The world’s finest restaurants, celebrated culinary destinations and innovative hospitality brands have received international recognition at the 2026 World Culinary Awards, highlighting the growing role of gastronomy in shaping travel experiences and attracting visitors from around the globe.
Held at Princess Grand Jamaica, the seventh annual World Culinary Awards brought together leading figures from the restaurant, hospitality and tourism industries to celebrate the creativity, talent and innovation redefining the global food landscape. The ceremony also underscored how food has evolved beyond a basic travel necessity into a powerful cultural attraction, capable of drawing visitors, strengthening destination identities and creating lasting connections between people and places.
Among the evening’s most prestigious honours, The Cullinan Dubai was named World’s Best Restaurant, placing Dubai among the destinations making a significant mark on the international culinary scene. Don Alfonso 1890 in Canada received the title of World’s Best Fine Dining Experience, recognising the continuing appeal of exceptional cuisine, refined service and memorable dining experiences.
Other major honours went to La Pergola at Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, which was named World’s Best Hotel Restaurant; Peru’s Quipas Restaurante, recognised as World’s Best New Restaurant; Nobu, which won World’s Best Restaurant Brand; and the Saigontourist Group Culinary Culture, Delicacies Festival, named World’s Best Culinary Festival.
Together, the winners reflect the diversity of a global industry in which established fine-dining institutions, emerging restaurant concepts and culinary festivals are all contributing to the way people discover and experience different cultures.
Food emerges as a powerful driver of global travel
As international travellers increasingly seek experiences that go beyond conventional sightseeing, food has become an important part of the decision to visit a destination. From traditional street food and regional specialities to contemporary fine dining, culinary experiences offer visitors an opportunity to understand a place through its flavours, customs and heritage.
The 2026 destination awards reflect this shift, recognising countries and cities that have successfully made food an integral part of their international identity. The United States was crowned World’s Best Culinary Destination, while New York City secured the title of World’s Best Culinary City Destination, reinforcing the appeal of destinations known for their diversity of cuisines, vibrant restaurant cultures and ability to bring global food traditions together.
Regional winners further demonstrated the international reach of gastronomy. South Africa was named Africa’s Best Culinary Destination, Bangkok received the title of Asia’s Best Culinary City Destination, and Jamaica was recognised as the Caribbean’s Best Culinary Destination.
In Europe, Barcelona won Europe’s Best Culinary City Destination, while Peru claimed the Latin American culinary destination title. Sydney was named Oceania’s Best Culinary City Destination, reflecting the continuing popularity of cities that combine distinctive local food traditions with international influences.
These honours highlight how culinary identity can become an important part of a destination’s appeal, supporting tourism, encouraging visitors to explore local communities and creating opportunities for restaurants, producers and hospitality businesses.
Culinary innovation extends beyond the restaurant
The awards also recognised the growing range of experiences through which the hospitality and travel industries are placing food at the centre of the visitor experience. Lebua at State Tower in Thailand was named World’s Best Culinary Hotel, while Forte Village Resort received the title of World’s Best Culinary Resort. At.Mosphere Burj Khalifa was recognised as World’s Best Culinary Experience, and Sandals Dunn’s River in Jamaica won World’s Best All-Inclusive Culinary Resort.
The honours illustrate how hotels and resorts are increasingly treating food as a defining element of their identity, with dining experiences helping to distinguish properties and create memorable stays for guests. Education and professional development also received attention, with The Culinary Institute of America named World’s Best Culinary Training Institution. Star Princess was recognised as World’s Best Culinary Cruise Ship, highlighting the importance of dining in the cruise sector, where food is an integral part of the overall passenger experience.
Beyond restaurants and resorts, the awards acknowledged businesses and venues that have made culinary experiences accessible in different settings. Occasions Caterers was named World’s Best Catering Company, while Mall of America received the title of World’s Best Shopping Mall for Dining.
Turkish Airlines International Lounges won World’s Best Airline Lounge for Dining, and The International Kitchen was recognised as World’s Best Culinary Tour Operator. The range of winners demonstrates how culinary excellence now extends across the wider tourism ecosystem, from airport lounges and shopping destinations to organised food tours, catering services and cruise holidays.
Celebrating culture through food
For many travellers, discovering a destination’s cuisine is among the most direct ways of experiencing its culture. Local ingredients, traditional cooking methods and family recipes often tell stories of migration, geography and generations of shared heritage.
At the same time, chefs and hospitality businesses are finding new ways to reinterpret traditional dishes, introduce unfamiliar flavours and respond to changing expectations around dining. This combination of heritage and innovation has helped make gastronomy an increasingly influential component of international tourism.
Commenting on the 2026 winners, Rina van Staden, Director of World Culinary Awards, said the honourees demonstrated the exceptional talent, imagination and dedication driving the global culinary industry. She noted that food has the ability to bring people together, celebrate cultural identity and inspire travel, adding that Jamaica provided a fitting setting for this year’s celebrations because of its own rich culinary heritage.
The choice of Jamaica also placed the spotlight on the relationship between a destination’s food culture and its wider tourism appeal, with local flavours and culinary traditions forming an important part of the visitor experience.
The 2026 awards ultimately reflect an industry that continues to evolve while remaining rooted in a universal idea: exceptional food can transcend borders, connect cultures and turn a visit into a memorable experience.
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