Asia's dining industry celebrates prestigious awards

By Li Yingxue????|????chinadaily.com.cn????|???? Updated: 2026-03-27 15:46

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Cantonese restaurant The Chairman rose from its No 2 position last year to recapture the title of The Best Restaurant in Asia, an honor it previously held in 2021.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese gastronomy took center stage at Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 award ceremony on Wednesday in Hong Kong, with Hong Kong's Cantonese trailblazer, The Chairman, claiming the coveted No 1 spot once again.

Leading a formidable showing by restaurants across China, the 2026 list highlights the region's dedication to preserving traditional culinary heritage while driving modern innovation.

The Chairman rose from its No 2 position last year to recapture the title of The Best Restaurant in Asia, an honor it previously held in 2021. The restaurant is celebrated for its unwavering dedication to forgotten luxury Cantonese ingredients.

Steamed Seasonal Fish from Chef Tam's Seasons.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Closely following at No 2 was another Hong Kong standout, Wing, where chef-owner Vicky Cheng elegantly revolutionizes Chinese culinary traditions with French finesse. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area also celebrated key victories in the top 10, with Macao's opulent Chef Tam's Seasons taking No 7 and the title of The Best Restaurant in Macao.

The Chinese mainland demonstrated its vibrant culinary evolution through significant historical milestones and debuts. Shanghai's Meet the Bund continued its impressive ascent to No 6, once again securing the title of The Best Restaurant in the Chinese Mainland.

In Beijing, seasonal plant-based restaurant Lamdre soared an incredible 33 places to land at No 17, capturing the Highest Climber Award. Meanwhile, Hangzhou's Ru Yuan reinvigorated old-school local flavors to debut strongly at No 10, earning the Highest New Entry Award.

Porcini from Lamdre. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Beyond the restaurant rankings, prominent Chinese industry leaders were recognized for their profound impact on the gastronomic world. Zhang Yong, the visionary founder of the esteemed Xin Rong Ji group, was honored with the Icon Award, while Hong Kong's Peggy Chan received the Champions of Change Award for her regenerative farming advocacy.

Rikki Tidball, managing director of Events for 50 Best, praised the regional winner: "The Chairman's dedication to honoring 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."