On the evening of 26 May 2026, one of Indonesia’s most respected culinary awards platforms made its long-awaited comeback. Best Eats by FoodieS 2026 returned with a full evening at The Observatory at Park Hyatt Jakarta, bringing together leading restaurateurs, acclaimed chefs, hospitality executives, and culinary media for a night dedicated to celebrating the country’s dining culture in its current — and arguably most exciting — form.
Founded in 2017, Best Eats by FoodieS is Indonesia’s first objective restaurant awards platform, built on an expert-led and transparent judging process. Restaurants are evaluated not only on culinary execution but also on consistency, hospitality, creativity, innovation, and overall dining experience.
This year’s Top 100 was divided into three categories — Fine Dining, Upmarket Venues, and Casual Dining — a structure that reflects the breadth and maturity of Indonesia’s current restaurant landscape. The list spans Jakarta, Bali, Bandung, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Solo, Pontianak, Labuan Bajo, and Tangerang Selatan — a geography that underlines how far the country’s dining culture has spread beyond its two major culinary cities.
“This platform is not merely about announcing FoodieS’ list of top restaurants; it serves as a ‘seal of quality’ that builds confidence among both travelers and investors in the tremendous potential of Indonesia’s food and beverage industry.” — Ari Prasetio, Secretary of the Deputy for Industry and Investment, Ministry of Tourism
The evening’s Top 10 countdown culminated in the announcement of four special awards: Best New Opening, Best Hospitality, Chef of the Year, and Restaurant of the Year. Kindling in Jakarta was named Restaurant of the Year; Chef Ryan Thejasukmana of Costa took Chef of the Year; August received the Best Hospitality award alongside its No. 4 ranking; and Li Lian at Park Hyatt Jakarta was named Best New Opening at No. 10.
“Best Eats is not only a recognition of excellence, but also a celebration of how far Indonesia’s dining culture has evolved. The industry continues to grow with incredible creativity, resilience, and ambition, and we are proud to bring the community together again through this platform. By shining a spotlight on these restaurants, we hope to ensure that every night at these award-winning restaurants is a full house!” — Jed Doble, Publisher, FoodieS
The return of Best Eats arrives at a time when Indonesia’s food and beverage industry continues to gain stronger international attention, driven by a new generation of chefs, innovative restaurant concepts, and increasingly sophisticated dining experiences. Two Indonesian restaurants — August at No. 42 and Locavore NXT at No. 44 — also appear on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list announced in March, further underscoring the growing regional standing of Indonesian dining.
