The culinary world’s center of gravity shifted to Lima this week as the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list crowned Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain, as the globe’s premier dining destination. Chef Bittor Arguinzoniz’s mastery of wood-fired Basque cuisine secured the top spot, ending a two-year run in second place, while Jessica Rosval’s Al Gatto Verde in Modena earned the Best Female Chef award.
Three Fast Facts on the 2026 Ranking
- The Champion: Bittor Arguinzoniz’s Asador Etxebarri took No. 1, with the ceremony at Lima’s Teatro Municipal marking the first time in 24 years the event was held in South America.
- Italian Momentum: While the nation saw a mix of gains and losses, Enrico Crippa’s Piazza Duomo jumped from 39th to 20th place, becoming the highest-ranked Italian establishment.
- The Rising Star: Jessica Rosval’s Al Gatto Verde surged from 92nd place in 2025 to 24th this year, marking a massive debut for the Modena-based restaurant.
The Basque Fire Dominates the Global Palate
For Bittor Arguinzoniz, the path to the summit was forged in the heat of the hearth. The chef grew up in a home where his mother and grandmother cooked over an open fire, a technique he has spent decades refining.
The shift toward technique-driven dining—exemplified by Etxebarri’s 14-course menu—reflects a trend in high-end gastronomy where simplicity is a focus. The 2026 list also recognized global regional leaders, including Gaggan in Bangkok for Asia, Quintonil in Mexico City for Latin America, Atomix in New York for North America, Trèsind Studio in Dubai for the Middle East, La Colombe in Cape Town for Africa, and Saint Peter in Sydney for Oceania.
Italy’s Mixed Performance in the 2026 Rankings
The Italian culinary scene experienced a volatile year, impacted by a voting cycle extended by six months following the 2025 finale in Turin. While Piazza Duomo saw a significant climb, other stalwarts faced downward pressure. Niko Romito’s Reale in Castel di Sangro slipped from 18th to 27th, and Norbert Niederkofler’s Atelier Moessmer in Brunico fell to 38th. Le Calandre in Rubano dropped from 31st to 43rd. Uliassi in Senigallia currently sits just outside the top 50 at number 51.
| Restaurant | 2026 Rank | 2025 Rank (Change) |
|---|---|---|
| Piazza Duomo (Alba) | 20 | 39 (+19) |
| Al Gatto Verde (Modena) | 24 | 92 (+68) |
| Reale (Castel di Sangro) | 27 | 18 (-9) |
| Atelier Moessmer (Brunico) | 38 | 20 (-18) |
Jessica Rosval and the Evolution of the Modena Scene
Jessica Rosval’s recognition as Best Female Chef is a milestone for the Modena-based restaurant, which operates under the umbrella of Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore’s Francescana Family. Al Gatto Verde is an evolution of the “Tòla Dòlza” Sunday sessions, which began in 2020. The restaurant, located in the park of Casa Maria Luigia, has become a laboratory for blending Canadian roots with Emilian tradition. “The world of Italian fairy tales is a vivid landscape where we learn courage, prudence, and wonder,” Rosval noted regarding the current menu, titled Le Fiabe.
The kitchen team includes sous-chef Alessia Belladonna, while Denis Bretta and sommelier Zakaria Labib manage the dining room. Rosval’s work extends well beyond the kitchen. She is a co-founder of the Association for the Integration of Women and the social restaurant Roots, which provides professional training for migrant women.
The Global Shifts in Culinary Influence
Other notable winners included Tuju in São Paulo, which took home the Art of Hospitality Award and the Highest New Entry Award, and Yiaga, which received the Visa One to Watch Award. Junghyun Park of New York’s Atomix won the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award, while Ferran Adrià received the SevenRooms Icon Award. Additional honors went to Dej Kewkacha for Best Pastry Chef, Lesley Liu for Best Sommelier, and Naar in Kasauli for the Sustainable Restaurant Award. Ghana Food Movement received the Champions of Change Award, while Doris Lam was awarded the 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship.
Let us know what you think of the new ranking in the comments below.
