At Asador Etxebarri in Axpe, cooking centers on a wood fire, with different woods chosen for different ingredients. Chef Bittor Arginzoniz is known for grilling over charcoal and wood, and CNN has described the restaurant’s technique as revelatory. The restaurant opened in 1990, according to The New York Times. Its tasting menu costs €300 per person, including VAT and excluding drinks; everyone in the reservation must pay in advance. On 5 November 2026, The 50 announced its annual ranking at an awards ceremony in Lima, Peru, naming Etxebarri the world’s best restaurant. It succeeds Maido, the 2025 winner, which moved into the ranking’s “Best of the Best” hall of fame.
Gaggan in Bangkok is second, with Alchemist in Copenhagen third. Quintonil in Mexico City holds fourth place, followed by Wing and The Chairman, both in Hong Kong. Kjolle in Lima is seventh; Kadeau in Copenhagen climbed from 41st to eighth. DiverXO fell from fourth to ninth, while Plénitude in Paris completes the top 10. The 50, formerly known as World’s 50 Best, presented the list. Deloitte served as the official independent adjudication partner for its voting process.
Prices and extra charges
Wing has the lowest listed tasting-menu price at €225, before mandatory charges. The restaurant adds a 10% service fee and a further 10% per diner for tea and water. It recommends checking current rates before a visit. Quintonil charges €235; Kjolle’s menu is €255, with an optional drinks pairing for €199.
At Asador Etxebarri, the €300 menu excludes drinks and must be paid in advance for everyone in the reservation. Kadeau charges €335 for its tasting menu, with wine pairings ranging from €780 to €2,680; its alcohol-free pairing costs €290. DiverXO’s menu is €450, with drinks priced separately. Plénitude’s menus start at €475 and also exclude drinks.
Gaggan’s 22-course menu costs €427, plus a 3.2% booking fee. The restaurant accepts VISA and Mastercard, as well as JCB, but not American Express (AMEX). Dinner service runs from Thursday to Monday, and the minimum age is 18. Gaggan strongly advises against consuming cannabis before or during the meal. It says it may refuse admission to diners who do not follow that guidance.
Alchemist’s €2,400 experience
Alchemist charges €750 for its approximately 50-course “holistic dining” menu. Its Sommelier’s Table experience costs €2,400 and includes pairings with wines from selected producers, as well as coffee, tea and a digestif. The Chairman’s website does not list prices for its food.
