Asia's 50 Best Restaurants for 2019

After five years, Asia has a new champion for its 'Best Restaurant' title.

The prestigious Asia's 50 Best Restaurants awards were presented at Wynn Palace in Macau on Tuesday evening.

The star-studded event, backed by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, is often regarded as the Oscars of Asian fine dining, uniting leading chefs from across the continent to honor culinary excellence.

Now in its seventh year, the list is curated through votes cast by 300 industry experts, including chefs, food critics, writers, and restaurateurs.

Odette, located in Singapore, claimed the top honor, dethroning Gaggan, Bangkok's four-time champion restaurant, and securing second place.

Under the guidance of Chef Julien Royer, Odette, situated in Singapore's National Gallery, offers a fusion of modern French cuisine with Asian influences.

In his acceptance speech, Royer expressed gratitude, saying, 'What can I say? It was unexpected, and we're incredibly thankful to everyone who supports our food, our cuisine, and our restaurant.'

Royer continued, 'The last four years have been incredible since we opened. It's not just about the food, it’s more than that. Tonight is a special moment for us. We're so happy and thankful.'

Odette's rise in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants rankings has been remarkable.

Named after Chef Royer’s maternal grandmother, Odette won the 'Asia’s Highest New Entry Award' in 2017 and climbed to number five in 2018. Last year, it made its debut on the 'World’s 50 Best Restaurants' list, securing the 28th position.

Singapore had a strong presence on the list, with seven restaurants featured, including Burnt Ends at No. 10 and Jaan at No. 32.

Japan dominates the evening.

Japan claimed the highest number of spots in the top 50 this year, with 12 restaurants represented.

Tokyo’s Den secured the No. 3 position, marking its second consecutive year as Japan’s top restaurant. Three other Japanese establishments also made the top 10: Florilège at No. 5, Narisawa at No. 8, and Nihonryori RyuGin at No. 9.

The 'Highest New Entry Award' was presented to Bangkok’s Gaa, which secured the No. 16 spot on the Asia’s Best list. Located on the same narrow street as Gaggan, Gaa is led by Executive Chef Garima Arora, who was named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2019 and became the first Indian woman to earn a Michelin star the previous year.

The 2019 'Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants' list features 10 new entries.

Here is the complete list of 2019's winners:

1. Odette, Singapore

2. Gaggan, Bangkok

3. Den, Tokyo

4. Suhring, Bangkok

5. Florilège, Tokyo

6. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, Shanghai

7. Mume, Taipei

8. Narisawa, Tokyo

9. Nihonryori RyuGin, Tokyo

10. Burnt Ends, Singapore

11. The Chairman, Hong Kong

12. 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo, Hong Kong

13. Mingles, Seoul

14. La Cime, Osaka, Japan

15. Belon, Hong Kong

16. Gaa, Bangkok (New entry)

17. Indian Accent, India

18. Il Ristorante – Luca Fantin, Tokyo

19. Bo.lan, Bangkok

20. Le Du, Bangkok

21. Amber, Hong Kong

22. Nahm, Bangkok

23. Sazenka, Tokyo (New entry)

24. La Maison de La Nature Goh, Fukuoka, Japan

25. Sushi Saito, Tokyo

26. L’Effervescence, Tokyo

27. Jade Dragon, Macau

28. Paste, Bangkok

29. Fu He Hui, Shanghai

30. RAW, Taipei

31. Shoun Ryugin, Taipei

32. Jaan, Singapore

33. Les Amis, Singapore

34. Vea, Hong Kong (New entry)

35. Ministry of Crab, Sri Lanka

36. Wing Lei Palace, Macau (New entry)

37. Neighborhood, Hong Kong

38. Lung King Heen, Hong Kong

39. Nouri, Singapore (New entry)

40. Waku Ghin, Singapore

41. Toc Toc, Seoul

42. Locavore, Bali

43. Toyo Eatery, Manila (New entry)

44. Seventh Son, Hong Kong (New entry)

45. Quintessence, Tokyo

46. Dewakan, Kuala Lumpur (New entry)

47. Sugalabo, Tokyo

48. Sorn, Bangkok (New entry)

49. Corner House, Singapore

50. Ta Vie, Hong Kong