The global fine dining scene has reached a new peak of diversity and excellence, with ten restaurants from eight different countries sharing the coveted number one spot in the prestigious LaListe ranking for 2026.
In a remarkable achievement for American gastronomy, two US restaurants have clinched a joint first place, proving the nation's culinary prowess extends far beyond fast food.
American Excellence on the Global Stage
SingleThread in Healdsburg, California, and Le Bernardin in Midtown Manhattan, New York City have both been awarded a near-perfect score of 99.5 out of 100, tying them for the top position. This prestigious list is the result of a comprehensive analysis of more than 1,100 international sources, including national and regional press, expert guides, and customer review sites.
SingleThread, a three-Michelin-starred establishment run by chef couple Kyle and Katina Connaughton, offers a unique farm-to-table experience. The restaurant, farm, and inn operates as one, with many ingredients sourced directly from its own land. The menu, heavily influenced by Japanese culinary traditions, changes daily but has featured inventive dishes like "strawberry-fish moriawase" and "heirloom pumpkin with Dungeness crab and citrus". Diners can expect to pay between $425 and $500 for the ten-course tasting menu, with wine pairings adding a further $300 to $1,500 to the bill.
Culinary Titans and Their Signature Creations
Across the country in New York, Le Bernardin has held three Michelin stars since the guide began rating the city's restaurants in 2005. Under the guidance of head chef Éric Ripert, the restaurant is a temple to top-tier seafood. Its most accessible offering is a four-course prix fixe menu starting at $210, where guests can indulge in delicacies such as thinly pounded yellowfin tuna with foie gras on a toasted baguette and seared langoustine with morels.
The other eight restaurants that share the number one ranking with these American giants are:
- Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl, Basel, Switzerland
- Da Vittorio, Brusaporto, Italy
- Guy Savoy, Paris, France
- Lung King Heen, Four Seasons Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
- Martín Berasategui, Lasarte-Oria, Spain
- Matsukawa, Tokyo, Japan
- Robuchon au Dôme, Macau SAR
- Schwarzwaldstube, Baiersbronn, Black Forest, Germany
A New Era of Global Gastronomy
LaListe commented that this shared podium for 2026 illustrates a "gastronomic world that is more diverse, competitive, and fluid than ever before." The organisation stated that the result demonstrates the global distribution of culinary excellence, the shift in centres of influence, and the emergence of a new international balance of taste.
This announcement, made on Thursday 27th November 2025, solidifies the position of these ten establishments as the current pinnacle of global dining, offering food lovers a definitive guide to the world's most exceptional culinary experiences.
