Asador Etxebarri, a Basque grill, is named world's best restaurant 2026

A grill in the Basque Country just beat the world's top kitchens. Asador Etxebarri, run by Bittor Arginzoniz in Atxondo, has been named best restaurant in the world by The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026, announced on 4 November.

Last year it finished third. Table by Bruno Verjus in Paris took the crown in 2025. This time Gaggan in Bangkok came second and Alchemist in Copenhagen third.

There is more to celebrate in Spain. DiverXO, Dabiz Muñoz's restaurant, fell from fourth to ninth, while Enigma ranks 29th and ElKano 33rd. Other Spanish restaurants also made the list. The best French entry, Plénitude by Arnaud Donckele, came tenth.

Getting a table was already a challenge. Etxebarri has 35 seats, five services a week and a 300-euro tasting menu, plus à la carte dishes. Arginzoniz himself says that getting a table will now be "even more problematic".