Hong Kong Hosts Asia's 50 Best First Time
Hong Kong is hosting the prestigious Asia's 50 Best Restaurants awards for the first time ever, igniting a citywide culinary celebration throughout March. Top chefs, foodies, and critics are descending on Hong Kong for tastings, pop-ups, and gala events. The move underscores Hong Kong's standing as a global culinary hub and signals continued momentum in Asia's fine dining scene.
The main awards ceremony is slated for March 25, 2026, anchoring a full week of culinary events from March 20-26. This marks the first time the prestigious event, sponsored by S. Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, has been held in Hong Kong. A key feature of the celebration is the "50 Best Signature Sessions," a series of 11 exclusive collaborations between top international chefs and Hong Kong's own acclaimed restaurants. These one-night-only menus will see culinary partnerships such as Feuille from Hong Kong joining forces with Beijing's Lamdre for a plant-based menu and Wing restaurant collaborating with Onjium from Seoul. The decision to host follows a strong performance by the city's dining scene. In the 2024 awards held in Seoul, six Hong Kong restaurants made the top 50 list, including The Chairman (No. 4) and Wing (No. 5). Wing also received the Highest Climber Award that year, jumping 32 spots. Beyond the official program, the city will see a wide array of additional chef-driven events. Highlights include a multi-night celebration of Chinese regional cuisines featuring chefs from Yong Fu in Hong Kong and Shanghai, alongside Jade Dragon from Macau. The event is a collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, which aims to leverage the gathering of top chefs, restaurateurs, and media to reaffirm the city's status as a premier global culinary destination. The move comes after a landmark year in 2025 for Hong Kong, where venues from the city were named both The World's Best Bar and The World's Best Hotel. The winners are determined by a panel of over 350 restaurant industry experts from across Asia, with a 50/50 gender balance in the voting academy. The countdown and awards ceremony will be broadcast live, allowing food enthusiasts globally to follow the announcements.
