
The award ceremony for the World’s 50 Best Restaurant 2025, presented by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, was not only a lavish celebration of top cuisine, but also a clear statement: fine dining is at a crossroads – and is becoming more political, more conscious, more future-oriented.
In the midst of this powerful atmosphere, Maido in Lima was named World's Best Restaurant 2025 by chef Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura. The celebrated Nikkei cuisine, a harmonious interplay of Japanese technique and Peruvian soul, catapulted from 5th place last year to the top of the world. A tribute to precision, origin and innovation - packaged in over ten courses full of cultural depth.
It is impressive that the supporting program around the award ceremony in Turin was accompanied by exciting talks about the future of fine dining, social responsibility and sustainability. Michelin-awarded chefs and international industry leaders discussed how gastronomy can not only be a sphere of pleasure, but also a social lever. One highlight among many: The moving award for Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore with the Woodford Reserve Icon Award, for their initiatives Food for Soul and the Tortellante Project - a prime example of how hospitality can have a social impact.
In addition to Maido, the Basque Asador Etxebarri (2nd place) with its purist fire cuisine and the Mexican Quintonil (3rd place) landed on the podium. The latter is run by Jorge Vallejo and Alejandra Flores, with whom I was able to have a fascinating conversation on site about local ingredients and social responsibility - a duo with vision.
The progressive Potong in Bangkok (13th place) was honored with the Highest New Entry Award. London's Ikoyi (15th place) was named Highest Climber. The title of Best Pastry Chef 2025 went to Parisian Maxime Frédéric - his work is a symphony of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The prize for the most sustainable restaurant went to Celele in Cartagena, Colombia, which is setting new standards with wild-collected ingredients, regional roots and biodiversity initiatives.
Touching: the return of the 50 Best Scholarship program. Colombian up-and-coming chef Angélica Ortiz will be studying at El Celler de Can Roca and SingleThread - a springboard for the next generation.
Overall, the 22 countries represented with 10 new entries reflect a growing global diversity. Austria is also represented: Vienna's Steirereck is a culinary fixed star in 33rd place.
| Position | Restaurant | Location |
| 1 | Maido | Lima |
| 2 | Asador Etxebarri | Atxondo |
| 3 | Quintonil | Mexico City |
| 4 | Diverxo | Madrid |
| 5 | Alchemist | Copenhagen |
| 6 | Gaggan | Bangkok |
| 7 | Sézanne | Tokyo |
| 8 | Table by Bruno Verjus | Paris |
| 9 | Kjolle | Lima |
| 10 | Don Julio | Buenos Aires |
| 11 | Wing | Hong Kong |
| 12 | Atomix | New York |
| 13 | Potong | Bangkok |
| 14 | Plénitude | Paris |
| 15 | Ikoyi | London |
| 16 | Lido 84 | Gardone Riviera |
| 17 | Sorn | Bangkok |
| 18 | Reale | Castel di Sangro |
| 19 | The Chairman | Hong Kong |
| 20 | Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler | Brunico |
| 21 | Narisawa | Tokyo |
| 22 | Sühring | Bangkok |
| 23 | Boragó | Santiago |
| 24 | Elkano | Getaria |
| 25 | Odette | Singapore |
| 26 | Mérito | Lima |
| 27 | Trèsind Studio | Dubai |
| 28 | Lasai | Rio de Janeiro |
| 29 | Mingles | Seoul |
| 30 | Le Du | Bangkok |
| 31 | Le Calandre | Rubano |
| 32 | Piazza Duomo | Alba |
| 33 | Steirereck | Vienna |
| 34 | Enigma | Barcelona |
| 35 | Nusara | Bangkok |
| 36 | Florilège | Tokyo |
| 37 | Orfali Bros | Dubai |
| 38 | Frantzén | Stockholm |
| 39 | Mayta | Lima |
| 40 | Septime | Paris |
| 41 | Kadeau | Copenhagen |
| 42 | Belcanto | Lisbon |
| 43 | Uliassi | Senigallia |
| 44 | La Cime | Osaka |
| 45 | Arpège | Paris |
| 46 | Rosetta | Mexico City |
| 47 | Vyn | Skillinge |
| 48 | Celele | Cartagena |
| 49 | Kol | London |
| 50 | Restaurant Jan | Munich |
This 50 Best issue was more than just a ranking - it was a statement. For culture, for sustainability, for a new generation of restaurateurs. Today more than ever, fine dining is a stage for attitude. And Turin has shown this in a big way.
Francesco Martucci of I Masanielli in Caserta was named The Best Pizza Chef 2026 at The Best Pizza Awards 2026 in Milan. For the second year running. But the award tells more than just the story of a winner: it shows just how global, creative and sophisticated pizza has become today. From Naples to Milan, New York, Tokyo, Las Vegas and Antwerp, pizza is being reimagined: at the intersection of craftsmanship, identity, dough culture and the culinary future.
Vienna became the setting for one of the most demanding examinations in the international wine world: in June 2026, six candidates passed the Master Sommelier Diploma awarded by the Court of Master Sommeliers Europe. From an Austrian perspective, the spotlight is particularly on Suvad “Suwi” Zlatic, a Tyrolean with Bosnian roots, a multi-award-winning sommelier, coach, trainer and founder of Suwine. His success is not only a personal milestone, but also a strong signal for the Austrian sommelier community.
A humpback whale is more than just a spectacular sight. It is a symbol of how closely nature, travel and responsibility are intertwined today. When guests at One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos are able to observe these majestic marine mammals during their seasonal migration between December and April, it is not just about an iconic wildlife experience. It is about raising awareness.
Humpback whales are among the most fascinating inhabitants of the oceans. Their tail fin patterns are as unique as a human fingerprint. At the same time, they play a vital role in the marine ecosystem: through their movements and excretions, whales help to distribute nutrients in the sea and promote the growth of phytoplankton. This, in turn, sequesters carbon dioxide and produces oxygen.
This is precisely where the new relevance lies: biodiversity is the foundation of every destination and is thus becoming a decisive quality feature for luxury hotels, resorts and responsible tour operators.
The award ceremony for the World’s 50 Best Restaurant 2025, presented by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, was not only a lavish celebration of top cuisine, but also a clear statement: fine dining is at a crossroads – and is becoming more political, more conscious, more future-oriented.