian gastronomy, fell to third but continued to be recognized as the Best Restaurant in Thailand. The top five was rounded out by Mingles from Seoul (No. 4) and Nusara from Bangkok (No. 5), underscoring the diverse culinary offerings across Asia, according to SCMP, Bangkok Post, and Channel News Asia.

This year’s awards featured a significant representation from mainland China, with six of the top ten restaurants hailing from the region. The new entry Ruyuan in Hangzhou claimed the Highest New Entry award at No. 10, demonstrating a revival of traditional Hangzhou cuisine. Additionally, Lamdre in Beijing made a notable leap to No. 17, receiving the Highest Climber award for improving its position by 33 places from the previous year. This highlights the dynamic nature of Asia’s culinary landscape, according to SCMP, Bangkok Post, and Channel News Asia.

Singapore also showcased its culinary strength, with Odette (No. 19) recognized as the Best Restaurant in Singapore while Lesley Liu was awarded Asia’s Best Sommelier. Other noteworthy mentions from Singapore include the modern restaurant Seroja, which ranked No. 20, and Labyrinth, noted for its innovative approach to traditional cuisine. This reflects the island nation’s diverse gastronomic scene, according to SCMP, Bangkok Post, and Channel News Asia.

Special awards were also presented at the event. Chef Cho Eun-hee of Onjium in Seoul was named Best Female Chef for her contributions to Korean cuisine. Additionally, the inaugural Champions of Change award went to Peggy Chan, a sustainability advocate from Hong Kong. Recognizing the importance of ethical dining, the awards encapsulated the evolving standards within the culinary industry. These decisions are made by a panel of 350 experts from Asia's gastronomy field, ensuring a comprehensive representation of the dining landscape, according to SCMP, Bangkok Post, and Channel News Asia.