From a Nairobi farm-to-table experience to contemporary fine dining in Athens, these are the best international restaurants, as voted by our expert panel.
The Essence of Authentic International Dining
Authenticity is the heart of a truly exceptional restaurant experience. While there are countless eateries around the globe, few offer a combination of dynamic flavors, unmatched hospitality, and a unique atmosphere. Here, we celebrate the rare gems that provide unforgettable dining experiences.
The Global Tastemakers Awards
Food & Wine’s Global Tastemakers Awards is a celebration of diverse international restaurants. The winners span the globe, from an Iranian-inspired cafe in Bombay to a boundary-pushing pizzeria in Caserta. Whether Michelin-starred or family-run, these restaurants offer distinct experiences rooted in local cultures, sustainable ingredients, and culinary innovation.
Top 20 International Restaurants to Experience
1. Mérito – Lima, Peru
Venezuelan chef Juan Luis Martínez blends Peruvian and Venezuelan cuisine to create innovative dishes with Latin American roots. Located in Lima’s Barranco neighborhood, Mérito has quickly become a must-visit for food lovers.
2. Petermen – Sydney, Australia
Josh and Julie Niland’s second restaurant, Petermen, focuses on sustainable Australian seafood, offering a creative fin-to-tail experience that delights with each bite.
3. SodaBottleOpenerWala – Bombay, India
SodaBottleOpenerWala brings back the charm of early 20th-century Iranian cafés in Bombay, with a whimsical atmosphere and a menu full of Iranian staples and Indian street food.
4. Mezza Pagnotta – Ruvo di Puglia, Italy
This family-run restaurant reinterprets the traditional cuisine of southern Italy, emphasizing vegetables and wild herbs in creative and delicious ways.
5. Soil – Athens, Greece
Chef Tasos Mantis delivers a farm-to-table experience with Greek ingredients, blending them with Nordic culinary techniques at this Michelin-starred restaurant.
6. Celele – Cartagena, Colombia
Chef Jaime Rodriguez’s Celele offers contemporary Caribbean cuisine, using indigenous ingredients and recipes to craft modern interpretations of traditional dishes.
7. La Cocina de Humo – Oaxaca, Mexico
Chef Thalia Barrios Garcia creates an intimate dining experience with traditional Oaxacan dishes prepared over a wood-fired comal, offering a menu that evolves with seasonal ingredients.
8. Indigo – Arequipa, Peru
Located in the Qasa by Nomad Hotel, Indigo serves modern Peruvian cuisine, with artistic interpretations of classics like ceviche and lomo saltado.
9. Cultiva – Nairobi, Kenya
Cultiva is a rustic fine-dining restaurant with a farm-to-table ethos. Dishes are made from organic ingredients freshly harvested from the restaurant’s own farm in the Karen neighborhood.
10. Emazulwini – Cape Town, South Africa
Chef Mmabatho Molefe reinterprets Zulu and Nguni cuisine with a fine dining lens, offering an elevated experience rooted in African culinary traditions.
11. L’Evo – Toyama, Japan
Chef Eiji Taniguchi combines foraged plants and local ingredients in his remote restaurant, offering a unique dining experience that reflects both Japanese and French influences.
12. Teté Cocina de Barrio – Guadalajara, Mexico
With a zero-waste philosophy and no fixed menu, this avant-garde vegetarian restaurant offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience in Mexico’s second-largest city.
13. Wana Yook – Bangkok, Thailand
Chef Chalee Kader reinvents traditional Thai dishes at this Michelin-starred restaurant, offering an unforgettable 12-course tasting menu centered around regional rice varieties.
14. Beba – Montreal, Canada
Argentine brothers Ari and Pablo Schor combine Argentine culinary traditions with Quebecois ingredients, creating a unique fusion of flavors at Beba.
15. Dos Pebrots – Barcelona, Spain
Chef Albert Raurich delves into ancient Mediterranean culinary history at Dos Pebrots, offering inventive tapas inspired by recipes from the ancient Greeks and Romans.
16. Sait – Istanbul, Turkey
This upscale seafood restaurant offers Turkish mezze and fresh Aegean fish in an elegant setting, located in Istanbul’s Galataport district.
17. I Masanielli – Caserta, Italy
Master pizzaiolo Francesco Martucci elevates pizza-making with techniques like flash freezing and sous vide cooking, offering a dining experience that redefines traditional pizza.
18. Kotaro – Tokyo, Japan
This intimate izakaya offers a personalized dining experience with no set menu. Chef Kotaro Hayashi prepares inventive dishes based on customer preferences.
19. BiBi – London, UK
Chef Chet Sharma reimagines Indian dishes with playful small plates like Wookey-hole cheese papad and Lahori chicken, offering a refined yet casual dining experience in Mayfair.
20. Note – Dublin, Ireland
This bold wine bar/bistro offers a modern European menu with eclectic influences, including oysters from Connemara and Spanish chorizo.
Plus One: Dill – Reykjavík, Iceland
Dill was the first restaurant in Iceland to earn a Michelin star, with founding chef Gunnar Karl Gíslasson offering a transformative tasting menu that explores Icelandic ingredients and traditions.
Conclusion: A Culinary World to Explore
These 20 international restaurants provide extraordinary dining experiences, with each offering its unique combination of cultural heritage, innovative techniques, and a commitment to sustainability. Whether you’re looking for Michelin-starred cuisine or a cozy, family-run establishment, this list has something for every adventurous foodie.