---
title: "Asador Etxebarri Wins Top Honors as World's Best Eatery"
url: https://newscentral.site/asador-etxebarri-wins-top-honors-as-world-s-best-eatery/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "Lifestyle"
published: 2026-11-05T02:54:41.000Z
updated: 2026-11-05T12:43:39.950Z
id: 6eae9a42-051a-4015-9d9a-90cb3016e8f0
source: "Bon Appetit https://www.bonappetit.com/story/50-best-restaurants-2026"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/asador-etxebarri-wins-top-honors-as-world-s-best-eatery/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Asador Etxebarri Wins Top Honors as World's Best Eatery

The Spanish restaurant Asador Etxebarri from the Basque Country in northern Spain was crowned the winner of The 50's annual list at an event held in Lima, Peru.

A Spanish restaurant has taken top honors as the world's best eatery according to a prestigious culinary ranking. Asador Etxebarri from the Basque Country in northern Spain was crowned the winner of The 50's annual list at an event held in Lima, Peru.

This year's ceremony marked a significant milestone for The 50 as it made its debut in South America, hosting the awards for the first time on the continent. The ceremony drew attention earlier this year when it was announced that Abu Dhabi would be the host city, but the controversy surrounding human rights issues did not seem to affect the event.

The Basque Country has a long tradition of culinary excellence and Asador Etxebarri is no exception. Its chef Bittor Arginzoniz has gained a reputation for his innovative use of wood in grilling, carefully matching the characteristics of different woods with the proteins being cooked over them.

Asador Etxebarri's success comes on the heels of its previous ranking as second-best restaurant on The 50 list. It maintains one Michelin star and offers tasting menus priced at around $337 per person.

The ceremony for the World's 50 Best Restaurants list has been relocated to Peru, a move that was announced in June. This decision comes after Maido, the Lima restaurant that topped the list last year, is not eligible to participate this time around.

Maido's achievement has earned it a spot on the organization's Best of the Best list, alongside other past number ones such as Disfrutar from Barcelona and Eleven Madison Park from New York. These restaurants have demonstrated exceptional culinary excellence in their respective years.

Quintonil, led by chefs Jorge Vallejo and Alejandra Flores, secured the fourth position on this year's list. This two-Michelin starred restaurant in Mexico City showcases local ingredients in innovative ways through its prix-fixe menu.

The November menu at Quintonil features dishes such as lobster in a pipián verde with makrut lime and an heirloom white corn tamal made with ayocote beans and young corn cream, priced around $327 per person. This culinary experience is just one example of the creative offerings found on The 50 best restaurants list.

Alchemist in Copenhagen secured the fifth position, holding two Michelin stars and ranked fifth on The 50 last year. Meanwhile, Gaggan in Bangkok claimed Asia's Best Restaurant title behind the innovative Indian cooking of chef Gaggan Anand, ranking at number two overall.

The voting process behind The 50 Best Restaurants list is a complex one, involving over 1,100 voters from 28 regions around the world. Each year, a quarter of these voters are new, bringing fresh perspectives to the table.

These voters comprise three distinct groups: chefs and restaurateurs, food writers, and self-proclaimed "well-travelled gourmets. Together, they form the backbone of The 50's voting body, with no single group holding sway over the others.

The voting process is designed to be anonymous, with Academy Chairs being the only exception. This ensures that voters are free to express their opinions without fear of retribution or bias.

Despite this anonymity, some restaurants and tourism boards have been accused of trying to influence the outcome by paying for travel, meals, and other expenses in an attempt to boost their standing on the list.

Ana Ros, a prominent chef from Slovenia, has spoken out against the current system. She claims that success within The 50 Best Restaurants ranking now depends heavily on visibility within the system, with restaurants competing for votes among a select group of influential individuals.

The World's 50 Best Restaurants ranking has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability, but some chefs are optimistic about the future of the list.

Hisa Franko, a restaurant that was ranked No. 60 on the latest list, has seen its position fluctuate over the past few years. It dropped from No. 69 last year to No. 48 in 2024, and is now No. 60 this year.

Other chefs are also celebrating their success within the ranking system. Ros, whose restaurant was ranked high on the list, considers it a fantastic result regardless of where it falls.

The ceremony for The World's 50 Best Restaurants will be a time to celebrate the achievements of all those involved in the ranking process.

The results of this year's 50 Best" list have been announced, and the top spot has gone to Gaggan in Bangkok, Thailand, a restaurant that has consistently impressed critics with its innovative take on Indian cuisine.

Other notable entries include Quintonil in Mexico City, Mexico, which ranked third, and Asador Etxebarri in Axpe, Spain, which failed to make it into the top 50. Rounding out the top ten are Atomix in New York, United States, at number ten, and Plénitude in Paris, France, at number nine.

The list showcases a diverse range of restaurants from around the world, each with its own unique character and style.

---
Source: [Bon Appetit](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/50-best-restaurants-2026)  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/asador-etxebarri-wins-top-honors-as-world-s-best-eatery/
