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Etxebarri ignites the pinnacle of world gastronomy
Haute cuisine is an art form in which product, technique, and creativity converse to transform the gastronomic experience. At Asador Etxebarri, Bittor Arginzoniz has made simplicity a form of excellence, elevating fire, one of humanity's most ancient techniques, to the level of a culinary language. This philosophy has placed the restaurant in Axpe, in the Basque Country, at the top of The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026, the international ranking that recognizes the leading examples of contemporary gastronomy.
After two consecutive years in second place, Etxebarri has finally reached number one on a list where it had consistently ranked among the top ten for a decade. The Arginzoniz grill thus becomes the first Basque restaurant to achieve this distinction, consolidating a trajectory built on respect for the product, mastery of fire, and a culinary philosophy that finds its ultimate expression in restraint.
Upon receiving the award, the chef championed the legacy of his ancestors and the cultural value of traditional techniques. "Our ancestors bequeathed us all their knowledge and skills, and with their dedication and passion, they transmitted to us an immeasurable cultural and gastronomic value," he noted, thanking all those who have contributed to keeping the project alive.
Second place went to Gaggan restaurant in Bangkok, while Alchemist in Copenhagen, Denmark, took third. Asian cuisine played a prominent role in this edition, with numerous restaurants among the top-ranked establishments. Gaggan was also recognized as the best restaurant in Asia.
The ceremony, held at the Municipal Theater of Lima, held special significance for Peruvian gastronomy. For the first time in the awards' 24-year history, the gala was held in South America, in a city that has established itself as one of the world's great culinary capitals. Following the accolades bestowed upon Central, by Virgilio Martínez, in 2023, and Maido, by Mitsuharu 'Micha' Tsumura, in 2025, Lima has once again placed Peruvian cuisine at the center of the global stage.
Maido, winner of the previous edition, now joins the Best of the Best group, the hall of fame for restaurants that have achieved the top spot in the rankings. In this edition, Quintonil, in Mexico City, has been recognized as the best restaurant in Latin America, while Kjolle, in Lima, occupies seventh position.
The international presence has also made room for European cuisine. DiverXO, in Madrid, ranks ninth, while Enigma, in Barcelona, occupies the 29th position. Elkano, in Getaria, has dropped from 24th to 33rd place, in an edition that also recognized Bozar Restaurant, in Brussels, with the 42nd position. Located in the Palace of Fine Arts, a modernist and art deco building designed by Victor Horta, the restaurant is run by chef Karen Torosyan, who has been awarded two Michelin stars.
Among the individual awards, Junghyun Park of Atomix was named best chef, while Jessica Rosval of Al Gatto Verde received the award for best female chef. Tuju in São Paulo was one of the most notable entries in the rankings, while Le Colombe in Cape Town was recognized as the best restaurant in Africa and Saint Peter in Sydney as the best in Oceania.
Beyond the rankings, The World's 50 Best Restaurants champions gastronomy as a space for cultural connection, creativity, and exchange. Rikki Tidball, 50 Best's Director of Events, emphasized during the gala that these awards are "more than a ranking" and represent the shared ideas, inspiration, and community built around cuisine.
The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026
Position | Restaurant | City and country |
1 | Etxebarri Grill | Atxondo, Bizkaia, Spain |
2 | Gaggan | Bangkok, Thailand |
3 | Alchemist | Copenhagen, Denmark |
4 | Quintonil | Mexico City, Mexico |
5 | Wing | Hong Kong |
6 | The Chairman | Hong Kong |
7 | Kjolle | Lima, Peru |
8 | Kadeau | Copenhagen, Denmark |
9 | DiverXO | Madrid, Spain |
10 | Plénitude | Paris, France |
11 | Atomix | New York, United States |
12 | Sorn | Bangkok, Thailand |
13 | Merit | 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 | Borago | Santiago, Chile |
23 | Vyn | Skillinge, Sweden |
24 | To the Green Cat | Modena, Italy |
25 | Lasai | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
26 | Masque | Bombay, India |
27 | Reale | Castel di Sangro, Italy |
28 | Trèsind Studio | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
29 | Enigma | Barcelona, Spain |
30 | Steirereck | Vienna, Austria |
31 | Celele | Cartagena de Indias, Colombia |
32 | Potong | Bangkok, Thailand |
33 | Elkano | Getaria, Spain |
34 | Le Coquillage | Saint-Meloir-des-Ondes, France |
35 | Le Colombe | Cape Town, South Africa |
36 | Ru Yuan | Hangzhou, China |
37 | Numa | Quito, Ecuador |
38 | Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler | Brunico, Italy |
39 | Schauenstein Castle | Fürstenau, Switzerland |
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 | The Short One | Bogotá, Colombia |
47 | Louis XV – Alain Ducasse | Monte Carlo, Monaco |
48 | Ikoyi | London, United Kingdom |
49 | Naar | Kasauli, India |
50 | Saint Peter | Sydney, Australia |
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