Finding the perfect place to eat can feel like a full-time job. With social media churning out “must-visit” spots every hour, how do you actually separate the viral fluff from the truly sublime? As we head into 2026, the global dining scene is moving away from the “overly conceptual” and leaning into something much more exciting: raw, unadulterated passion. Whether it’s a chef obsessed with a single ingredient or a tiny seaside shack doing one thing better than anyone else, the best restaurants right now are the ones with a soul.
We’ve scoured the globe – and a few hidden alleys closer to home – to bring you the definitive list of where you should be booking a table this year. From high-octane tasting menus in the Cotswolds to the freshest bowls in Wales, these are the spots making 2026 a very delicious year indeed.
1. Restaurant Journey, Cheltenham
If you think fine dining has to be stuffy, Restaurant Journey is here to prove you wrong. Tucked away behind an unassuming door in Cheltenham, this 16-seat “test kitchen” is the brainchild of Chef Jeff, a man who has clearly spent more time traveling the world than sleeping. The concept is simple but bold: a multi-course tasting menu that mirrors a literal journey across the globe.
You aren’t just getting a plate of food here; you’re getting a story. One minute you might be tasting “Memories of Malaysia” with flavors that transport you to a humid street market, and the next, you’re hitting “La Boca Nocturna,” an Argentinian-inspired steak dish that’s so rich it feels like a hug. Jeff’s background at heavyweights like The Fat Duck and Ynyshir shows in the technical precision – think wasabi balanced at sub-zero temperatures – but the atmosphere is pure fun. It’s intimate, loud, and entirely unpredictable. If you only book one flight-of-fancy meal this year, make it this one.
2. Peach Blossoms, Singapore
Singapore’s food scene is legendary, but Peach Blossoms is currently the one everyone is whispering about. Executive Chef Edward Chong is doing things with modern Chinese cuisine that feel like witchcraft. His signature “Marble Goby with Spicy Pineapple Sauce” recently took home top honors, and for good reason. The restaurant manages to feel incredibly upscale without losing that essential warmth that makes Chinese dining so special. It’s the kind of place where you go to celebrate a big life win and leave feeling like royalty.
3. Tiella, London
Early 2026 sees the arrival of Tiella in Bethnal Green, and the hype is already at a fever pitch. Dara Klein, one of the most exciting chefs in the UK right now, is finally opening her standalone spot on Columbia Road. If you caught her residency at the Compton Arms, you know what to expect: traditional, rustic Italian cooking that doesn’t try too hard because it doesn’t have to. The “bay leaf panna cotta” is already the stuff of legends. It’s the sort of neighborhood trattoria every city wishes it had – unpretentious, seasonal, and deeply comforting.
4. Hwaro, New York City
In a city that never stops eating, Hwaro is the newest “it” spot for those who love a bit of theater. Located near Times Square, this is a 13-course Korean chef’s-counter experience. You sit around a circular marble counter and watch the magic happen in a central kitchen. Chef Sungchul Shim is a master of the grill, and each course is a masterclass in fire and smoke. It’s fast-paced, high-energy, and exactly what New York dining should feel like in 2026.
5. Poke Shack, Cardiff
Let’s talk about Cardiff. While London often hogs the spotlight, the Welsh capital has been quietly building a formidable food scene, and Poke Shack is at the heart of the casual revolution. This isn’t just another assembly-line lunch spot. The quality of the fish here is staggering – think AAA-grade yellowfin tuna and Atlantic salmon that tastes like it was in the ocean five minutes ago.
What makes Poke Shack a must-visit in 2026 is their commitment to “no shortcuts.” Everything is gluten-free, and they avoid the cheap, seed-heavy oils that plague most fast-casual joints. The “Bowl of Champions” is the go-to: a massive, colorful heap of salmon, tuna, Galician shrimp, and yuzu avocado. It’s fresh, it’s vibrant, and it’s the perfect antidote to a rainy afternoon in South Wales. Plus, their mochi cheesecakes are dangerously addictive.
6. Sjøbua, Ålesund
Norway is having a massive culinary moment, and Sjøbua in the coastal town of Ålesund is the place to experience it. Located in an old fish-packing shed, the restaurant looks out over the water, giving you a front-row seat to where your dinner came from. The chefs here focus on “forgotten” Nordic techniques and hyper-local ingredients. If you’re a fan of seafood, the turbot here – cooked simply over open flames – will change your life. It’s rugged, beautiful, and unapologetically Norwegian.
7. de Mondion, Malta
Malta is finally getting the international recognition it deserves, and de Mondion is leading the charge. Perched atop the historic walls of Mdina, the views alone are worth the price of admission. But the food – a refined take on Mediterranean classics – is what keeps people coming back. In 2026, they’ve leaned even harder into regenerative agriculture, sourcing almost everything from local farmers. It’s fine dining with a conscience, served in one of the most romantic settings on the planet.
8. Impala, London
Meedu Saad, the genius behind Kiln, is opening Impala in Soho this spring, and it’s been years in the making. Drawing on his Egyptian heritage and extensive research trips across North Africa, Saad is creating a menu that feels entirely new for the London scene. Expect big, bold flavors, plenty of spice, and a focus on open-fire cooking. If his previous ventures are anything to go by, this will be the hardest table to book in the West End for the foreseeable future.
9. Muse by Tom Aikens, London
Tucked away in a tiny mews house in Belgravia, Muse by Tom Aikens is perhaps the most personal restaurant on this list. Tom Aikens has designed the entire experience around his own childhood memories. Each dish on the tasting menu has a name that sounds like a storybook chapter, such as “Conquering the Beech Tree.”
The space is incredibly intimate, with only a handful of tables and a kitchen counter where you can watch the chefs work with surgical precision. The “miso-licked monkfish” is a standout, but it’s the little details – the homemade butters, the foraged herbs, the storytelling – that make Muse so special. It’s a 10-course evocative journey that feels like a private dinner party hosted by one of the world’s best chefs. If you want to feel like the only person in the room, this is where you go.
10. Bonheur by Matt Abé, London
Taking over the legendary site of Le Gavroche was never going to be easy, but Bonheur has handled the transition with grace. Matt Abé, who spent nearly two decades working alongside Gordon Ramsay, has finally stepped into his own spotlight. The name means “happiness,” and the vibe is all about “warm, timeless escapism.” While the service is world-class, the food is surprisingly approachable – elevated French classics that focus on flavor rather than fuss. It’s the perfect closing chapter for our 2026 list: a restaurant that honors the past while looking firmly toward the future.
The dining world in 2026 isn’t just about what’s on the plate; it’s about how it makes you feel. Whether you’re sitting at a counter in NYC or a mews in London, the best meals are the ones that stay with you long after the bill is paid.