The awards ceremony for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 took place on June 19 in Turin — the first time the event has been held in Italy. As usual, the lead-up included all the signature activities: 50 Best Talks, exclusive dinners for chefs, press, and chairpersons — to be covered in a separate firsthand report. For now, let’s focus on the main event, which gathered the entire global gastronomic elite under one roof at the Lingotto Fiere complex.
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is one of the most influential culinary awards in the world. Unlike the Michelin Guide, which relies on anonymous inspectors, this ranking is based on an open voting system that reflects the opinions of industry professionals.
The world is divided into 27 regions, each overseen by an Academy Chair who assembles a panel of 40 voters:
Each participant selects 10 restaurants that impressed them over the past 18 months, with at least four located outside their home country. The evaluation doesn’t rely on stars or formal criteria — it’s based on personal experience, which is what gives this ranking its power.
The full list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 is available on the official website.
Best in Country/Region:
Best New Entry: Potong (Bangkok) — Debuted at #13, the highest-ranking newcomer.
World’s Best Female Chef: Pichaya «Pam» Soontornyanakij (Potong, Bangkok) — First Asian chef to win the title, a true genius.
Art of Hospitality Award: Wing (Hong Kong) — Recognized for exceptional service.
Highest Climber: Ikoyi (London) — Jumped from #42 to #15, the year’s biggest leap.
Icon Award: Massimo Bottura & Lara Gilmore (Osteria Francescana) — The most famous couple in gastronomy honored for their contributions to hospitality and social initiatives.
One to Watch Award: Khufu’s (Cairo) — The restaurant to follow in 2025, a likely contender ofr next year’s list.
World’s Best Sommelier: Mohamed Benabdallah (Asador Etxebarri, Axpe)
World’s Best Pastry Chef: Maxime Frédéric (Cheval Blanc, Paris)
Photos: The World’s 50 Best Restaurants press office