The Chairman in Hong Kong has been named The Best Restaurant in Asia at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 awards, held in Hong Kong on 25 March 2026, marking its return to the top position since first winning in 2021.
The annual ranking, compiled by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, spans 17 cities this year, reflecting the diversity and continued evolution of dining across the region.
Rikki Tidball, Managing Director – Events, 50 Best, says: “This year’s ranking brings together a remarkable collection of much-loved restaurants across 17 cities in the region. Heartfelt congratulations go to all the restaurants on the list, especially The Chairman on being named No.1 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026. The restaurant’s dedication to honouring refined Cantonese traditions and exceptional ingredient-driven cooking truly sets it apart. The commitment to culinary excellence and boundary-pushing gastronomy demonstrated by all of the restaurants on the list is a tribute to the exceptional talent and innovative spirit that define Asia’s vibrant restaurant scene.”
Indonesia’s Growing Presence on the Regional Stage
Indonesia’s representation this year highlights a continued shift in how its dining scene is positioned within Asia.
Jakarta’s August ranks at No.42, earning the title of The Best Restaurant in Indonesia, while Chef Ardhika Dwitama is recognised as Asia’s Best Pastry Chef, sponsored by Valrhona.
In Bali, Locavore NXT enters the list at No.44, marking Ubud’s first appearance in the 1–50 ranking. The restaurant’s inclusion signals a broader recognition of Indonesia’s evolving culinary landscape, particularly through concepts that focus on local sourcing, research, and sustainability.
Together, these achievements reflect two parallel directions within Indonesia’s dining scene—one grounded in refinement and contemporary Indonesian cooking, and another shaped by experimentation and hyperlocal systems.
Regional Highlights Across Asia
Beyond Indonesia, the list reflects strong performances from major dining cities. Bangkok leads with nine restaurants, followed by Tokyo with seven, while Hong Kong, Seoul, and Singapore each secure six spots.
New entries and re-entries continue to shape the ranking, with Hangzhou’s Ru Yuan (No.10) named Highest New Entry and Beijing’s Lamdre (No.17) awarded Highest Climber.
Across the list, restaurants demonstrate a wide range of culinary approaches—from traditional Cantonese cooking at The Chairman to contemporary interpretations of regional cuisines, reflecting how chefs across Asia continue to redefine their culinary identity through local ingredients and techniques.
A Broader Reflection of Asia’s Dining Landscape
The 2026 list also introduces new cities such as Kasauli, Penang, and Ubud into the top 50, underscoring a wider geographical spread and growing diversity within the region’s dining scene.
With recognition spanning established culinary capitals and emerging destinations, this year’s results highlight how Asia’s restaurant landscape continues to evolve, driven by both heritage and innovation.
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 Top 50 List:
- The Chairman — Hong Kong
- Wing — Hong Kong
- Gaggan — Bangkok
- Mingles — Seoul
- Nusara — Bangkok
- Meet the Bund — Shanghai
- Chef Tam’s Seasons — Macau
- Gaggan at Louis Vuitton — Bangkok
- Ling Long — Shanghai
- Ru Yuan — Hangzhou
- Fu He Hui — Shanghai
- Sorn — Bangkok
- La Cime — Osaka
- Onjium — Seoul
- Masque — Mumbai
- Sézanne — Tokyo
- Lamdre — Beijing
- Sühring — Bangkok
- Odette — Singapore
- Seroja — Singapore
- Sazenka — Tokyo
- Logy — Taipei
- Born — Singapore
- Neighborhood — Hong Kong
- Potong — Bangkok
- Eatanic Garden — Seoul
- Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh — Bangkok
- Maz — Tokyo
- 102 House — Shanghai
- Naar — Kasauli
- Florilège — Tokyo
- Estro — Hong Kong
- Myoujyaku — Tokyo
- Crony — Tokyo
- Caprice — Hong Kong
- Le Du — Bangkok
- Narisawa — Tokyo
- Les Amis — Singapore
- Au Jardin — Penang
- Labyrinth — Singapore
- Mosu — Seoul
- August — Jakarta
- Bium — Seoul
- Locavore NXT — Ubud
- Nae:Um — Singapore
- Mono — Hong Kong
- Wana Yook — Bangkok
- La Bourriche 133 — Shanghai
- 7th Door — Seoul
- JL Studio — Taichung
