Fooding 2026: Paris No Longer Reigns Supreme as France’s Culinary Capital – Breaking News
Paris, France – November 17, 2025 – The annual Fooding guide, a bellwether of French gastronomic trends, dropped its 2026 rankings tonight, and the results are sending ripples through the culinary world. In a stunning departure from tradition, the guide has awarded just three restaurants in Paris out of a total of eighteen winners, signaling a significant shift away from the capital as the undisputed center of French dining. This is breaking news for food lovers and industry professionals alike, and a clear indication of a changing landscape.
Moko Irayama and Omar Koreitem, of Mokonuts, receive the Fooding of Honor 2026. (Photo: Anne-Claire Héraud for Télérama)
A Culinary Exodus: The Rise of Regional Dining
For 25 years, Fooding has been known for championing “bistronomy” – a relaxed, innovative approach to French cuisine. But this year’s awards paint a picture of a gastronomic scene blossoming outside of Paris. Cities like Marseille, Clermont-Ferrand, and even small villages in the Jura mountains are taking center stage. The guide’s co-founder, Alexandre Cammas, noted this shift reflects a slowing of the Parisian scene, a trend that began in the 2010s and has accelerated post-COVID.
The south of France is particularly prominent, with three awards going to Marseille restaurants – Suffren, Tetro, and Megan Moore (Bonnies) – and another to an establishment in the Alpes-Maritimes. This confirms a trend already visible in 2024, with Marseille challenging Lyon’s long-held title as France’s culinary hotspot. New Aquitaine, particularly the Basque coast, also saw increased recognition, with two addresses this year and four in 2025.
Beyond the City Limits: Celebrating Rural Innovation
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the Fooding 2026 awards is the celebration of rural dining. La Maison de la Pia, named “Table of the Year,” is located in a village of fewer than 2,000 inhabitants. Similarly, the Auberge de Bellevie, recognized for its “Better Team Spirit,” is nestled in the heart of the Jura. This highlights a growing desire for authentic, locally-sourced experiences, and a rejection of the often-sterile atmosphere of big-city restaurants.
Mokonuts Honored: A Parisian Beacon
While Paris may be losing ground overall, the guide did recognize exceptional talent within the capital. Mokonuts, run by Moko Irayama and Omar Koreitem, received the prestigious “Fooding of Honor” award, a testament to their innovative approach and enduring popularity. The Renaissance bistro also earned a nod, showcasing that Paris still has culinary gems worth celebrating.
The Changing Face of French Gastronomy: A Look Ahead
The Fooding 2026 awards aren’t just about individual restaurants; they reflect a broader shift in French gastronomy. The post-COVID era has seen restaurateurs and diners alike reassess their priorities, leading to a greater emphasis on sustainability, regional ingredients, and a more relaxed dining experience. The rise of “green” addresses – restaurants prioritizing local and seasonal produce – further underscores this trend. The guide’s own price increase, mirroring the rising costs across the industry, acknowledges the economic realities facing restaurants today.
This year’s Fooding guide isn’t just a list of great places to eat; it’s a snapshot of a culinary landscape in flux. It’s a reminder that the best food experiences aren’t always found in the most obvious places, and that the future of French gastronomy may lie in embracing the diversity and innovation of its regions.
Full List of Fooding 2026 Award Winners:
- Best table: La Maison de la Pia, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, Alpes-Maritimes, Curtains
- Best antidepressant: Suffren, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, Bouches-du-Rhône, Marseille
- Best fishing return: Tetro, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, Bouches-du-Rhône, Marseille
- Best seat: Megan Moore (Bonnies), Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, Bouches-du-Rhone, Marseille
- Fooding of love: Testa Dura, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Gironde, Bordeaux
- Best mountain restaurant: Le Café de la Poste, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Haute-Savoie, Nâves-Parmelan
- Best vegetable garden: Girls in Boots, Brittany, Ille-et-Vilaine, Saint-Georges-de-Reintembault
- Better team spirit: Auberge de Bellevie, Burgundy-Franche-Comté, Jura, Grozon
- Best style bedroom: Trama en Perche, Normandy, Orne, Mortagne-au-Why
- Best dinner: Pochana, Île-de-France, Paris
- Best neighborhood cafe: At La Renaissance, Île-de-France, Paris
- Honorary food: Moko Hirayama and Omar Koreitem (Mokonuts, Mokoloco, Mokochaya), Île-de-France, Paris
- Best pastry chef: Fanny Payre (Fadoli), Île-de-France, Seine-Saint-Denis, Montreuil
- Best village café: Le Vieux Four, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Puy-de-Dôme, Chas
- Best counter: Central counter of the Bazars, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Puy-de-Dome, Clermont-Ferrand
- Fooding of love: Fargeot, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Saint-Jean-of-Light
- Best bistro: La Virée, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Rhône, Lyon
- Best wine merchant: Aaron Ayscough (La Cave du Centre), Burgundy-Franche-Comté, Saône-et-Loire, Chagny
The Fooding 2026 guide is available for purchase from Thursday, November 20, 2025, for €25. Stay tuned to Archyde.com for ongoing coverage of the French culinary scene and expert insights into the latest food trends. For more in-depth analysis and the complete ranking, visit the Fooding website.
