Trip.Gourmet’s 2026 Global Restaurant Rankings Spotlight Culinary Trends Across Eighteen Thousand Destinations: Here’s What You Need To Know

Trip.Gourmet, the famous food and travel guide of the Trip.com Group, has just published its most talked-about 2026 Global Restaurant Rankings, bringing to light more than 18,000 restaurants from 68 different countries. The list that pays tribute to the best culinary hotspots around the globe is not surprisingly causing a stir, as it mirrors the most recent dining trends that are transforming the culinary scene. The present year’s rankings demonstrate a significant change in food tourism with sustainability, local cuisines and new dining experiences as the key areas of focus.

As the world of culinary tourism continues to grow, food-related searches have surged by 30 percent year-on-year, underscoring the rising importance of food in travel planning. The new 2026 Global Restaurant Rankings take this evolving interest into account, offering a comprehensive guide to dining experiences that not only delight but also connect travellers with local cultures and stories.

The New Structure of the Rankings

Trip.Gourmet’s rankings have undergone a significant strategic upgrade, simplifying the previous categories into three key themes to reflect changing global dining habits. The categories now include:

• Fine Dining: The crème de la crème of restaurants, featuring prestigious establishments with Black Diamond, Diamond, and Platinum rankings.
• Must-Visit Restaurants: A blend of local gems, unique dining experiences, and casual eateries.
• Hometown Cuisines: A fresh addition aimed at catering to expatriates and overseas travellers, helping them find the flavours of home no matter where they are in the world.

The Hometown Cuisines theme is designed to cater to the increasing number of outbound tourists actively seeking regional dishes in foreign cities. Currently available in Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, this category features regional specialties such as Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian cuisines, among others.

Culinary Trends Reshaping the Dining Landscape

Several key trends have emerged in the latest rankings, reshaping dining experiences and drawing the attention of food lovers and travellers alike:

• Sustainability: More high-end restaurants are adopting zero-waste and farm-to-table practices. Restaurants like Narisawa (Japan) and Vanderlyle (UK) lead the charge by focusing on local, seasonal ingredients and sustainable sourcing.
• Fusion Cuisine: The blending of culinary traditions is on the rise. In Paris, Sola fuses Japanese techniques with French influences, while Potong in Bangkok marries Thai and Chinese flavours to create innovative dishes.
• Plant-Based and Vegetarian Dining: The plant-based revolution is evident, with upscale restaurants like Lamdre (Beijing) and Cookies Cream (Berlin) elevating vegetarian and vegan fine dining to new heights.
• Immersive Dining: Dining is increasingly about the experience. Unique venues such as Le Petit Chef in Kuala Lumpur, Ocean Restaurant in Singapore, and Elisa Floating Restaurant in Vietnam are offering immersive dining experiences that combine exceptional food with breathtaking atmospheres.
• Contemporary and Molecular Gastronomy: Alchemist (Copenhagen) and Noma (Denmark) continue to push the boundaries of gastronomy, while Labyrinth (Singapore) and Ling Long (Shanghai) explore new, science-driven approaches to cooking.

The Growing Importance of Culinary Tourism

According to Trip.com Group’s research, culinary tourism has become a dominant trend, with more travellers choosing their destinations based on the local food scene. In response to this demand, Trip.Gourmet has enhanced its platform to allow users to directly reserve tables at over 50,000 restaurants globally, streamlining the process of including gourmet dining experiences in travel itineraries.

Additionally, new travel + food products are now available, offering packages that pair guided tours and hotel stays with top restaurant experiences. These new offerings aim to enrich the travel experience and provide food lovers with the opportunity to explore the world through its cuisine.

Highlighting Iconic Dining Experiences

The rankings also feature iconic restaurants such as Plénitude (France), SÉZANNE (Japan), and La Pergola (Italy), which represent the pinnacle of fine dining. Many of these establishments are part of renowned luxury hotel chains like Four Seasons, The Ritz-Carlton, and Mandarin Oriental, ensuring an all-encompassing luxury experience for discerning travellers.

Chinese cuisine also makes a significant presence in the rankings, with prestigious restaurants such as Xīnróngjì and Lóngjǐng Xuān showcasing regional specialties and adding to the global recognition of China’s rich culinary traditions.

The Future of Culinary Travel

The release of Trip.Gourmet’s 2026 Global Restaurant Rankings marks a pivotal moment for culinary tourism, offering travellers a curated guide to some of the most exciting food destinations around the world. By spotlighting sustainability, fusion cuisine, and immersive dining experiences, the list provides a comprehensive look at how food is increasingly shaping the way people travel.

For food lovers seeking to explore the world through its flavours, Trip.Gourmet’s rankings are an essential tool for discovering new tastes, unforgettable experiences, and the best dining spots in key destinations. As culinary tourism continues to grow, these rankings serve as a gateway to a world of exploration, culture, and of course, exceptional food.

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